Thinking of Having Another Baby

Mine are 17 months apart and are now 2 and 3.5. It's certainly crazy at times and takes a bit of time to get settled into a routine for different parts of the day, but it happens and things do get easier. In fact, many days I feel it's easier to have both rather than just 1 now. My oldest is in preschool 2 am's a week and my younger one is lost without his big sister those mornings. They chat in the car and sing together and entertain each other much of the time. Other times they so fight, but still can't resist playing together 2 minutes later.

Hi T.,

I had two, that were 15mos apart, I enjoyed having them close together,Then I had one 4yrs later and I found it harder to get back in the swing of things, then I had twins 5yrs after the third that wa a little hard but I had the other children that would help out with them and keep the occuppied when I had to do things around the house. Good luck K.

I have two under 16 months, yes its hard sometimes but you can do it. I really only have my husband to help me out and by the evenings i am ready to pull my hair out, but my two boys are already showing signs of a close bond so it makes the craziness worth it. I think as long as you realize it is going to be hard the first few years and are prepared for that, it will be fine

I have two boys, exactly 18 months apart. It's totally insane! My oldest is 3.5 years old and my youngest is two. They fight constantly, and I feel more like a referee than a mother. It's more like having twins, than brothers sometimes I think. I find it very difficult. They do play together, but more often than not, they end up physically fighting, and have to be pulled off each other and seperated for a bit. It's a decision that's totally up to you. If you feel that it's something you can handle, than by all means go for it -but expect the early years to be more difficult than for siblings with further spacing. they say it pays off after the first few years, so maybe it'll get easier, but right now, it's quite trying! Good luck with your decision.

Mine are 19 months apart. It is hard at times but I wouldn't change a thing.

My two youngest are about 21 months apart.
They are now 10 and 12. I found that when they were younger, they were the best of friends and as long as they were in a secure area, I could leave them for 5 minutes while I completed some task. Best of luck to you!

I have three boys who are ages 16, 17 and 18 (about to turn 19). It's certainly crazy at times, and for one year they were in three different schools. Oy! Was that a scheduling nightmare! I never had much help from people outside of the family, and my husband, who is a CPA, works about 100+ hours a week from January 2 to April 15. While there were definite times of insanity in the past, now that they are young men, it's great to see how close they are. They know each other's friends, they hang out together, and yeah, they're loud and eat a lot. My eldest dates a girl in my youngest's class, and they all attended the same grade school and high school together. So now I have the element of girls the same age mixed in with the hang-out crowd.

I wouldn't change any of it. Not only are they close and have social lives that intersect, as we approach the time that they are moving out of the house (the oldest is moving out in June), I'm also glad that I have had all of this parenting lumped together, and will have college tuition all paid for and done with before I'm age 50. I love them all very much, but I can't even begin to tell you how satisfied and fulfilled I feel when I see that they are so capable and independent, honorable young men. When they were little I didn't even want to think about them moving away from me and not being in every minute of my life. But now I can see the real payoff to parenting ... the satisfaction of a job well done as they all move out into the world to be responsible citizens. And I'm also very grateful that they will all soon be adults together and will support each other in the "outside world".

mine are 18 months apart. 4 and 1/2 and 3 now. Its just now starting to become easy. As baby's it was fine until the youngest started walking and then I was going one way or the other. Even know it gets hard sometimes but its alot easier than before. Its alot of work and alot harder when you have 2 under 2 but yours will be older than mine was when the new baby was born. Good Luck

We have 4 boys the first two are almost exactly 2 yrs. apart (4/18/96 & 4/2/98), then our next two are about 2.5 yrs. apart (4/9/02 & 12/27/04) I think it's great they always have the best kind of friend..their brother. All 4 boys are very close and get along well together! Best wishes on whatever you decide & God Bless!

Hello T.,
I had my son 1-20-04 and my lil girl 1-25-05,they are approx 22 months apart,she was a total surprise but I believe she was meant to be here (long story lol)and I won't lie the 1st months are extremely hard I honestly think twins would've been easier,but my husband works 13 hrs a day,travels and is out of the home a few days a week and works 6days and I was a sahm,(only been back work 2 weeks now part time)but I think its the best way to go.Sure its double diaper duty and bottle duty but when the 2nd one is a lil older they always have a playmate,and seeing them interact with each other and learn from one another is priceless and getting dble the baby hugs and once I had system in force its smooth sailing for the most part, they are finially on the same nap schedule, they bath together,play together,my 3 y/o even likes to feed her, although she doesnt agree with that to much,you will go crazy but just temporarily and at the end of the day your sanity coomes back just for a few hours until the next day starts but in the end its all worth it!!!!! good luck and let me know what happens!!!! C.

