2 under 2 thoughts

epirani

DH and I have not been preventing the whole first year with DS. We haven't been "trying" but are now thinking that we are ready for number 2. DS is 1 and sleeps through the night no problem. I have talked with a few of my girl friends and they all tell me its crazy and I should wait but I just feel like the time is right. What are your views? Apparently it works you all survived I just need some guidance and advice thanks.
side note (I was hoping today would be a BFP but AF showed instead so back to the drawing board. I have a very regular cycle and stopped charting but just assumed that #2 would just happen without even thinking...GUESS I WAS WRONG)

AutumnBride929

If you feel it's right for you then who cares what anyone else says.  And waiting until #1 is one seems normal to me.  We started trying when DS was just 7 months old! lol

kcisthebombdotcom

For me personally, I feel the benefits outweigh the downfalls.

I like 2u2 because.. 

getting the sleepless nights/teething/newborn phase out of the way quicker than getting spoiled and starting all over again

I am able to be home (minus a part time job) with the kids until they're in grade school instead of taking a more extended leave or going back early and putting the baby in daycare

They will be able to share toys/experiences because mentally they will be at similar levels. I dont like the idea of trying to balance the needs mentally/emotionally of children spaced further apart.

I thought pregnancy with an infant/young toddler was much easier than an older toddler who is more active

smw123

Like a pp mentioned, if it feels right the go for it.  It doesn't matter what anybody else thinks.  They are your kids and you and DH are the only people who are really going to deal with them.  My sisters wanted me to wait until my niece was a year to start trying again since she is 2 months old right now.  Our 2nd was a surprise but my DH thought they were nuts for even suggesting such a thing. 

 When I was still working I wanted to wait until my DS was around 4 or 5 to have another because I didn't want to pay to have 2 in daycare and diapers.  Once I stopped working at the end of last year I changed my mind.  I thought it would be better to have them close in age so the could play together, share toys/childhood, go to school together, and hopefully be close as they grow up.  I also didn't want to forget about the newborn stage and then have to deal with it all over again in a few years.  I am worried but I am really looking forward to having 2u2. 

earthboundmisfit

I like 2u2 because if we stop at 2 kids [and we most likely will] than we are done with the baby stage all at once. I like that they are close in age and have/will have the same interests. I like that DD1 wasn't really aware of the pregnancy and showed no jealousy when DD2 was born. I like seeing them play together and cuddle and make each other laugh. There are pros and cons to any age difference..but for us I am happy to be out of the no sleeping stage since we are 95% sure that we are done having kids, it's nice that the 2 that we have are very close.

I will say that it was hard in the beginning..but that was more due to DD2 being difficult, as opposed to it being from having 2 kids. It's much more easier now that DD2 is mobile and can play with/interact with DD1.

sweetpea2003

There is no perfect age gap.  Just the most ideal one for you.  Who cares what your friends think.  They can space their babies however they please.

I have enjoyed 2u2.  Yes, it is hard.  And yes, some days I think "wow... it would be so nice if one of my kids was more independant".  But I wouldn't change a thing.

Good luck!

BrittKav

My kids are both young and I might be singing a different tune when they're both unruly toddlers (or teenagers!), but right now, I'm in love with this age gap. People talk about the pros and cons of 2u2...honestly, I don't see any cons. It works incredibly well for our family. 

jgoo

KC_13:

For me personally, I feel the benefits outweigh the downfalls.

I like 2u2 because.. 

getting the sleepless nights/teething/newborn phase out of the way quicker than getting spoiled and starting all over again

I am able to be home (minus a part time job) with the kids until they're in grade school instead of taking a more extended leave or going back early and putting the baby in daycare

They will be able to share toys/experiences because mentally they will be at similar levels. I dont like the idea of trying to balance the needs mentally/emotionally of children spaced further apart.

I thought pregnancy with an infant/young toddler was much easier than an older toddler who is more active

Pretty much all of this. I was scared to death when he found out about DD [#2 was a surprise], but I am sooooo thankful it happened this way. DD is almost 3 months old & the interaction between the two is just beautiful to watch. 

Do what feels to you. 

l_elizabeth

Agree with what everyone else has said, and also-- I think the hard stage is really the first year or less. Then, once your kids are a bit older (even 3, 5) and done with most "baby" stuff (potty-trained, in regular beds), it will be easier, and other people will just be starting all over again having a newborn! I think when people say it's really hard, it's because their kids are young. It won't be hard forever. You'll look back on those first few years and laugh, yes it was hard but you survived! And worth it. 

WhitePicketFence

If you and your husband are ready for #2, who cares what anyone else thinks? None of our friends even have one child yet, let alone 2, and it doesn't matter to us in the least.