Is having 2 children much harder than having just one?

Question

We have 1, and are thinking about having another.

I am married and have a 2 year old.

Answer 1

i think that it is harder at first but once you get yourself and your children use to a routine it gets easier.....i have two girls that are 4 and 1...the age difference i thought would be a liittle difficult because i thought that my oldest would get jealous but instead she is more protective of her sister than jealous...it works good if you try to involve the older child in caring for the baby such as getting a new diaper for you or getting the babies pacifier....it makes them feel special and involved and they love to be called mommy's big helper....i only say big because it gives her the sense that she is a big girl and not a baby.....obviously though you have got to put in time with your older child also while the baby is sleeping or have daddy watch the little one and take him/her out to the park or someplace that he or she likes to go and make sure that daddy does the same with the older child...it does get stressful at times but it is well worth it .....the children will become playmates and have each other for support instead of just mom and dad also later on....i love having more than just one baby and i am expecting my third due in april.....anyways i hope that i have been of some help to you and best wishes to you and your significant other weather you decide to have another one or not.

Answer 2

well yes, it's a lot more time and commitment....but I'm sure you'll do fine :). just make sure your 2 year old also feels included, let him/her help you pick out some things for the baby, when the baby starts kicking let your 2 yr old feel your tummy, etc. and then when you actually have your second child, let your 2 yr old help out in "small" ways that will let him/her feel included and important to you and his/her brother or sister. This is probably more sentimentaly important to your oldest child right now but also make sure you have some time where you spend some time with each of them seperatly as well..... it sounds like a lot, and on some days it can be a little overwhelming, but before long you'll get used to it and it'll be as natural as you felt having one- and even better cause there's more to love =].

Answer 3

TWO IS MORE WORK!!

well I think it is harder depending on the child's personality....

ONE IS EASIER NO ONE TO FIGHT WITH!

I WANTED TO HAVE TWO CHILDREN SO MY BOYS WILL HAVE EACH OTHER..

Answer 4

I will never forget this line from the comic strip Baby Blues: One child and your a parent, 2 and your a referee. I laughed when I read it. Now that I have 2 kids (4&5yrs old) I agree whole heartedly. It's quite a change once the 2nd get there. The trying to teach the older how to handle the baby and everything after that. Good luck, either way you decide.

Answer 5

yes and no. I have a 15month old and an almost 3 year old. They were both surprises. And I wouldn't trade either of them in for anything in the world! But I will tell you this, I won't be having anymore anytime soon. Two is enough for me right now! I'll probably want to try for a boy in a few years though!

Answer 6

It depends on your circumstances. In general the 2nd baby is easier to care for because you have a better handle on the whole child rearing thing. If the children are spaced 3 or more years apart the older one can be kind of helpful if they choose. If they are closer together in age they may end up being playmates when they're older. It is not that much harder especially if you and your spouse has very normal/predictable hours. Some Moms or Dads decide after having two to stay home and that makes things much easier. Here's a football analogy to child-rearing that I find amusing and truthful.

When you have one kid you and your spouse are playing the "double team" defense. When you have two you're playing "man on man" defense. When you have three you're playing "the zone". When you have more than three it's all "prevent defense".

Answer 7

It is not that much harder. It just depends on your situation. Is your two year old fully potty trained? Does he/she still ask for a bottle or the "nin-nin" (breast feeding) ? Is your son/daughter on a sleep schedule, regular naps and bedtimes? Something that is easier when you have a second is knowing what you definitely need and what is just waste. You have a more streamlined way of thinking, like "I didn't even use blank that I got at my baby shower" and such. Do you have additional help, like family and friends, to help make sure that the first childe doesn't feel neglected? Is your husband a team player? Does he help out now, like bathing, feeding, playing, doing laundry, washing dishes, ect.? If he doesn't, then having a second child right now may not be the best option; better wait until the first one is in school. Overall, having two isn't much harder than having one. It just requires quick thinking, preparedness, and humility. It just means you will have another "snugglebunny"!

Answer 8

don't know, fixin to find out I am due for my second sept. 17, my first is 2 1/2

Answer 9

depend on ages yes at first but it get easier if the same sex can wear handme downs girls tend to help mom when a new baby comes along also someone to play with

Answer 10

5 at home. The more the merrier. No sleep though. Tons of laughs 24/7.

Answer 11

I have two kids.....aged seven and four.....and two on the way. And it is hard. I was only sixteen when my second was born and it was REALLY hard. Especially when you are single. My son, Jacob, was very jealous of Grace. But I think if you were marrioed it would be easier. I made a few mistakes in my life.