I am really undecided whether I want a second child or not, for a whole lot of reasons I won't go into. But one of them is about wondering how much more difficult having two kids is than having one.
On one hand, some people say that the biggest change is having your first child and once you're looking after one, you might as well look after another one. And then other people say that two is more than double the work. And then I have friend who's eldest daughter has gone a bit feral since she had her second baby, she's just not adjusting to the change.
I am just interested in others experiences- thanks!!
I had 2 in 13 mths and wouldn't have had it any other way(except to not have them c/s so I could have had another straight away) It was a bit more work but not double. They are great friends now and keep each other occupied.
JMO it's a huge decission.
Yup its hard work. The hardest thing that I found, was trying to keep the toddler quiet when trying to put the baby down for a nap. Luckily, I have a pretty easy baby who self settles, so it doesn't happen often. But that is the most frustrating part, trying to keep him from jumping over us and screaming/screeching like a little maniac whilst trying to get her to sleep.
As for the washing etc in terms of hard work - I haven't noticed really any huge excessive amount of washing - and I have two in cloth full time too.
Another hard thing is negotiating going out - I don't like to go out on my own with both kids, but only cos my toddler likes to be held, and its hard to hold both of them at once.
yep what Mel said.
I have nearly three years between my two (not by choice but worked well).
Darcy is the greatest help with Nate, and understands a lot - but also understands that she's coming second a fair bit, just not why. Hanece why I don't get much time on here.
Looking after them itself isn't really harder - you already know how to look after babies.
She did regress a little bit, but not to the point of 'feral'.
I never really knew if I wanted a second either, but if you really want DS to have a sibling or you really want another baby - you will manage.
I find that you need a bit more organisation in your life but I dont necessarily find it HARD.
My DD was almost3.5 yrs when DS was born & she is a great help, especially when I want to do housework & she will entertain him for me.
I highly recommend having a second
I honestly didn't notice much of a change in the amount of work I had to do when we had #2. We only had a 20mth gap so I was already in the groove of doing the baby thing and once the initial newborn-getting-to-know-you was over by about the 6-8w mark life was great. My second was quite a demanding baby so it did make the juggling act a bit trickier at the busiest times of day - breakfast and tea time) but over all the experience was a good one. It wont matter what age gap you have, there will always be the initial tough few weeks but as for housework etc it was fine.
For us, it's been a really smooth transition. Emily is a very easy baby and we hardly notice she's there.
But routine and organisation is the key. Both DH & I work full time, so it is very hard at times.
You'll always speak to people who find it difficult, and others that don't. You've just got to do what is right for you guys.
How much harder is 2 than 1?
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