Dad breaks down in tears—the transition to 2 kids is harder than he ever expected

Transitioning from one to two kids can be beautiful, but it’s also brutally hard for many parents. One dad’s raw, emotional video about the struggle of juggling a newborn and a heartbroken toddler has struck a nerve, racking up 3.4 million views on Instagram and several comments from parents who deeply relate.

In the video, creator Eric Jensen, visibly exhausted and holding back tears, opens up about the emotional toll of trying to be present for his preschool-aged son and his newborn baby.

“I’m not really sure how people go about handling the transition from one to two kids. It’s really hard in so many different ways,” he says.

His biggest heartbreak? Seeing his firstborn struggle.

“I can really tell that my son is having a hard time. His whole life has changed. This morning, I was like, ‘Hey, let’s go on a walk, and we’ll bring the baby with us.’ Super fun, like, we can just do a little brother walk, right? And he’s like, ‘No, please. Just us. You’re my best friend. Please. Just hang out with me, please.’”

If that doesn’t gut-punch every parent who has ever worried about their firstborn feeling left out, nothing will.

The overwhelming guilt of splitting yourself in two

For many parents, the shift from one to two kids is one of the most challenging transitions in family life. You love your newborn desperately, but you also mourn the undivided attention you used to give your first child. The guilt cuts deep.

“Every time we leave our little baby, I die a little bit inside,” the dad confesses. “It’s just so hard for me to miss out on those little moments.”

Commenters flooded the post with support, sharing their own experiences.

@kiergaines admitted: “The jump from 1 to 2 is insane. 3 years later and we’re still constantly adjusting. It gets more manageable with time, idk if it ever becomes easy.“

@matthewcookeofficial offered encouragement: “

Sounds like you’re doing great. The children are fortunate to have such a loving father.

“

Related: Dad learns he’s having twins—his reaction is an emotional rollercoaster

This stage feels endless—but it won’t last forever

At Motherly, we’ve heard from countless parents who describe the first few months after baby #2 as an emotional whirlwind. In an article on adjusting to life with two kids, one mom summed it up:

“I was so worried then about the unknown and making my daughter “share” my husband and me and the life we’d all built together, but we didn’t know what we didn’t know, and that’s that I had nothing to worry about.”

Experts suggest that including your older child in baby care—giving them little “helper” jobs, setting aside one-on-one time, and reassuring them that their place in the family hasn’t changed—can ease the transition. One viral comment even suggested sending a “gift” from the baby to their big sibling, with a note saying, “Dear Big Brother, thank you for sharing Mommy and Daddy with me. I can’t wait to grow up and play with you!”

Related: Daughter shares her exam results—her dad’s reaction brings the internet to tears

To the parents struggling with baby #2: You are not alone

As exhausting and emotionally draining as this stage is, one thing is clear: it gets better. 

So if you’re in the thick of it, overwhelmed and wondering how anyone manages two kids—know that you are not failing. You are growing. Your heart is stretching in ways you never thought possible. And someday, your kids will look back and see nothing but love.

For more support on parenting transitions, read this Motherly guide on making space for your firstborn after baby #2.