I didn't find it hard at all. It was hard going from 0 to 1! But not hard having more kids. My first 3 were quite close - they are all 20 months apart in age (DS1 was only 3 & 3mths old) and it wasn't a problem because I was still in my groove of dealing with babies and settling and all that stuff. DD2 just slotted in perfectly. It was a little harder going from 3 to 4 at first because the gap was bigger and DD2 was 3 &3mths old when DS2 was born so well and truly not a baby so it was a bit of a shock for the first few weeks to get used to having a baby again.
With each child I have found that I have had to become more organised and better skilled at watching the needs of my family and my self. I guess it's hard if you are feeling flattened by it and pulled around, but the more I can be objective and moving through what is needed before it is happening the easier things are. You get better at having things ready to go, and some things just have to give. With number three I was able to talk on the phone less and give up a few things that added stress to how the family rolled, but that was only for a few months until I got the knack of three. From what I have experienced people 'think' it's harder because they want things to stay the same, and even some people are not prepared to give anything up for the adjustments of a growing family. But like anything it's a time period that soon changes, eventually you will have time to do all the things you 'want' and have all the kids tended to... we are expecting number 4, I know we will be 'busier' (whatever that means we are busy already!!) But I know we can do it!!! It brings stuff up for people and you can hear it in their words if you truly listen. THey may not have been able to handle more then one or two and that's perfectly fine, but you can do it !!! Different strokes for different folks!
Well, going from 2 to 3 can't be too hard because it didn't stop us going for number 4!
I have found that I have to be organised, but I like being organised anyway. There is more washing with each child, of course. But there is also more love and laughter (and frustration and mess!). I think it is a very personal decision. I am sure that many of my friends think we are a little bit mad for having 4 children. I have a supportive and involved DH - we share the load. I am mostly a stay-at-home mum (I do some work from home, and occasionally from the office). I think I would struggle if I worked full-time (DH works full time). Compared to my life pre-children, I do housework at what I would have once regarded as 'odd' hours - hanging washing out at 9pm, vacuuming at 7am.
But it is oh, so worth it! Life is busy but it is beautiful too
Good luck with your decision.
ETA - There is a gap of 2.5 years between each of my children. When our new bub is born my next youngest child will be three. I take my hat off to mum's who have a smaller age gap between their children.
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