Beyoncé is pregnant with baby number 2!!

Queen Bey herself broke the internet with her pregnancy announcement made via her official Instagram page. (She was the only thing that kept anything related to politics off my news feeds for a solid four hours).  As a mom of 4, I can attest that there is nothing sweeter nor more beautiful than giving birth.

Once you’ve had a child, and have managed to raise them without doing serious damage (thus far at least), you can be pretty confident that once your second arrives, you have got this parenting thing down to a science. However, even when you’re Beyonce, there are still things you need to know in order to be prepared for welcoming your 2nd (and in her case 3rd) little blessings into the world. Whether it’s having to worry about whether or not your firstborn will be okay with a little friendly competition. Or worrying about being able to split yourself and time three ways; these are things parents worry about once another new addition is added to the family.

Here are a few important (and not widely talked about) tips that 2nd-time moms like the Queen herself,  should consider.

5 Things All Second Time Moms Should Know, Even If You’re Beyoncé 

Get in the habit

You can’t really practice parenting two kids until the second actually arrives. But you can practice getting a routine together if you don’t already have one. If your first doesn’t have a steady bedtime, now is a great time to get one. Do you have trouble getting out the house in the morning with one kid?  I can tell from experience it won’t get any easier with two, so it’s best that you start working on that now as well. Working full time, and already stressed about dinner being late, baths being done and not losing your sanity? Practice meal prepping on Sundays to see if that will help ease your load. If you have friends or family members with little ones, ask if you can babysit for a day;or if you dare overnight a few times throughout your pregnancy, to see how well you can handle things.

Don’t let anyone scare you

Parenting multiple kids can be a daunting task, but it’s not going to be the end of the world as some may lead you to believe. Some experience trouble with their firstborn being jealous and some don’t (in my case it didn’t happen until we had #4). Like with being a first-time mom, the stories of not being able to take a shower or getting any sleep become more overdramatic. People love to tell horror stories about how hard it is, and while that may be the case for some, it’s not the norm. Once you and your spouse become outnumbered by kids, then it can become a tad bit more difficult to manage at times, but if you’ve got a routine down, among other things it’s not going to be too hard.

Also, there is the perception that you can’t get your body back after multiple kids and that’s not true. You don’t have to have the money of a celebrity to get back into shape. If you want, you’ll work for it.

Don’t forget your partner

A new baby can be stressful on many marriages/relationships. It’s important that you and your significant other take time for one another.

Don’t become a martyr

You do not have to have the combined half billion of the Carter family, but remember, it’s still important to remember to ask for help. As parents, it is easy to fall into the trap of doing it all alone; guess what? You don’t have to. There is no reason for you to become sleep deprived, not take showers, or not eat if you can help it. Of course, there are instances where you may not have absolutely anyone to turn to, but even in a time like this, it’s important for parents to build a village around them consisting of trustworthy people they can lean on when they need it.

Capture every moment possible

Kids 2-4 have fallen victim to the empty baby book, and #4 doesn’t even have a single picture up on the wall of her, even though I take photos every single day. While it may not be important in the moment, as they get older, you will want to have these to look back on.  *Also, mom please remember to get a photo with your kids at least once every now and then*

Overall, don’t let the most exciting time in your life, turn into one of worry. Adding a new baby will have it’s trying moments, but with the right amount of patience, you’ll get through it.

Natasha Brown

Love of impromptu dance parties, 80’s cartoons, and horizontal life pauses (aka naps); Natasha Brown is a stay at home mom of 4 kids, and wife to one lucky guy! In her spare time, she is co-editor of Grits & Grace, as well as editor for The Mother Hustler Blog and Creative Director for the Mother Hustler podcast.

www.themotherhustlerblog.com