I have 22mths between the first two and 21mths between the 2nd and 3rd. (so a nearly 4yr old, 2 yr old and 3mth old).
The pro's:
They play so well together.
They get to grow up together.
All of their toys and clothing is interchangable or able to be handed down (although my boys may not appreciate being dressed in their sisters pink clothing as they get older ).
It is fun doing family activities, because they all enjoy the same kind of things.
They help entertain each other, and play games together, which means I don't have to entertain them constantly, freeing up time for other things (like housework, or b/f - so maybe that should be a con ). It makes things alot easier when they are getting along.
Cons:
It is hard work (sometimes REALLY REALLY hard).
it can be stressful running after all of them, or trying to disipline them as they are close in age but still at different stages of development (DD doesn't always understand why she gets in trouble for something DS1 may not).
When they are sick (and you are usually at the same time), it is exhausting and can be hard to cope.
Changing nappies for 2 kids at once is expensive and a pain in the butt.
Trying to TT when you have other kids to look after is laughable.
In my case trying to fit 3 cars seats in a car.
Could go on for ages with the cons, But the truth is that I wouldn't change the age gaps I have and love them being so close together. I love it - but I wouldn't be honest if I didn't tell you that there are alot of drawbacks (I go through periods of really struggling to cope). Generally the pro's (whilst might appear on the list as slightly less, are of more importance then the cons - I have found.
When things are good, they are very, very good. But when they are bad they are horrid.
DS will be 20 months when this one is born. Pregnancy has been a little harder than last time because I had morning sickness this time and just chasing after DS is tiring so haven't had much of a chance to put my feet up and catch up on sleep. It's a bit more of a challenge picking him up. If we have to go to the shops I put him in a trolley or take the pram because I don't want to be carrying him or chasing him around the shops!
Wouldn't change anything though and if we have a third we'll probably go for a similar age gap.
My DS1 was 15 months when DS2 was born. They both napped at the same time during the day and I got to sleep, and now they are best friends which is just wonderful. It was also good practice for 2 years later when I had twins as I was well used to dealing with 2 babies at once. Having my family close together has also minimised the total time I have had to take out of the workforce, as I have not worked since I was 6 months pg with DS1.
On the downside I would have liked to be able to concentrate on each baby a little more when they arrived, but as I was always distracted with other babies this never happened.
As has already been said there is no ideal age gap, all gaps have pros and cons you just have to work out what your own priorities are.
My friend just had her second baby 6 weeks ago and her son was 20months when her daughter was born. so they are reasonably close. She was pretty full on especially because her husband was away most weeks working - but her son has been so cute with the baby and very accepting of the change. She tried to potty train him before but he wouldnt have a bar of it yet... however he is sleeping in a normal bed and had been for about 7 months before his sister was born.
I also have another friend who fell pregnant with her DD2 when her DD1 was only 5 months old!! definately a whoopsie... however the two girls are so close and love spending time together. She now has a 3rd one in there and has 3 children under 3.
I personally am 6 years older than my only sibling (also a girl) and i HATE it. We were at different stages in our lives growing up and yet my sister always wanted me to play with her or follow me and my friends around etc. Only now that she has finished high school are we starting to get along. Yet for my mum, she loved it because i was at school and she could concentrate on the new baby.
We are definately going to plan a 2nd baby fairly close together. (DH is 10 and 12 years younger than his sisters - so we both would like siblings close)
Last edited by Nelle; November 24th, 2009 at 07:49 AM.
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Will be 21 months difference when our second arrives.
My theory was that I can get all the nappy stage out of the way at once and hopefully have 2 kids that are good friends
This baby is due 2 weeks before DD's second birthday.
DD is a reasonably easy baby. She sleeps well and is happy, so we decided not to wait any longer. I like the idea of my kids being in the same stage. I was also planning on having 3 kids, so I didn't want to spread the baby stage over too many years.
I am trying to teach DD to be a bit more independent before this baby arrives. Things like feeding herself, putting herself to sleep and walking rather than me carrying her. I don't think she will be ready for toilet training though.
I have a 5yo, 2yo (3 in feb) and a 16 month old. Currently preg with another. There is 14 months between the babies...
I find the gap between my first 2 boys is harder than the the 2yo and the 1yo.
Fitting 3 car seats in the back if fun (not) but we are not upgrading just yet.
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