Age difference for this those that have 2

What are your kids age differences? What's the pros and cons of the difference you have?

Re: Age difference for this those that have 2

1.5 years.
It was hard in the beginning (2 babies and tough to give attention to the older one).
Now, the age difference is so little, they can really play together & do everything together.

Re: Age difference for this those that have 2

26 months apart. Tough at first since I had to push a bed for DS1 sooner than he needed it. Didn't like having 2 in diapers either. Other than that it wasn't too bad. Now at 5 and 3 they are the best of friends and love being together. The fight a lot too, but that's with all siblings no matter what the age difference. I still fight with my sister some times and she's 7 years older than me.

Re: Age difference for this those that have 2

My DS are almost 3.5 years apart. We wanted them closer, but it took me 10 months to get pregnant. The upside is that I was able to give each of them lots of 1 on 1 time. DS1 had me all to himself for 3 years. DS2 had me mostly to himself because my older one was in school. I also made it a point to do individual things with them geared towards their own interests. I still do that now. And even though they fight sometimes, they truly love each other and play together most of the time.
The downside is that they won't be in school together much. They will have only 2 years in elementary school and that's it. If I had gotten pregnant only 4 months earlier, they would have spent 3 years in elementary and 1 year if high school together. I know it's not that big if a deal, but that still makes me sad to think about.

Re: Age difference for this those that have 2

almost 4 years

Re: Age difference for this those that have 2

mine are 15 months apart. DS is 5 months, DD is 20 months. Yes it is tough having them so close in age, but everything from DD is still around and in good shape for ds. i think as they get older having them so close in age will be easier; hopefully they have similar interests and can also play together. *if* we were to go for a third, we would wait until DS is 2 yo. dd was too young to understand things when ds was born, the few months make a difference. i also dont think DH and i could revert back to diapers, sleepless nights etc if we were to wait 3-4 years.

the only con i have is that i didnt get to give #2 as much attention as i gave #1 bc #1 is still so small and there is so much i still need to do for her.

Message edited 10/29/2014 3:09:19 PM.

Re: Age difference for this those that have 2

They will be 3.25 years apart... I'll get back to you on the pros and cons!

Re: Age difference for this those that have 2

I wanted my kids close together but due to IF issues it just didn't work out that way. They are EXACTLY 4.5 yrs apart and to be honest, it was a blessing in disguise.

I think the age difference has been GREAT! Bringing a new baby home when your other child is already somewhat independent is so much easier. My DD understood what was happening throughout my whole pregnancy, she was thrilled when DS was born, and she has always been so patient and loving with him and was also a huge help to me. She was able to give him bottles, soothe him, an entertain him. And now at 19 months and 6 yo they are just too cute together, total best buddies. There has never been any jealousy on my DD's end either which made us so happy.

The other nice thing, she started Kindergarten 6 months after he was born so not only did it give me a break during the day but for DS, it's almost like he's an only child for a few hours a day. He gets lots of one-on-one time while she's at school and that's so nice for the both of us.

I have no complaints about the big age difference, I love it!

Age difference for this those that have 2

2 mo tha shy of 3 yrs and it's great. I would have had them 2 yrs apart but it didn't work out that way. I am so thankful it didn't work out the way I saw it. Dd1 was awful from 1-3. Tantrums, craziness, just awful. She calmed down by 3 when I agd dd2. She was great started school I'm loving the 3 yr gap. She's very helpful and caring. They are now 4 and 19 months and have a love/hate relationship :) more love though lol

Re: Age difference for this those that have 2

DSs are almost 4 years apart. I don't think I could have handled two tiny ones at once. Having DS#1 be a bit more independent has been pretty helpful.

Re: Age difference for this those that have 2

22mo. It was a lot in the beginning and still is at times (they're almost 2 and close to 4). They've been really playing together for a while now and that is helpful. Sometimes it's actually easier to have both home because the younger one wants me to play with him ALL THE TIME. If it's just me and him home, he literally won't leave me alone to do anything. The older one at least helps entertain him for periods of time so I can get things done.

I imagine it's overall easier to have a larger age difference, as the older child is more independent and is more capable of understanding that the baby needs more attention. That said, I always wanted my kids close in age and I wouldn't change things if I could.

Re: Age difference for this those that have 2

18 months apart

I'll spare the pros.
Don't want anyone hating me.lol

Re: Age difference for this those that have 2

Mine are 10.5 months apart as DS #2 was 8 weeks premature.

Pros:
They are best of friends
They have each other to play & entertain
Got out of the baby stages together
They truly aren't jealous of each other


Cons
I really don't have any

Re: Age difference for this those that have 2

DS and DD will be 5.5 years apart. (i'm not due until march). but so far i LOVE this age difference. DS is so excited. and he's so independent. i dont have to worry about changing him or helping him get dressed or get him drinks or bathe him. he's pretty much self sufficient at this point. he's going to be a big help when the baby comes.

before i was divorced i wanted them 2 years apart. now that i'm remarried and pretty much had no choice having them this far apart...i'm glad it worked out this way

Re: Age difference for this those that have 2

Mine are 3 years almost to the day. Their birthdays are one day apart!

