TTC #2 or Wait? Comments/Advice Appreciated :)

kmornelas29

I currently have a DD who is 6 months old. 

My husband and I are thinking about TTC again in 6 months or so when DD is 1 years old. This would make her and baby#2 about 2 years apart, granted that I get pregnant. With DD we got pregnant our first cycle, and while I know each pregnancy is different, I have a feeling it might happen fast again the second time. 

To give you some background information into my decisions...I currently finished my teaching credential which i received in June of 2012. In California that means that I hold a preliminary credential, and I have 5 years from that date to get a teaching job, and clear that credential through a 2 year "BTSA" program while teaching. Sometimes a one year or 2 year extension will be granted, but it is not guaranteed. If nothing is done during that time to clear it, and the 5 year mark is over, then it is basically like you never went to school, and all the tuition, tests, and schooling is literally "deleted" as if you never even got the credential. 

Here is why this is important....

1. DH and I can either TTC in March-July 2014, and I would be a SAHM ( like I am now) until baby #2 is at least 1 year old, which puts my in the year 2016. Meaning, I have one year to find a teaching job, clear my credential, or hope I can get an extension. 

PROS: already a SAHM so no big changes are required, I can have my kids close in age, baby stage is being done all at once, and I will be done having kids younger. Also, I don't have to quiet a job that is hard to come by, because i wont have started my career yet. 

CONS: Possibly losing my credential if I cant find a job, and having kids close in age (yes its both).

2. Wait to TTC, have my kids further apart in age, teach 2 years JUST to clear the credential, and then be a SAHM again when baby #2 is born. 

PROS: Don't have to worry about losing the credential and kids further in age.

CONS: have to stop a new job (hard to see myself stopping a career) and kids far in age.

I know nobody can give me an answer for my family, because thats our final choice, but WWYD?

jasrun80

that's ridiculous about losing it all but I imagine its because its so competitive & because times change quick etc etc... anyhowwwwwww

it's SUCH a big deal to have another child that "pro/con" lists to me are hard. at some point, you have to throw your hands up & say "whatever happens happens" BUT if you really want to keep your schooling (which I know I would!!) then I'd be sure to plan on getting a job at some point in the next couple years no matter how the child having turns out.
I have kids 2 years apart & it's a hard transition at first, but now that my second one is one, I'd love to be at work but my job is not in any form a passion for me. I work in radiology & may go back contingent someday because even though they disrespected me & took advantage of my work ethic & were understaffed, a contingent or part-time job doing that could never compare to the emotional stress & general stress that being a stay at home mom entails.
I'd be ok with leaving a new job, personally. especially if I would be "getting what I want" which in this case I'd be wanting an extension on obtaining my credentials so if that's what it takes, then so be it. you didn't make the laws. but you can make people!!! & you have to do what's right for YOU & your people.

MNgirl326

You can list your pro and con list all you want, but no internet stranger can tell you when the best time to have another kid is.   You and DH have to figure that out for yourselves.   As for a teaching job, I would personally try and get things a little more fixed in that category before adding another kid to my load, but that's me.

And you may get pregnant right away, or you might not.  I got pregnant with my first on the first cycle.  With the 2nd however we have been trying for over a year.  So, you just never know. 

2 under 2 is hard, but doable.  There is a whole board dedicated to it, so you can certainly lurk there a bit and read their experiences. 

Good luck to you and your journey. 

allardr

I'm also a teacher (though thank god not in California) and I know if I found a FT teaching job it'd be hard for me to quit to SAHM. I'd personally continue SAHM and just have kids close together. That's what we're doing. I'm still going to meetings/classes etc to get my credits to keep up my license. Does subbing help with the license  issue? I currently SAHM except two days a week when I sub and DH stays with the kids.

JemmaWRX

Joy2611 said:

As someone whose sister is 5 years older than me and is probably my best friend, I don't give a flip about kids being "close in age." 

This. My sister is 6 years older than me. When she was a teenager and I was a kid we definitely had our moments but we get along great now. It's nice to have a big sister that goes through all the big life events - college, marriage, TTC - before me. I learn a lot from her. Plus my parents didn't have to pay for college and weddings back to back so there's a financial incentive too (if you plan on helping your kids out with that stuff!)

Good luck with your decision!