Hey T.! My daughter and son are 17 months apart, 4 and 2.5 and I love it! My daughter was a very good baby and she played quietly, imaginatively and independently so her personality made me think that she would be an only child and wouldn't take news of a baby brother too well. Boy was I wrong, she has been my little helper since day one and enjoys being the big sister! They are so close, best friends, and do everything together! It's also great because since they're so close you remember the dos and don'ts because it's still fresh on your mind as I've heard other mothers where it's been years since their last child and feel out of sorts and have to re-learn.

I myself am self employed so I understand the consideration you must make of another element in the balance of career and family. The plus side is that you can set your own hours to work around your family. If you do decide to have 1 more, there's nothing wrong with working hard now and then slowing down and taking off for a while or working a few hours a week once the baby is here. You could potentially put in extra hours now and make enough to sustain the time you may take off in the future. If all goes as planned you would have plenty of help for a few months.

Just talk about it more with your husband, pray, and may you be blessed in whatever decision you make!

P.S. Of five children, the last three (me, then 16 mos. later my brother and then 19 mos. later my sister) are all pretty close!

I am the mother of two wonderful boys ages 13 months and 24 months. It was difficult at first and can still be a challenge most days but I wouldn't trade it for the world. My boys are so close. They play so well toghether and look after each other very closly. It seems that this is something possible for you if you really want it. You have lots of help and support and that is important with children this close together. It will also help that you are able to stay home a lot. I hope I was able to ease your mind a little. Good luck with your decision.

I have 3 kids that are 2 to 3 years apart. Ages 6,3,1 1/2. It is easier if they are close in age because you get the potty training done faster. Kids lead by example from their brothers or sisters. My youngest learned faster from my daughter on how to crawl and walk just be watching her. I don't think it is crazy to do that. It is just a little bit harder for the first few months until you get use to it. I wish you the best of luck.

L. R

T.,

I work from home as the office support for my husband's business so I am on the phone quite a bit. My kids are 4.5, 2, and 3 months. If I had it to do over again, I personally would have waited to put a greater age distance between them. IF you have a lot of support, from your husband, sister, friends, church, etc., than it's totally do-able without losing your mind. My primary problem is the very tough choice between constantly spending quality time with the kids (that's what I'd like to do!) or taking care of the business duties so that we all have a place to sleep, food to eat, etc. Right now my attention is split between business and kids and I'm not sure it's benefitting anyone!

My toughest parenting challenge so far with having the 3 month old and the 2 year old so close together has been potty training. Inevitably, every time the 2 year old had to use the potty, I was feeding or diapering the baby. Because of that, it took several months longer than it probably would have to get the 2 year old reliably potty trained.

Best of luck in your decision. Children are always a blessing regardless of timing, but remember that it is truly your choice. If you feel your support system will be there for you and you want to do it, I say go for it!

K.

Hi T.! I have 3 children : 6, 2 and 7 months. Of course it will be stresssful at times but I think it's worth it. My last two are girls, so I glad they're close in age so they will grow up closely. Go for it! I wish you much success!!!

My first and second are 20 months apart and the 2nd and 3rd are 25 months apart and I love it! They are still interested in the same toys, activities etc. Having them close can be a challenge at times when they are little, but it is soooo wonderful.

My girls are 20 months apart. It is a lot of work, but there are benefits. They are 2.5 years and 10 months now, and they like the same toys and videos and enjoy each other. I've read, and this has been true in my case, that when the older child is under two, there is less of a chance of jealousy. My older daughter was great with the baby when she was born. I think she knew her life had changed, but she didn't realize it was because of the baby. She accepted her with no problems other than some acting out that would be expected with any big change.

As far as work, just make sure you've got enough child care and try to anticipate your workload with the kids as best as you can. I worked from home nights and weekends up until recently. It just became too much with the two kids and my husband's traveling. We really spent no time together as a family because I was working whenever he was home. It's a tough balance, but it always is with kids.

Good luck with your decision!

I'm pregnant with baby number two and she's due June 28th. That will make my kids about 27 months apart. Everyone I know that has kids that are close in age tell me it's perfect timing. I have friends with kids who are 17-19 months apart and that seems a bit too close for me, but two years seems perfect. I'm the nursery coordinator at my church so I see all kinds of age differences in siblings. Two years seems to work out really well for most people.

I have 5 kids. None of them are more than 23 mo apart. They are 6, 5, 3, 2, and 3 mo. 17 mo apart, 23 mo apart, 18 mo apart and 21 mo apart.

They are all really good friends and they are close BUT, it's not always sunshine and roses. They fight like brothers fight and sometimes its get very crazy. Would I suggest having two kids 24 mo apart...absoloutly!!! All the good definitely outweighs any bad!!

