https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:07:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-kids-age-gaps#post-2784885 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 16:24:48 +0000 JennyPenny 2784885@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My planned gaps are identical to @birdofafeather :) DS1 and DS2 are 2yr9mo apart and I loved that spacing. DS1 was potty trained and able to understand what was going on and help in limited ways. I was planning on doing the same again but that would put LO3 being born right around Christmas, so to avoid that we'll start trying a bit sooner. I like that DS1 would be in K before LO3 arrives though it does worry me that (if all goes to plan) he'll have only started for a few months before we add another sibling. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-kids-age-gaps#post-2784842 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 14:41:57 +0000 skinnycow 2784842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We wanted a 2 year gap between kids but we'll have at least 3 years due to other circumstances (if I get pregnant immediately). We wanted our kids to be close and to get out of the baby phase quickly. Things don't always go as planned unforunately so we're trying to make peace with a larger gap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-kids-age-gaps#post-2784825 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 14:03:54 +0000 MrsF 2784825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My three kids are each about 2.5 years apart. I wouldn't change a thing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-kids-age-gaps#post-2784761 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 11:25:21 +0000 matador84 2784761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There are 17 months between LO1 &amp; 2, and 5 years and 3.5 years between 1, 2, and 3. </p> <p>No particular reason. The oldest is kinder eligible even though he’s in private school, our tuition payment went down this year. The older two are extremely independent and it makes it easier on me because I have a dh who works long hours and goes on frequent business trips. It’s really a great age gap! The older two are so helpful with the little one the transition to 3 has been very smooth so far. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-kids-age-gaps#post-2784698 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 06:09:49 +0000 ValentineMommy 2784698@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had a 2.5 year gap between DS1 and DS1, then a 21 month gap between DS2 and DD.</p> <p>The 2.5 year gap was so. much. easier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-kids-age-gaps#post-2784697 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 06:02:36 +0000 Pumuckl 2784697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our gaps are pretty similar to what @Mamatimes3 posted. My first two are 21 months apart and they have the best relationship. They adore each other and pretty often play together these days. LO3 &amp; LO4 (TD &amp; TS) are 24 months younger than LO2. I had a 1 month break in which I wasn't pregnant or nursing :) So we were rocking 4 under 4 there for a couple of months. All that to say that we love the age differences. DS is very helpful and even DD is helping out a lot (like throwing away diapers, bringing diapers/wipes or making sure that all "big kids toys" are cleared before the twins get to play with them on the floor etc.). It will just be awesome one day that after what will probably be 6-6.5 years we will not need diapers anymore. But then I wouldn't want to be out of diapers and then go back to it... And while paying for 4 kids in full time daycare is rough, it's also just a phase and things will eventually get a little easier financially.<br /> So overall we are really happy with the age difference and I hope that all four of them will have great relationships with one another. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-kids-age-gaps#post-2784694 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 03:48:01 +0000 Kemma 2784694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first two are 2.5 years apart and there will be a three year gap between #2 and #3 although we did have a loss earlier this year and that gap would've been 2.5 years. My oldest will be 5.5 when our third comes along and she's seriously helpful! She can make a simple breakfast, feed the dog and help her brother get dressed, but she is starting school next year which will add another dimension to life (at the moment I work three days a week which gives us two days at home during the week).</p> <p>We didn't really plan the gaps, it's just the way it happened due to logistics and circumstances! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-kids-age-gaps#post-2784692 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 02:25:25 +0000 Purpledaisy 2784692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our two are 3 years and 3 months apart. For #3 we are planning on more like a 4 year gap. I want our second to be in preschool when baby #3 comes. I DO like the 3 year gap but our second is just such a harder kid than our first, that definitely factors into the decision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-kids-age-gaps#post-2784683 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 23:20:30 +0000 Mamatimes3 2784683@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>20 months between 1 and 2 and exactly 2 years between 2 and 3. We had them close together for a few reasons:<br /> 1. My siblings and I have larger age gaps and I didn't like it. My husband and his siblings are all very close in age and he liked it.<br /> 2. I was almost 34 when I had my 1st so I was worried about complications as I got older. Luckily, that wasn't a problem.<br /> 3. When I was done with the baby stage I didn't want to go back and start over.