Which prepares you for the other better? Dogs for kids? Or kids for dogs?

[Adina P]

A fun article and a labradoodle is involved. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-belkin/parenting-and-dogs_b_1652...

I tend to agree with the author because I find dogs exponentially easier than kids -- I thought having had dogs before kids was gonna prepare me a ton!  Ummm...not so much.  The joys and trials of kids is so very different to me.  Similarities are there but far more differences.  Much less sleep, much more worrying, much more creativity required in discipline, cant leave them at home, more laughter even because their antics and verbal abilities change so much in two years, and more!  With dogs, I could follow a training protocol and get consistent results for all pretty easily with help from  my trainer.  They happily lay at my feet or nearby, they don't ask for more then food and head massages.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If it helps, my XDH was almost 10 years older than I am; he would have been 70 this year.

 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Okay so it was unusual!

[Adina P]

I agree and Clark does his share. What's hard is when baby is particularly attached to mommy or only wants comfort nursing...then there is a limit to how Daddy can help.  My 10 month old is a total momma's boy.  He is fine with Daddy if he can't see me.  But the moment he sees me I'm ALL he wants.  So I usually have him on my hip while Daddy helps with Natalie.  There's no escaping when kids double or triple =)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This reminds me of an old joke:

3-year-old Jesus fell down and skinned his knee. He started crying: "Mommy! Mommy! I got a boo-boo! I need you to kiss it!"

God called out from on high: "I'll kiss your boo-boo."

Jesus cried: "NO! Mommy do it!"

 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Adorable - love it.

My daughter was a Daddy's girl unless she wasn't feeling well than it was all me.

Come to think of it Daisy is the exact way - Daddy is her playmate but she is my baby when it's needy time.

[Adina P]

A lot of babies sleep...some scream (as does the 2nd baby of a friend of mine). I think you will do fine Allyson. The very fact you are worrying about this means you won't neglect the pooches. The trouble I had, and maybe it is because I'm more introverted, was that I'd be so worn out from trying to meet my baby's needs all night and most of the day that once I had a moment to myself I wanted NOBODY else needing me, nudging for a pet, barking, whining, etc. My patience for being needed was gone. It was a hard adjustment for me. I think it is better to have low expectations for what you can accomplish and give and then be pleasantly surprised if you have a baby that is 'easy' and it all falls together splendidly. Better than to expect it to be easy or that you can do it all the same as before. Sleep deprivation can be a monster.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Yes, DH and I have already have already discussed "daddy time" just like Karen said above.  I am probably overthinking it.  I did buy a cadillac jogging stroller that can turn on a dime and be used with one hand - really thinking about the dogs and so I could walk them at the same time :)  Choodle will be fine. Weird thing is Peri already hangs out on the rug in the nursery; we are pretty sure she may opt to sleeping in there with Charlotte when she comes.  Or the crying may drive her insane. Tacky won't be leaving our bed :)

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

All my friends and relatives say the first year is the hardest. You will get through it just fine, even if it means we get to see you a little less on DK. Just don't forget us!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Hmm, this conversation is giving me food for thought. I've never been completely sure if I really wanted kids, and try not to think of it much since it's not really an option anyway. I have to say though, most times when I go to visit friends and family with young kids it doesn't take long for me to get saturated with the chaos, the noise, the mess, the constant demands for the parents attention, the noise, the baby talk, the noise, etc. I make my exit early, dig in the purse for a bottle of advil, and thank my lucky doodles for my quiet, simple life. I hear it's different when they are your own kids. Perhaps the stars will align in the hubby and kids department one day, and if they do I'm certainly more prepared for it thanks to the doodles, but I'm pushing mid-30's and am finding myself more content then ever with life being just as it is.

[Adina P]

I've got TWO, and I still can barely handle the noise!  It's different with your own not because you don't notice the noise, but because you love 'em. 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Ha ha! it's true about not noticing. When the doodles get excited about visitors they might start rough housing in the living room. I can sometimes be completely oblivous when it's happening right in front of my eyes, while my guests are shocked, horrified, distracted, thinking they are fighting or something, and I don't even notice and continue on chatting and sipping my drink like it's not even happening. :o)

[Adina P]

Oh no I DO notice.  It is just more excusable because I love them.  But one thing I was NOT prepared for is how noisy motherhood is.  I don't mind the volume of talking (well unless I'm trying to take 5 seconds out to think) but the amount of crying, whining, fussing, crying, whining, whining, whining.... It is a lot!