Three Shoes, One Sock and No Hairbrush: Everything You Need To Know About Having Your Second Child

"I thought this book was fantastic for helping you think about possible issues with having a 2nd child. My first was an easy baby - very smiley, sleeps well, feeds well etc and its easy to assume no.2 which is due in a few weeks could be the same. However this book has made me far more realistic about the fact that no.2 could be a grumpy, poor sleeper etc and the many other issues that could come with a second baby. Don't read it if you are the sort of person who frets or panics though - it will only make you worry. But if you are the sort of person who likes to think about what could happen and possible issues in advance so that if they occur, you realise its "normal" then this is a fantastic book."
~ Written on 2008-01-07

"I have just stopped reading this book. I am 7 months pregnant and not in total control of my emotions. My expectation from this book was to have some hints, tips, real life accounts of mothers of two. I wanted to hear about the ups and downs of having a second child. There are far too many negatives for my taste and have found reading this very depressing. My husband has suggested burning the book this evening. "
~ Written on 2007-11-06

"I found this book when I was pregnant with my second child and was having panics about 'how do I put both children to bed at the same time' 'who do I look after first if both are crying?' etc. It made me feel that my concerns were normal and that it is all achievable. I actually found it quite funny and saw each individual's experiences as just that - an individual experience (perhaps more extreme than the average but still relevent).

After experiencing jealously from my eldest for the first time when my baby was 7 months, I picked it up again, and found it helpful. I certainly find having 2 children much harder than 1, and this book acknowledges that and gives useful pointers for how to help.

Like all parenting books, you need to take out of it what is relevent to you. I recommend it to all prospective mums of 2!"
~ Written on 2007-08-30

"I read most of this book when I was pregnant with my second, and it really did me a dis-service. I should have put it down but kept on reading in the hope it would become more positive at some point. I guess there were pockets of positivity, but on the whole this book scared me witless about how I would (or wouldn't!) cope with a baby and a toddler. I was particularly upset by the suggestion that I would probably fall out of love with my first born when the new baby arrived...

My guess is that this book is probably useful once you actually have two, especially if you're having a horrible time, because it shows you're not alone when the going is tough. But I really wouldn't reccommend it to an expectant mum....its a bit like telling a first time mum all sorts of details about how awful giving birth can be. Firstly, its not like that for everyone, and secondly being scared to death in advance doesn't really help, does it? "
~ Written on 2007-07-25

"I was bought this book by a friend a few months after my second child was born. I found it invaluable and helped me realise that I was not alone in coping with a roller coaster of emotions. My first child had been a demanding baby and this I felt was sufficient preparation for child number two. How wrong was I! My first born found it incredibly difficult to cope with his little sister. I felt this book was insightful and most importantly provided valuable reassurance at a time when I was at my most vulnerable. "
~ Written on 2007-04-15