I will be having my second baby in April and he/she will be just less than 2 years younger than my current little boy. What do I need to know about having kids this close together? I am very excited but imagine it is going to also be quite a challenge with a newborn when I have another one that is still so little; and then as they get older I imagine it will be great that they can play together, but am sure jealousy and fighting will some into play too...
Thanks for your advice and tips!
2006-11-03 06:54:26 · 14 answers · asked by Finnale 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I have a four and a six year old. I am married now but I was alone until about 3 years ago. If I can do it by myself you can do it. the only problem I have now is the fighting because my youngest can get around better he aggravates my oldest opposed to when he was 1 and 2 and didn't care.
2006-11-03 06:59:57 · answer #1 · answered by keyab 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have two children who are 2 1/2 years apart. The first obstacle I ran into was my older child couldn't understand why his baby sister wasn't "ready for play with" when I brought her home. I had to keep a close eye on him because he would do things like push her swing too hard, etc. They learn very quickly and before you know it they bond. Also, am important thing is to make sure you show your 2 year old as much attention as the new baby is getting from outside the family. Many older children get jealous because of the attention the new baby is getting. Keep your two-year old involved and make him part of your celebration.
I think the biggest struggle for parents with children close in age is that both are in diapers, both may need a highchair at the same time, etc.
Once you get yourself on some type of schedule, you will get the heck of it and in the meantime your babies will bond and play together well. By the time they are teenagers, they become partners in crime! Good luck!
2006-11-03 07:28:43 · answer #2 · answered by Judy S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My boys are 10 and a half months apart. I survived and so will you. The most important thing, as everyone else has stated, is to keep the older one involved. Let him take an active role in the caregiving. Also, make sure you set aside a few minutes everyday just to be alone with each of your children. Yes, there will be jealousy. My boys are 10 and 11 now and we still battle the jealousy thing. Also, don't try to potty train your older son until he's ready. Potty training at two is pretty early. You will just make things harder on yourself. Yes, it will be expensive to have two in diapers but you'll save on the Prozac you WON'T need because you're trying to potty train too early :) Remember to take time out for yourself, too. Good luck!
2006-11-03 10:43:57 · answer #3 · answered by Lynda M ♥ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had my 2nd girl 18 months after my 1st daughter,they are best friends,they play together always.The only problem I had(which didn't last very long)was that I was scared it was going to take time away from my first daughter.BUT then noticed she was so exicted for the new baby that everything started just kinda rolling together.It was perfect and still is,now I have my son who is almost 2,my 5 year old daughter and my 6 year old daughter.Hands are a little full but wouldn't change it for the world.Good luck and have a blast!
2006-11-03 08:20:46 · answer #4 · answered by oregoncheeto 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
first off make sure your son knows that just because your having another child doesn't mean that you love him any less. Make sure once your new baby is here that you remember to spend time with you son, and with both your children together. Secondly tell your son about how he can take care of your new baby, most little kids want to be involved. trust him to hold and play with the baby. I have a brother who is two years and two weeks younger than me and all i wanted to do was help him and take care of him. Don't not allow your son to play with your new baby or else he will feal left out.
Good luck
2006-11-03 07:05:20 · answer #5 · answered by Chrys 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My first is 2 years and 2 months older than my second, and my second will be 2 years and 2 months older than my third, due in March. I have two little girls, oldest just turned 4 and the other is almost 2, and they get along great most of the time. the younger one tries to do everything her older sister does. You will have to remember that when they do argue, don't tell the older one to give in, our youngest is the cause of most of the fights, because she does want to do everything her sister does. But for me it helps because my oldest is very advanced for her age, and she is very protective over her little sister. Good luck, most of it you will have to learn as you go, because kids are so different.
2006-11-03 07:04:38 · answer #6 · answered by tnmomof2as 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My sister has kids that are close in age...and so does my best friend....my sister has had 3 kids in 5 years and is pregnant now. Plus in there she carried my little boy for my husband and I. Crazy gal...lol.
Anyhow one of the best things I can say is that you will want to get the child you have now OUT of diapers before the baby is born. 2 kids in diapers is HARD to pay for and hard to deal with.
My sister says to try to get them on the same sleep schedual as fast as possible that way during nap time you can sleep or do house work.
If you have any specific questions feel free to write me. I am here.
Good Luck, Mandy
2006-11-03 07:09:33 · answer #7 · answered by })i({ J and D's Momma })i({ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as my newborn blossomed into a older baby, I noticed that my son is jealous, he hits, stratches, pulls, and pushes her. I always put him in time out, I don't hit because he thinks that it's okay for mommy to hit, so it's okay for me. have them together. My son washing , and helping me change my daughter's hair and diaper didn't work for me. I felt so bad that I had to look at my baby through a playpen. I'm so involved with both of the children, but my 2 yr old gets more attention and when I give it to her he reacts negatively. I make him say sorry and give her a kiss. My daughter goes to Physical therapy and it's the only time I have away from my son terrorizing my daughter. I would be quick to jump at every hit and almost hit and put him in time out. It's the only way. Tell him you have to sit down and not hit, it's not nice it hurts.
2006-11-03 07:02:59 · answer #8 · answered by fourcheeks4 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well i have to sisters and im the youngest of the 3 of us and we are each 2 years apart. My mom said that the oldest was first happy with the new baby and treated her kindly(saying she was her own baby doll) but as soon as that wore off she was a little jelous. But now we all get along just fine.
2006-11-03 07:19:42 · answer #9 · answered by Donnie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest preparing your son for the new baby. You don't want to have a jealous 2 yr. old running around and causing chaos with a newborn in the other room. If he's not jealous, then he most likely will love the new baby and might even help out a bit with him/her!
I'd also suggest getting him potty trained before the baby arrives. You don't want 2 kids in diapers, and certainly do not want one in diapers and one in the process of being potty trained.
Also get him off any bad habits (for lack of a better phrase) before the baby arrives. Off the binky, off the bottle, not sleeping in your bed anymore, etc. (that is assuming he does those things or is still on the bottle or pacifier). Just anything like those that would be hard habits to break with a newborn in the house.
2006-11-03 06:58:23 · answer #10 · answered by CelebrateMeHome 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