The pros are that DD1 is pretty self-sufficient and can entertain herself. She also loves being a little mommy and helping with the baby. DD2 thinks her big sister is the funniest person ever. DD1 was potty trained when DD2 arrived. She also goes to school 3 mornings a week, which gives me bonding time with baby and also downtime as the baby takes her morning nap during that time.

Cons: I wouldn't really say there are any. DD1 had a little adjustment period at first because she was numero uno for 3 years, but I think that any kid will go through that at any age. She really adores her little sister but didn't love the early days when the baby nursed around the clock and I was stuck on the couch. DD2 gets schlepped around a lot --school drop-off/pick-up, dancing school, etc. so she isn't as scheduled as DD1 in terms of meals/naps, but it's not such a big deal.

Message edited 10/29/2014 12:07:16 PM.

Re: Age difference for this those that have 2

Mine are almost 2.5 years apart. I wanted them a little closer, but that's not how it worked out. I like the age difference, but then again I don't know any different.

The one hard thing is going through the terrible 3's with an infant. For a while there I felt like I was spending so much time yelling at DS1 because I couldn't deal with them both at the same time.

But things are getting better now that DS1 is 3.5 and DS2 just turned 1. They are starting to be able to play together and DS1 seems to have turned the corner on his crazy behavior. If we go for a 3rd I'd like the age difference to be about the same because I don't want them so far apart in age that they can't play together and enjoy some of the same things at the same time.

Re: Age difference for this those that have 2

Ds#1 and DS#2 are 14 months apart. It is hard in the beginning but as they get a little older it is great. They always have a playmate, I really never left any baby phase. Diapers, bottles, car seats, etc. I will add ds#1 was a great sleeper though.

DS #2 and DS #3 are just about 4 years apart. You begin everything all over and its harder to do all activities with a little one. The plus side is the older boys are more independent and can help out a bit.

There is no perfect age difference as all kids are different. There are pros and cons to it all. Don't over analyze and just take the plunge. Good Luck

Re: Age difference for this those that have 2

3 years, 1 month difference.

What a god send - DD is able to amuse herself, use the bathroom herself, play by herself when I needed to tend to her brother for feeding, changing, rocking to sleep, etc.

Age difference for this those that have 2

26 months apart. It was hard at the beginning. 2 cribs, 2 in diapers, 2 sets of pacifiers. My 2 year old was really attached to me so he was devestated when his brother showed up lol. At around 12 weeks everything got easier. I didn't take my oldest out of the crib, I just bought a second. I didn't push to take away the binky either, so now in the next few months I have to potty train and take the pacifier away. wish me luck LOL.

Age difference for this those that have 2

I have 3 kids : 12, 6, 1.
Pro:
got to spend baby time w each
older ones more independent
older ones help out w younger one
Younger ones learn quicker from older ones
older ones learn to be patient & learn responsibilities

Con:
Gaining, losing, gaining weight lol
entertaining at once
Losing sleep again just when you started getting some
Placing baby & big kid in same bedroom

Re: Age difference for this those that have 2

26 months. One con, i felt like i couldnt give my older child the attention she wanted and it made me very sad. Aside from this i thought it was a nice age gap.

Age difference for this those that have 2

Mine are 27 months apart.

It was tough in the beginning when they both needed attention at the same time but, has gotten easier as they have become friends. They fight so much though - when they are bored, they find something to push the other ones buttons (the little guy is the worst at 2 1/2).

Re: Age difference for this those that have 2

Age difference for this those that have 2

My dd is 3 1/2. Dc # 2 is coming in January, so they'll be 3 yrs, 9 months apart. You'll hear all different opinions and there really is no right or wrong but this space was perfect for us..
Pros-
I really felt like I enjoyed it just being my dd for a while. We got the time I felt I needed alone with her before adding another. It was nice to have that special one on one time together.
My dd is out of diapers. It was really important for me to not have 2 in diapers.
They'll be close as siblings, but not too close. I've had friends who were close in age growing up and a lot of the time they shared friends and hated it. I wanted my children to be in different stages of their life and develop different friendships and relationships.
They won't be going into college at the same time! This was a big one for me. I want to pay for their schooling and financially it would have been to hard on us.
DD will be somewhat independent when her sibling arrives. She can entertain herself for the most part and hopefully she will be helpful too.

Cons-
Not sure yet. Maybe none. We'll see.

Message edited 10/29/2014 2:08:42 PM.

Re: Age difference for this those that have 2

My kids are 2.5 years apart almost to the day. I love it and wouldn't change a thing.

My son takes such great care of his little sister. They play together. They are affectionate with each other. It's adorable

Message edited 10/29/2014 2:23:12 PM.