Toddlers: 24 Months+
cs1007
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Moms of 2+: how much harder is it??!!!
cs1007
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Right now DS is 28 months and I am pg with #2. He will be almost 3 by the time LO #2 arrianother arrives... I am starting to have major anxiety about adding another one to the mix. I SAH, and some days with DS I feel like I am running around like a chicken with its head cut off. He is a good little boy for the most part, just a handful! I know he will be a little older and less dependent, but it seems a little scary right now. I cannot even imagine how I am going to manage. How much harder is life with 2????
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Re: Moms of 2+: how much harder is it??!!!
DS1 was only 20 months (almost 21) when DS2 was born and I swear I had a panic attack during my whole pregnancy. LOL. I'm not going to say its super easy, it is deffinatly an adjustment. I'm a SAHM too so I know exactly what you mean about running around after one. So far DS2 is rather stationary so i'm not going in opposite directions yet...it is coming though I'm sure.
Just like having one baby it takes awhile to get in the swing of things and geting a routine down but it all works out in the end. Leaving the house for any reason (alone with the kids) is more work though. And it sucks that I have to take both kids to a doctors appointment when it is just for one of them. Last week DS1 was soo mad (because it was a month after his last checkup) and I think he thought he was there for more shots. He cried when the nurse came in with the tray of shots for DS2. Which then of course made DS2 freak out.
My kids have a 28 month gap and it hasn't been bad. It's longer to get out the house, longer getting in and out the cars, someone always needs something, and less me time. They are each others' source of entertainment so sometimes it's easier on me in that regard (also a SAHM) My #1 is old enough now that I don't need to watch her diligently when we're out at functions because she's so busy playing with her friends. It allows me to play "chase" with the baby. You have to remember that you get a good 5 months of the baby just sitting around for the most part which allows your oldest child to mature and become more independent too.
When you just have one, you're used to being able to immediately tend to their needs and pacify them as necessary. With two, you have to prioritize. Sometimes, LO #1 has to wait until I'm finished nursing LO #2. Sometimes little sister has to fuss while I'm getting LO #1 ready for bed.
I would say we're in a good place right now though because my older one has learned a little more patience and they play and love each other so much. They really are best friends and my oldest loves taking care of her little sister.
There are definitely hard days but as was already mentioned, the really good days outweigh the bad. Just make sure to secure a babysitter at least one night a week to relax a bit or you will go insane ;-)
SAHM to two sweet girls, both born at home; Baby #3 in 2013!
Go Phils!!
Mine are 15 months apart. I'd say the hardest part is just the logistics... getting two kids out of the car, bathing two kids, feeding two kids, putting them down for naps. How to take DS1 potty in public (I just let DS2 sit on the dirty bathroom floor... antibodies!).
DS1 was still such a baby when DS2 was born so that was tough, and it still is, but now DS1 can help so much more. I can ask him to get a pacifier or a towel and he'll do it. We want one more and I'd like them to be 20-25 months apart because DS1 is at such a great age to be a big brother!
Basically two kids is hard, no matter how far apart they are, but it's also great. The cutest thing is when they make each other laugh!
Well, I have a 1 week old and a 2.5 year old so take this with a grain of salt-- so far- it's been easy! I had a ton of anxiety during my pregnancy about managing 2 children but it really just works itself out. I found that toward the end of my pregnancy I was not able to do as much with DD1 and it forced her to become more independent. By the time the baby came she was used to not getting 100% of my attention all day. Really, the adjustment has been very smooth.
My girls are 20 months apart. To be honest, I felt like having 2 was almost easier then having 1! For the first...oh, year and a half at least. I was busy, and it was more to juggle at least... but they kept each other entertained and we quickly got into a new routine and it was great. DD2 was also a super laid back, easy baby and a good sleeper. So that made a huge difference!
What I'm finding is that it gets harder as they get older...but again, that could be their close age difference! They fight a LOT now. Individually, they are great at playing alone and so easy. But put them together and walk out of the room, and they're fighting and hitting and biting each other w/in 30 seconds. That's enough to make me lose my mind
Overall, now that they're older, I have to agree with the saying that having 2 doesn't double your work, it multiplies exponentially... but it's also amazing and wonderful and I wouldn't change it for the world and would do it all over again in a second!
BFP 5/07 - Kylie born 2/08. BPF 2/09 - Alexandra born 10/09.
TTC since 8/13 - diagnosed difficulty conceiving due to LP defect. Took vitamin B and Vitex Berry to help lengthen.
BFP 2/14 - Missed M/C found at 8.5 weeks. D&C at 9w2d. Partial Molar Pregnancy.
BFP 11/14
My Pregnancy(ies) Blog
This Mine are 16 months apart and it is very hard because you have 2 babies. Our next will be when DS is 3 years old!
The first week was incredibly easy. DH was home, and the baby slept all the time. After that, the next 6 wks were miserable. I seriously wanted to jump off a cliff. My toddler was horrible - throwing constant tantrums and requiring so much extra attention. It's finally settling down now & it's not bad at all.