When to get pregnant again?

Question

Just looking for opinions on what people think is the best age gap between two children. Is it best to wait until the first one is in school, or better to have them closer in age? This is if you are only going to have 2 kids. Please list pros and cons! Thanks! :)

Answer 1

Well, my first son was born when I was 18 and so I waited to finish going to college and get married before I got pregnant with my second at 23. So there is a 6 year gap between both of them (Brecken turned 5 shortly after his brother was born). I got pregnant with my third just 3 weeks after Liedan was born and man it was surprising. I don't know how I am going to handle two babies in diapers.

Answer 2

I put almost 3 years between mine.

Answer 3

I have three kids all roughly a year and a half apart.  The only problem I really had, is that they've all grown up at about the same time!  I was so busy for so long and then all of a sudden, I don't have much to do!!  But I saved a lot on clothes (they went from one to the next and were still in style).  Also, they tended to like to do the same things, (age appropriate I mean).  I got mine potty trained young, so I didn't have the problem with the diaper thing.  My brothers and I are 3 years apart (there are 4 of us all together) and I am not close to any of them.  Although I'm not sure that has anything to do with age differences.

Answer 4

We had our 2nd one after our 1st was completely potty trained. They're close enough in age to play together and I didn't want to have to change 2 sets of diapers if they weren't twins! Not to mention, the cost of buying all those diapers would've seriously put us in the poor house! We also couldn't afford to buy formula for 2 kids, so we waited. Our kids are 3 yrs apart and I love that age difference. I don't see how people can have kids so close together, but I definitely give them credit for doing so and remaining sane! LOL Now both of our kids are completely potty trained and we're trying for baby #3.

Answer 5

I dont think there is "best". What works for some, isnt ideal for others. Lots of people like their children close in age so that they can play together and have more in common. I personally want to wait until my daughter is 4 or 5 before I have another baby. I feel like I might miss out a lot on things with her if I'm busy being stuck in the bathroom for 9 months with morning sickness and then devoting lots of time to a new baby. I'm not saying that would be the end of the world but I would just rather wait until she's in school. Plus, I think she would enjoy a younger sibling more once she's old enough to be excited and love it instead of be jealous of it. Then of course there is the expense of having them close in age. It may not seem like much now but it will cost a fortune to put 2 kids through college at the SAME time and buy two cars, not to mention just in the near future having two kids in diapers. Daycare for two at the same time is ridiculous too. You could save some if one child is already in school. Also just the stress of having two very needy little ones is a lot. It might would be easier if one is more self-sufficient before you add another one. It's really a personal decision as to when you are ready to have another one and no matter when it comes...you'll love it just the same. Goodluck

Answer 6

two years

they can hang out together + they wont really need tons of friends

Answer 7

well i think something between 2-5 years

because i think you should give urself a little break

before you have to change nappies and geting up early in the morning

feeding the little one

Answer 8

I think that two years apart is a good age gap.I feel that it allows the 1st child to be able to talk,feed themselves,potty trained,etc.I don't like having a big age differnece so the kids will want to play together and have more in common.Plus down the road you wouldn't want a 10 year old and a 15 year old. The older one would be wanting to go out and do stuff that is to mature for the younger one ,but the younger one will want to do it because the sibling is doing it.

Answer 9

My doctor recommends 2 years apart.

Answer 10

I say have them within 2 years of each other...this usually saves conflicts between the 2 as they grow...A teen and a younger child are just going to clash in most cases...Also, their interests tend to be similar and make life much easier on you...Just my Humble opinion.

Answer 11

i would like them a few years apart, maybe 3 or so. that way one would be out of diapers when the next one came along but they would still be close in age. i am 6 years younger then my brother and we were basically in different generations! we're still not close, even as adults.

edit. one thing is though, just because they are close in age, don't expect them to necessarily be close. my hubby and his bro are 2 years apart, they were only 1 year apart in school and they were never close. they don't even speak to each other.

Answer 12

My best friend had her kids 20 months apart, but i'm 22 years older than my only sister, so it completely depends on what you can handle.  If you space them a lot, you really get to enjoy their individual stages, but you'll be actively parenting for a long time.  If you have them close together, you'll be very busy, but then you'll be done.

Answer 13

I have two kids who are a year and a half apart and that is perfect!  

Answer 14

Closer to age.  They will have someone to play w/, it teaches loving and sharing very early on and if you ever did decide way later down the road you would want more, then you have two to help out and keep one another company when you are baby-busy. I am glad we chose to have ours close together in age they are very well behaved and each others best friends.

Answer 15

2 years is perfect that way you have one potty trained and off the bottle or from breastfeeding...mine are 2 1/2 years apart and they tended to be little helpers.....as far as getting mommy a diaper, wipes, and then throwing diaper in the trash....I have 4 grown sons who loved being little helpers.

Pro's

little helpers

Con's

jealousy

terrible 2's

Answer 16

My sister and I are 2 years 9 months apart I think it's good

Answer 17

I do think the closer together the better ... your going through the stages all at once instead of having to go through it all twice and they will be able to play together ... l