Would you choose a 2 yr. or 3 yr. age difference between DC's?

caymanbride

I'm not sure if I want 2 or 3 years between DS and # 2. I'd be aiming for a summer baby again (I'm a teacher) and I know that doesn't always work out, but I'm wondering if you have either a 2 yr. or 3 yr. age difference between your LO's, what do you like/dislike about it? TIA!

~Kat~

We are shooting for a 3 year difference. I want DS to be well out of the baby stage before starting all over. Also, if he can go to preschool a few mornings a week, that will give me more time with just the baby.

AnnapolisLari

I wanted to be done with kids by 40, so I went with 2 years.

I think closer to 3 years would have been a little better. A 2 year old is still pretty needy and a baby themselves. A 3 year old is a little more rational and able to help/take care of themselves.

Brewster

we have a 2 y 4 m age difference

everything is going well, but it would be nice if ds was more independent and out ofdiapers .  other than that, i can't really complain.

Brewster

and i guess another pro would be to get the baby stage over with.  i'd much prefer  toddlers/older kids to a baby.  i'm ready to get on with life, sleep again, take family trips, etc.

esposa38

I wanted 3 years, for the reasons that Kat and AnnapolisLari said. 

Bellisimo

THREE....at least!  That's just me though.  We conceived a bit earlier than planned.  I could stand for there to be more of an age difference between my two.

misstypeA

My kids are 2 years, 8 months apart.  Although DS is only 7 weeks, so far I am pretty happy with the spacing.  DD is potty trained, can play independently for periods of time, and understands when I have to feed/change/etc. the baby.  As they get older, I may wish there was less space between them but I realized long ago that I am not cut out for two babies at the same time!

melmax

Mine will be 3 yrs. apart, and although the baby isn't here yet, I don't think it would have been very easy if they were 2 yrs. apart, they are still babies at 2 in my opinion.   I'm happy with my 3 yr difference.

mollynpatrick

My DC are 2y 3m apart and I think it's perfect. I think my son is unusually well-behaved for a 2 yo though - I'll probably pay when he's three! :-) I am all for getting the baby stage done and over with. We will shoot for #3 with the same age difference. I don't want #1 to be so much older than #3 that we can't enjoy things as a family (#1 being too old/over what the younger ones want to do).

MichelleWP

Definitely 2! 3 is the hardest age for me, I would much rather have a 1 yr old than a newborn with a 3 y/o.

GrowingFamily

Our 2 DD's are 27 mos apart.  Our younger DD & our youngest DS are 33 mos apart.  That said, both gaps have worked out just fine for us.  It's true that at 33 mos, DD was less "baby-like", but at 27 mos our other DD was fine when we brought a baby into the family.  I have never minded having several in diapers at the same time.  It is what it is!  I think either spacing is OK.  I do agree with a pp that said that 3 was a harder age, in general.  Our kids never had the "terrible 2's", it was always "terrible 3's"!!

Alexandra*sMom

We wanted 18-24 mo between our kids.  DD1 and Pg#2 - would have been 19 mo apart (but I m/c).  DD2 came a few months later and I got PG when she was 14 mo, but also m/c.  They would have been 23 mo apart.  So...  DD1 and DD2 are 26 mo apart and if this is our lucky cycle, DD2 and DC3 will be 27 mo apart.

CubbyMama

Mine are exactly 2.5 years apart (almost to the day), and I wouldn't have wanted them any closer together.  I think 3 years is probably great b/c the older one is about ready for preschool and is more independent.

shopgirl78

I think 3 would be better but I did 2 and will do 2.5

JulieandBen

Jack will be 3yrs 2mths when his little brother is born. I wanted them three years apart. I started trying so they would be about 2.5yrs apart. It took us a long while to get pg. I really think this is the best scenario. Jack is a very nurturing little boy and will be a great and helpful big brother. Of course I know we won't be without our challenges.

Having Jack completely pt'd is another huge perk.

Chrisy-Wyobride

Mine are 27 & 29mo apart--it just worked out that way, I didn't "plan" it...I would choose 3ish for the baby stage--because of the potty training & for me 3 was much easier & more rational than 2. Also at 3 most likely they'd be in preschool at least.  But I like 2 yrs apart for schooling & since I do eventually plan to go back to work, the closer the better in that regard. 

cornichon

We have 3 years between them and it is great.  DD was potty trained, already in a bed girl bed, more independent, did not need to get a double stroller, loved to help me when ds was a newborn etc.  

.Erin

 I would definitely for the 2 yr age difference over the 3 yr age difference. I think 3 years is too big.