My husband and I have a son and he just turned 1 year old. My husband told me last night he does want to start trying for another as soon as I want to. I do want to have another baby, I'm just unsure how long to wait. I think next spring so the children will be about 3 yeas apart. What has your experience been? How far apart are your children? Was is planned that way? Would you change it?
2006-08-14 05:15:14 · 21 answers · asked by Jacob's Mommy (Plus One) 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
My boys are 16 months apart (my older son was 6 months old when I conceived his little brother).
The pregnancy was rough. I had an infant to take care of, plus I was pregnant on top of it, so I was constantly tired. After my younger son was born, it was still rough. My older son was 16 months old, starting his Terrible Twos early, and didn't understand who his brother was. Things were OK for a while, then my younger son started teething. He has always been a very needy, clingy baby, whereas his other brother was very independent. Anyway, they're 29 months and 13 months now, and quickly becoming best friends. It's funny...now that my 13 month old can walk, he's starting to chase his older brother, and his brother doesn't know what to do. LOL
At first, I wondered if I was going to make it. Seriously...twice the amount of laundry to do, trying to cut up food for a toddler PLUS mix and feed the baby his bottle, get my older boy to go to sleep when I had his screaming newborn brother in my arms, when one of them pooped, the other one inevitably did, trying to get two kids downstairs and into their carseats, etc. Don't get me wrong...my husband did help, but he worked nights, so he would leave for work shortly after dinner. On more than one occasion, I thought I was on the verge of a breakdown (Oh...my younger son had colic...forgot to mention that.)
Now that they're older, I'm SO glad it worked out this way. We didn't plan either of our kids, but this way really was best for us. Our older son has a brother and a playmate, and he can pass on his sneaky little tricks to his baby brother, LOL!
2006-08-14 09:11:43 · answer #1 · answered by brevejunkie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have two 9 years olds(twins), a 5 1/2 year old and a 2 1/2 year old. I planned it that way(not the twins part) so that the older child would be potty trained before I had the next. I just did not want to buy two sizes of diapers at once. They all get along fine and the older school aged children help out there little brother in kindergarten and I hope he will do the same for his little sis.
2006-08-14 06:30:24 · answer #2 · answered by rhlkale 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My 2 girls are 18 months apart. Although I love that they are so close and do everything together, the first 2 years were a huge challenge. To me, it was hard having them so close together and it was not planned, it just happened that way.
We are expecting #3 and I think that this is the perfect time. My oldest will be 5 when the baby arrives and her sister will be 3 1/2. They can be a true older sibling to their brother or sister and the baby can be the baby for a while. I think we will spoil him/her like crazy and the girls will have a real, live baby doll to play with.
The best of luck in your decision! Only you and your husband know what is right for your family :)
2006-08-14 07:53:22 · answer #3 · answered by Jen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think is really up to you two. I think waiting long or having them close has there good and bads. My first is 10-1/2yrs old and I just had my second who will be 4mths old next week. Do I regret? No, I don't at all. I know right now they are not going to be that close because of their age but eventually they will be. They will always know that they have one another. I have two sis and we are about 10 years apart too and we are very close. I think it also helps on how the parent raise you. Now, I would just wait at least 2-3 years before having another one. It was not planned and I wouldn't change it. Hey, now I have a built in babysitter and it will be for free too.
2006-08-14 06:05:40 · answer #4 · answered by Strawberry 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I only have a singleton, but my mother had her kids pretty far spaced - like every time a kid went into school, it was time for another. So I was 6 when my sister was born, and 11 when my brother was born.
Personally, I think that's too big a gap. However, I think that people who don't wait at least till the first baby is sleeping through the night, finished teething, walking & talking, are NUTS.
So I would say that about 3 to 3.5 is a good gap.
2006-08-14 05:22:05 · answer #5 · answered by Brutally Honest 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My kids are 13 months apart, they were not planned that way, just happened. I would not change that for the world because we are now trying to conceive and having problems getting pregnant. I have heard that waiting 18 months between children gives your body time to heal and replenish itself. So I guess that would make the kids about 2 1/4 years apart? Anyway, good luck!!
2006-08-14 05:38:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well I have a 3 month old son and a 1 1/2 year old stepdaughter I look at it that you just have to think you don't want to wait real long where once you get one out of diapers and losing your sleep you are having another but you dont want to close where it is hard on you because you can only do so much. I think that you have a good time picked out if you wait till he is 3.
2006-08-14 05:22:04 · answer #7 · answered by cuteswim_gurl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I only have one son...so I don't know from experience as a mother. But as a daughter...my mom and dad had my sister and I one-year and 24 days apart. Now, my sister and I argue...which I think is normal for siblings to do. Growing up with her and having her in school with me was a pain at times but I wouldn't change it for the world, I always knew she'd be there if I needed her. I recently asked my parents how they did it...thinking it'd be hard...and they said that they thought it was a lot easier. We stayed in diapers together...we reached the same milestones pretty much together...and we could always play together because of the fact we were the same age. I would think it'd be harder the further you had kids apart because the kids can't occupy themselves. A five year old isn't going to play baby puzzles as a baby isn't going to play five year old games. If you had them closer they could play by themselves together and you wouldn't have to worry about occupying them both or the older one getting jealous. I don't know if this helped you at all...but I guess this is my best advice.
2006-08-14 05:31:52 · answer #8 · answered by .vato. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son is 3 1/2 years old...I planned it to an extent. I wasn't sure if I wanted anymore kids when he was first born then when I decided that I did my husband and I decided that 3-4 years would be ideal because our son is old enough to understand what is going on and has enough independence and can "help" out with his little sister. We are expecting our little girl to debut any day now and her big brother is very excited and VERY proud!
2006-08-14 09:23:44 · answer #9 · answered by totspotathome 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my children are 14 years old and 4years old 18 months old and 4 months old i waited a long time after the first but then i had them real close i think at least 3 years apart is good becasue it gives each kid the attention they may need and helps prepare them for a sibling...i dont regret having them the way i did i just wish i could eaqually give them there time for them .... especially with the two youngest ones its hard and i am a single parent so things get tough at times and i wish there were 3 of me...good luck but no matter what the age kids are a gift enjoy them all
2006-08-14 05:56:45 · answer #10 · answered by tawnya3kids 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