<br /> 4. I didn't want my kids to remember life before each other. My oldest doesn't remember life before his two siblings. </p> <p>It's hard but I wouldn't change it. And honestly, finances did not factor into my decision. That wasn't a deal breaker to us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-kids-age-gaps#post-2784677 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 21:04:35 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2784677@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>#1 &amp; 2 are 3 years apart. It may also have to do with different genders or I don't know what but they have done really well together!!</p> <p>#2 and 3 are going to be 27 (I think) months apart. Good thing I got pregnant before #2 became his toddlery (but charming! lol) self. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-kids-age-gaps#post-2784674 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 20:56:56 +0000 HappyBaker 2784674@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>#1 and #2 are 2 years, 4 months apart. #2 and 🍙-#3 will be 3 years, 4 months apart. We really just weren’t ready for a third until now! I’m really glad with how the timing worked out though because both big kids are out of diapers, sleeping in beds, and can be trusted alone for short periods while i shower or make dinner! Also my older will be starting K so we won’t have 3 in daycare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-kids-age-gaps#post-2784659 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 19:36:03 +0000 misolee 2784659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a 3.5 year gap between first and second. It was great. One preschool cost, only one kid in diapers, etc. </p> <p>Now we’re expecting 3rd, and there will be exactly 2 years apart. Thankfully first will be in kindergarten by then. But still we will def have two kids in diapers, etc 🙁 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-kids-age-gaps#post-2784653 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 18:49:15 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2784653@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There are three years and four days between my first and third. That was nutty.</p> <p>If we do four it'll be 2y9m minimum. The three year gap was pretty easy, it was one in the middle that made things tricky.</p> <p>That said the one year gap was the easiest with babies but hardest on my body. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-kids-age-gaps#post-2784649 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 18:21:29 +0000 QBbride 2784649@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a 2 year age gap between #1 and #2. It's getting easier now (2&amp;4) but the beginning was HARD and daycare costs were outrageous! This time we'll have minimum 3 years between #2 and #3. My first will be in Kindergarten then grade 1 when I'm back to work so daycare won't be as much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-kids-age-gaps#post-2784646 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 18:15:57 +0000 cyndistar3 2784646@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had 3.5 year gap between 1 and 2, a 2.5 year gap between 2 and three and there will be a 3.5 year gap between 3 and 4. I didn't plan it that way but I really like the 3.5 year gap, they're a little more self sufficient in that they play on their own and with siblings more by that time and they're most likely potty trained so you don't have 2 in diapers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-kids-age-gaps#post-2784645 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 18:12:40 +0000 skipra 2784645@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was 30 when my first was born and wanted to be done with babies before turning 35. Our first two are 20 months apart, second two are 28 months apart and oldest and youngest almost exactly 4 years. </p> <p>It was definitely easier going from 2-3 and having the bigger age gap. My oldest two could play together for a bit while I tended to the baby. The 20 month gap between the first two was really hard. (Although one of my friends is expecting her fourth and they are all spaced about 18 months apart so maybe it is just me that had a hard time with 2 under 2) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-kids-age-gaps#post-2784644 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 18:11:22 +0000 Mama Bird 2784644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If we go there, it would have to be a bigger gap. It's mostly a lot of little logistical things, and work stuff. Also the fact that I desperately need DS to stop complaining about how walking places is so hard, and for DD to become more reasonable, before we add another kid to the family. Otherwise we'll never be able to leave the house and we'll never sleep a wink. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-kids-age-gaps#post-2784640 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 18:00:42 +0000 birdofafeather 2784640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>our first two are 2y9m and 2nd and 3rd will be 2.5 years exactly. we actually would have probably had the last two closer together but DH started a new job and i knew i didn't want to deal with the tiredness of solo parenting a ton, so we waited 5 months. i loved having our first two almost 3 years apart but wanted our overall family spacing closer than a 6 year spread. i'm pretty excited about the timeline. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-kids-age-gaps#post-2784638 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 17:56:27 +0000 DesertDreams88 2784638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As of now, there will be a 2 year age gap between #1 and #2; and for #3, I've promised DH not open that door until there would be a 3 year age gap :) ;)</p> <p>Main reason is childcare payments.<br /> Next up is developmental: wanting them both to be potty-trained, talking, etc<br /> Lastly is just the physical impact of pregnancies, sleep deprivation, and breastfeeding, esp. with work.