Know how to count to 10 slowly ... ha ha, only messing with you (in a nice way!) I'm finding it a challenge some days, while the majority of the time both DSs are great - the age gap between my boys is 20 months.

I was fortunate that my parents were here for DS2's first three weeks, plus I have a very hands-on husband. So, I guess firstly I'd suggest you don't knock back any offers of (good) help if someone you know and trust is in a position to help you out. It will give you a little bit of breathing space that you may find very welcome in those first couple of weeks.

Um, some tips (and I'm still learning as I go!) ...

- It will take a few weeks to get yourself into the rhythm of having two littlies, so don't be hard on yourself or place undue pressure on yourself re: housework etc

- Try and organise yourself as much as possible beforehand (maybe a few frozen meals ready and a stocked-up pantry if you can)

- Before bub arrives, try and get DS1 into as solid a routine re: bedtime etc as you can and do your best to stick to it after bub arrives. That way DS1s world won't be rocked quite as much once the new bub arrives. And make any changes you need to make well before DS2 arrives (in our case we had to stop laying down with DS1 while he went to sleep as I didn't think it would be practical for me to lay down with him to sleep - could be up to 20-30 mins - while I had a newborn howling for food etc).

- My DS1 wasn't interested in drawing etc while I fed DS2, so () the TV then became our friend. Plus DS1 often brought me a book to read him, which I was happy to do. The TV will stop being our friend when DS2 is a little older ...

- Don't feel too guilty if you can't cuddle DS1 or whatever when DS1 immediately wants it. I wasn't prepared for how guilty I initially felt for not spending as much time with DS1 but the reality is, you can't focus entirely on DS1 while BFing etc. And you make up for it as best you can when DS2 is asleep etc. I found there was a transition period and we all had to adjust. Which we did, relatively easily.

- Trust yourself and your parenting skills, and recognise up front that some (most) days will be diamonds, some will be coal. But try and keep it all in perspective - at the end of the day you'll have a beautiful family and two boys who will grow up close in age and hopefully be close.

FWIW, my DS1 is brilliant with DS2. And although he sometimes likes to lay on him and take his dummy he thinks the sun shines out of DS2s backside. At the moment, anyway. And DS1 hasn't tested me or been overtly naughty while I've been BFing etc All in all, he coped with the arrival of his brother very well. As I'm sure your DS will too.

All the best!