Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t fear the first year of the baby’s life, fear the second. Holy moly are we tired and overwhelmed. 3 and 1 and 2 and 4 is a brutal combination. I am so tired. So so so so so tired. The first year was nothing compared to now.

-mom of 4 year old and almost 2 year old

You are the n the cusp of it getting better! 2.5/4.5 is much better. And 3 and 5 was AWESOME for us. Now 4 and 6 and really adore each other. Hang in there!!

This is what I was afraid of but assumed. OP - mine are 22 months apart and we are 8 weeks in. The first two weeks were a bit hairy and we still have our moments but we are getting in the swing of things. I think the return to work and when the younger one gets mobile will be when it gets really tough though. We will keep our eyes toward 2.5 or 3 or 4 for the light at the end of the tunnel.

Did anyone here have two under two and then go on to have a third? How much later?

Mine are 21mo apart boys - now 18m and 3yrs. All I can say is OH MY GOD THE FIGHTING. The little one figured out how to be the aggressor about a month ago and if they’re without 5 ft of each other someone is going to get bashed in the head or shoved over

Anonymous wrote:I’m due in October with my second child. My son is turning 2 next month. He is a great little boy but I know things will be chaotic. How was your experience?

There’s a huge difference in whether the elder child is 12, 18 or 24+ months. You will have 2 under 3. It’s more manageable, in some ways.

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t fear the first year of the baby’s life, fear the second. Holy moly are we tired and overwhelmed. 3 and 1 and 2 and 4 is a brutal combination. I am so tired. So so so so so tired. The first year was nothing compared to now.

-mom of 4 year old and almost 2 year old

You are the n the cusp of it getting better! 2.5/4.5 is much better. And 3 and 5 was AWESOME for us. Now 4 and 6 and really adore each other. Hang in there!!

Mine are 23 months apart...now 7 & 5. I won't sugar coat it, was very very hard for the first year with 2 in diapers and a baby that was really high-needs. A lot of guilt like I couldn't fully be there for either of them at that time because I couldn't split myself in half... looking back I was hard on myself. I think it gets easier every 6 months, then way easier when the youngest turns 4. I have been so happy mine are close in age during the pandemic - they play constantly and have similar interests. The oldest can really help the youngest with her work because he has just completed the same thing and it's so familiar/fresh to him (this has really stuck out during virtual school). So - in the end I absolutely love the spread but I had a really hard time at first, so go easy on yourself!

Mine are 19 months apart. My first was diagnosed with autism around 2.5. It was hard but we survived. Lower your expectations.

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t fear the first year of the baby’s life, fear the second. Holy moly are we tired and overwhelmed. 3 and 1 and 2 and 4 is a brutal combination. I am so tired. So so so so so tired. The first year was nothing compared to now.

-mom of 4 year old and almost 2 year old

Same. I had my middle two 18 months apart. It wasn’t so bad when they were baby and toddler, but when they were toddler (2) and preschooler (3.5) it was the WORST! I begged to work more so that I could be away from them! Now they are 4 and 5 1/2 and it’s so much better! They play ridiculous games all the time and are best friends and worst enemies. Girl and boy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mine are 18 months apart. Extremely difficult for two years but now that they're 5 and 6, it's so easy. They entertain each other and aside from the occasional fight, they really are best friends.

This. My 22 month age gap has made Rona exponentially easier - i don't know what my 4 and 6 year old even do all day, but they do it together.

I can’t take anyone seriously who uses to word “Rona.” Are you 17?

Not that PP but do you literally not have any friends at all? Everyone says Rona. The doctor/lawyer couple next door to me have masks that say “not today Rona”. The crazy sh** some of you absolute losers choose to get all huffy about, i swear to god!

I'm 40 and make almost 200k. I text like a teenager. Get at me dawg.

We should text. Lawd don’t let that ro ro get you!!!!

Mine are 22 months apart. I’ll echo what others said, the first few months are a blur. I suggest hiring a photographer for newborn photos, or family photos shortly after #2 arrives. I don’t remember the newborn phase at all. I was so busy, I didn’t take nearly as many photos as I wanted. I remember looking at the baby one day and thinking “where did my baby go?”
I will say their relationship is really the sweetest and it brings me joy. They make each other laugh and play well together and try to help the other when they are sad.

Congratulations, OP

My kids were 16 months apart and it was very hard at the time. However, now they are 4 and 5 and are best friends. They get up to no good, but the good times are priceless. Can't imagine life without them.

It’s effing hard, but there are such sweet moments too. And as others have said, depends on temperament and sex of the kids.

Oh man, it's so hard. But really depends on the kids' personalities. Close age + same sex = so many relentless, exhausting competition. But there are lovely moments when they play together.