</p> <p>All that being said, #3 is just a hope, and #2 is still cooking :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-kids-age-gaps#post-2784637 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 17:52:25 +0000 gingerbebe 2784637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are planning on TTC for our 3rd a year from now. So DS2 would be 3 when our 3rd kid arrived, at the earliest.</p> <p>DS1 and DS2 are 20 months apart. DS2 was a surprise and while we love the spacing in terms of how close they are and how much adding the baby was a non-issue for DS1 (he was too young to realize what was happening), the back to back pregnancies were hard on my body and professionally, it wasn't great for me. DS1 is 3 now, and I think that having DS2 be that capable and independent (able to feed himself, potty trained, can talk and express his needs, etc) will be so much easier with a newborn. We'll probably have some attitude issues and what not with DS2, but whatever. DS1 will be 5 and in kinder and able to help me and occupy his brother more, so there's that too.</p> <p>I'm going to spend the next year enjoying my kids and maybe take a trip and stock up my personal leave and save money and get my health in check before going through the hellscape that is pregnancy one more time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-kids-age-gaps#post-2784631 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 17:27:49 +0000 codeitall 2784631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm trying to plan out when our third kid would ideally get here :silly: </p> <p>If you have more than 2 kids, were the gaps the same? Would you recommend different gaps between kids?</p> <p>What influenced your decision? Childcare payments, a house purchase, career things? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/party-planning#post-2563329 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 14:13:30 +0000 Snowybreeze 2563329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Eko: I actually do, my brother works at one. But I think for our purposes it's going to be more of a hassle going there. Thanks for the suggesting though! I remember your name from the Due date: June Board! We should create a board for these June baby parties :) and share some pics. Happy birthday to yours!</p> <p>I'll report back about the dollar store sometime this week! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/party-planning#post-2563322 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 14:01:42 +0000 Eko 2563322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Snowybreeze: this is going to be totally random, but are you close with anyone at a car dealership? They use balloons on their lot and we just asked if we could use it to blow up some balloons and they were cool with us doing it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/party-planning#post-2563284 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 12:56:09 +0000 swurlygurl 2563284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Snowybreeze: They just have bins of loose latex balloons at their helium tank (similar to the mylar balloons) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/party-planning#post-2563282 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 12:55:37 +0000 Snowybreeze 2563282@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MUI831: that totally sux!!! Gonna have to bribe the guests with more food then lol. And I got some Lego mixels for the bigger kids. Instead of just handing them out as favors, I'm thinking of giving them away through some fun competitive games. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/party-planning#post-2563278 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 12:51:22 +0000 Mommy Finger 2563278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Snowybreeze: Apparently the weather is just going to suck everywhere!!!! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/party-planning#post-2563275 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 12:50:36 +0000 Snowybreeze 2563275@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MUI831: ohh ok, haha I saw your post on the other board about the weather this weekend, so I thought we might be really close by. Thanks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/party-planning#post-2563273 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 12:48:25 +0000 Snowybreeze 2563273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@swurlygurl: thank you!! Why didn't I think of that!? We DID go to the dollar store and got my.daughter like 6 mylar balloons back in 2013 for her first birthday. We watched them inflate it. I just didn't think we could buy their latex balloons and get them inflated too. You mentioned packs of 5, do they have special packs that qualify to helium inflate it? Cause I'm pretty sure they have bigger packs, like packs of 30. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/party-planning#post-2563271 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 12:47:23 +0000 Mommy Finger 2563271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Snowybreeze: I'm in the Chicago suburbs so that might be different. But last time I was there was in November and I bought a dozen latex balloons and a mylar balloon. I think it was about a dollar for the latex balloons including the helium. The only thing extra was if I wanted extra float which would have gotten the latex balloons to last longer. I'm curious to know what I"ll find when I show up on Saturday.</p> <p>Though, I didn't know the dollar store had balloons so I'll have to check them out! Thanks for the tip, @swurlygurl: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/party-planning#post-2563253 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 12:38:18 +0000 swurlygurl 2563253@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DOLLAR STORE!! The dollar store by my house has great deals on latex balloons. You have to buy their balloon, but I want to say it was like 5 for a dollar? And then they have mylar ones for $1 (including inflation)!!</p> <p>ETA: 5 for a dollar includes balloon and helium </p>