For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

How bad was it? I am pregnant with #2, which DS will be 20 months apart. Everyone is freaking me out that it will be crazy (which I know) but impossible to handle. REALLY??? Is it that bad??? My MIL said to me last night that she doesn't know how I am going to do it since DS is so active now.

Don't get me wrong, I know it will be crazy but we planned to have them very close in age. Someone please tell me that it is ok.

Re: For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

My kids are 26 months apart. Its awesome. Honestly dont find it hard at all. And my lil guy is wild lol. Youll be fine

For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

my kids are 19 months apart. I actually found going from none to 1 harder than 1 to 2. You will be fine!!

Re: For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

Mine are 14m apart and for a while I was FREAKING out I would practically be raising 2 babies at once. But honestly the 2nd baby just kind of fit into our schedule and the adjustment wasn't very mad at all (it helped she was a good sleeper from day 1)
Now they are almost 5&4 and make me want to rip my hair out

Re: For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

Ok, I will be honest. It is great, but it is HARD. it was a big adjustment for us, and we are still recovering. The beginning is pretty easy because the baby is just sleeping all the time, it's more of a struggle when the baby starts to demand much more of your attention and still can't do anything for themselves. It sometimes feels like complete chaos all day, between constantly feeding them, then cleaning up after them, then bathing them, etc etc. It never ends some days!!

BUT, it's starting to get easier again now that DC2 (14 months) is able to play with DC1 and is a little bit more self sufficient and content. Everyone tells me it gets much easier in a few years. I cling to that promise.

We don't regret it for a second, but I never sugar coat it. It might be a breeze for you, but it also might be exhausting and frustrating for a little while. Just don't forget to put yourself and your DH first once in a while. There will always be time to clean your house, but your sanity and your marriage is more important!

For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

Ummm, I hope it's not that bad. I'm pregnant with number two and they will be exactly 24 months apart.

I heard that going from none to one is harder than one to two. And in the beginning it's hard, but as they get older it's easier bc dc1 can entertain dc2.

Re: For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

mine are 18 months apart and I love it and can't wait to see them grow up together. Not going to lie there are moments where I look at DH and say what the heck were we thinking. but those moments pass quickly.

I think the hardest for me was the week after giving birth and I was still recovering and trying to take care of two babies. After that it has gotten easier each day.

Re: For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

Mine are 18 months apart,

When my second was born, it was very hard. The older couldn't even understand she was human & still needed so much attention. The older is a very active child. Luckily, we got some help for 2 months from my parents & in laws (essentially to entertain the older).

That being said, you roll with it. Heck, twins are probably harder & people survive those!

Now, at 3 & 4, it's much easier! They are best friends and play together. They defend each other, but also annoy each other all day. The older can't remember life without the younger.

Would I do it again? No: I'd wait if I could. But, life doesn't give you those choices. My little one is an absolute angel fallen from heaven. I'd walk through Fire for her... And would def swing the tough times that lasted less than a year.

Re: For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

I had 3 within 13 months. The first 2 years were hard, exhausting and a blur. Now that they are 6 and 5 it is so easy.

Re: For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

Mine are 21 months apart. (1&2 and 2&3)

It's easy at the beginning. Gets harder when the baby starts requiring more attention (other than feeding, burping, etc when you can still give most of your attention to the older one(s) while you do it), starts walking- taking toys, etc.

Still- I don't find it very difficult at all.

Are there times I want to bang my head repeatedly against a wall? Of course! But I think I'd feel that way with just 1 too.

ETA: My girls are almost 5, 3 and 1

Message edited 2/10/2015 12:42:16 PM.

Re: For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

Mine are 10.5 months apart, Irish twins This was not planned by no means as DS#2 was born 8 weeks preemie.

It was extremely hard in the beginning for us bc DS#1 was sleeping through the night @ 5 weeks. Now we brought a preemie into the mix. My oldest wasn't truly crawling or waking yet, so I ajways had a kid attached to me & they were on opposite schedules.

Once we got into a groove, it went smoother. We stuck to routine & I took all the help I could get when it was offered. Now that they are 4.5 & 5, it's great. They are best friends & honestly no jealousy bc they don't remember life without each other

For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

mine are 15 months apart. the first three months were not easy but that is bc my second was colic...crying non stop, rarely sleeping, etc. so i will say i was exhausted and never wanted to go out bc i felt delirious. i was home on maternity leave for 3 months with both kids (my oldest was not in classes or daycare or anything)....my mom was my savior allowing me to nap. but, after 3 months it got so much easier. im not sure why, but that was the magic month ds outgrew his colic which made life easier for us all! we started to go out more (although i still prefer having people over bc their nap times are not the same), but we can go out and enjoy ourselves. now my daughter is almost 2 and my son is 8 months and its amazing! he crawls after her and they play together. i couldnt be happier that they are so close in age

Re: For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

Thanks ladies...it really helps to hear this.