I only have one baby at this point who is 8 months old, so I can't give any input on the parenting part, but me and my brother are 2 years apart. It's great. I always had someone to talk to and play with and as we got older we were always together. We had the same friends and alot of the same interests. It was great (and still is) knowing there is always a family member you can talk to and relate to. I plan on having another baby by the time my son is 2 because I would love for my children to be as close as me and my brother are. Hope this helps.

I have 3 kids each are a year and a half apart. They are now 13, 12 and 10 years old. I think it's fairly easier to have them closer together rather than so spaced. My kids are all with in the same group of friends (starting to branch off now with jr high coming in to play), they are closer too. It's not that hard. Don't forget you can take on other forms of working from home to supplement your income as well! There are tons of business' that are direct sales that offer free or low cost start ups that include websites! What ever you do decide make sure it's right for both of you and your family.
Good Luck
M.
Http://mollysshoppingsecrets.bravehost.com

I have a 3 1/2 year old boy and my daughter is 9 1/2 months old. They are almost exactly 2 1/2 years apart. His bday is 12/24/77 and her bday is 6/2/06. I love having them alittle bit close together. I think it is wonderful for them to grow up together. As they get older, the age difference is even less and they will hopefully be the best of friends. My sister and I are 2 yrs 4 months apart and although we did fight as kids (they all do) we are VERY close now. She is my best friend. She just had her first daughter (age 2 1/2 months) We are very excited that our girls are only 7 months apart and will get to grow up together. My husband and I haven't decided if we are/aren't having a third but if we do, I would like them to be about the same distance apart (2-3 years) This 2 1/2 year age difference was wonderful for me. It was enough time that my son was hitting pretty independant and potty trained. I don't think I would have wanted them to be much closer together. I like having extra time with my son in his early days for just him. The same goes for my daughter. I would wait for her to be out of her "baby" stages before trying again. For me it isn't just planning on when the baby would be born. I have to take in to consideration my pregnancy as well. I am VERY sick when I am pregant (the whole time)!!! I wouldn't be able to be pregnant and give my little one the time she needed if she was too young. Now that I have two I may wait alittle longer this time.

Anyway, sorry to ramble. I don't think you are crazy. I think having them alittle close is good. If you can have your little one potty trained before the new ones arrival, it will make your life much easier. I had my son potty trained right after he turned 2. It was such a relief to not have to worry about diapers for two kids or have to worry about potty training while taking care of a new infant!!!!

Good Luck and best wishes with what ever you decide.

Mel

Mine are 12 months apart, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I admit that the second one was not planned, but they are very close and great playmates. The first 3 months were easy, because the baby slpet all the time. The next 6 months were a lot harder but doable. After that everything was fine. I also notice that because my youngest is always around the older one, she picks up on things a lot quicker.

I have three boys but htey are about 5 years about. My youngest and oldest are 10 years apart and he helps me alot with the youngest. So I think you should have no problem with having them so close. My mom had my brother and sister are 13 months a part and they get along well. SO I think you will be doing ok. I stay at home mom also but I live it because I am here when they need me. So do what you think is right for you and your husband.

Hi! My kids are soon to be 13M, 9.5G, 2.5M, and 1.5G... My younger two are barely 14 months apart! I love it!! They play together and keep eachother happy... The flip side is they fight and the aggrevate eachother!! The older two kids do help quite a bit, out of choice!!

But truthfully the only one who can answer the question for you is YOU and your DH!!

Mine are 2 years apart...10-12-14 now...and even tho the 3rd was a shock, I wouldn't have had it any other way. I always worked full time and had a helpful husband when they were young. Now, they help me since Dad died. It's busy till out of diapers, but now, they are so close. Good luck, and enjoy every day with them. W.

I am a 24yr old mother of a Daughter who turned 2 in january and i just had my son in feb. Having two kids that are two years apart so far isnt really that hard. You just have to try and get the newborn on a schedule from the get go that coincides with the 2yr old. It is definitly a blessing having them so close, My daughter is already creating a bond with him! And think of it this way people do it all the time, you can definitly handle it!!! Good luck

my son is 7 months old, and im currently 4 1/2 months pregnant.. they're birthdays will only be days apart and only 1 yr apart from each other.. this pregnancy wasnt planned but im pro-life... im really scared, but know everything will be alright!..

i say if u think u can handle it, why not??? at least ur newest ur middle one, wont grow up playing by him/herself ;)..

All 3 of my children are close in age. I have twins that are 1 minute apart and a daughter that is 2 yrs 3 months younger than them. At age 7 and almost 5,it is a real blessing that they do play so well together. It is good too because it is hard to arrange times for outside friends to come over to play.