Re: For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

There are so many factors.. it really varies person to person.

It depends on how much help you have/get, how your older child is, how the baby will be. So many variables.

My 2nd and 3rd are 20 months apart. My husband works long hours and weekends sometimes. I don't have a mom or MIL around to help out or watch my kids. I don't have a cleaning person.

My middle one wasn't sleeping through the night yet. I had an older one in school who had after school activities and play dates constantly. I was always on the go and always run down and tired. It was hard. My middle one was a tough toddler... that first year is a total blur. I was in survival mode - BUT I survived and came out better for it. I'm more organized and on top of my game then I ever was. The two that are 20 months apart are as close as can be and inseparable. It really was worth it... but had you asked me that the first 6 months in I would have given you a different answer.

Good luck! You will be fine

Re: For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

I had 3 in 26 months
When my 3rd was an infant things were easier
Once he was 12 months or so and very mobile and very into everything things got tougher.
Right now they are 4 and almost 2. They either are each others bffs or they are fighting
My little one is still Ito everything
I think it will be easier whe they are 5 and 3

Re: For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

My two are 16 months apart and I honestly don't think it was bad at all. Now that they are 2 and 3, it is a little more challengong, but it's great they are into the same things. The way they love each other makes it all worth it.

Re: For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

Mine are 22 months apart- I thought it would be a lot harder than it was. My youngest is 2 months- I actually think it might be easier once he's mobile (or a little sturdier) and I can leave them alone in the next room while I get stuff done. Right now if I leave them, I have to check in every min or so because my 2 year old thinks he can pick his brother up...

Re: For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

I have triplets which is a little different as nine were all on the same schedule so that made it easier...but then again I was feeding a baby every hour and a half for about 4 months...and then I had three crazy tyrannical toddlers at once :) you can do anything when you don't have a choice. As triplet moms like to say when asked the inevitable how do you do it - "you just do it." Personally there is something to be send for banging them out. Mine are almost three and as freedom approaches I dont k ow if I could start over! Good luck and congrats!

Re: For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

Mine will be 20-21 months apart as well & I'm not too worried, I'm planning to try to just go with the flow. The transition from 0 to 1 was such a shock I figure it can't be much worse than that, especially now that I have some idea of how to take care of a baby. I'm glad to continue to stay in "baby mode" as others have said & not get too much of my freedom back only to have to start over again with a newborn. Also I'm really looking forward to DS having a friend to play with close in age because I think he gets lonely & even though I know of course they will both need attention from us, they will also have each other. So I think there are lots of benefits to it & it won't be that hard maybe. I'm hoping lol.

For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

Mine will be 18m apart and I'm scared! Lol

For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

My kids are 22 months apart. They are now 4 and 6 and they are inseparable. They drive each other crazy but they also love each other so much. Honestly, the first couple of months were a little tough because I was nursing and DD was sooooo attached to me, but eventually everyone found their flow. DD really loved her little brother and understood her role as a big sister. DS was an easy baby. I think the second child tends to find their groove in the home since your schedule really revolves around your older DC. I was so fearful that I would be overwhelmed and it wasn't like that at all. I was working full time by the time DS turned 7 weeks old. Everything fell into place. Luckily my mom was very available to help me with laundry, etc. Take any help that is offered to you! Some people make it sounds more dramatic than it really is.

For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

My first 2 are 17 months apart and then surprise I got pregnant and my second and third are 15 months apart. I had 3 under 3, we also moved at the same time. There days when it's crazy and days when it's not crazy. My 2 older are starting to play together while my 6 month old is teething. I know things will get easier, I'm praying for warm weather because being stuck inside with this cold weather is hard. I also have 3 in diapers so I can wait to save money on diapers. I have help most days, my mom is a saint. I'm glad I have them close in age I know they will be the best of friends.

Re: For Those That Have Children Close In Age...

Mine will be 22 months difference and I am not very concerned. I was very relaxed easy going with my ds1 so I imagine I will be the same with ds2. The only thing I am scared of is waking up in the middle of the night again hahaha it seems forever since we had to do that lol