https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 10 May 2026 18:21:58 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons/page/2#post-2553796 Sat, 21 May 2016 15:51:58 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2553796@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: see above. It wouldn't let me reply to both at once! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons/page/2#post-2553795 Sat, 21 May 2016 15:49:30 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2553795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@anonysquire: I'm happy to hear that 12 months wasn't impossible! T is 9 months now and we are on the list for a newborn anytime. Part of me thinks we're insane but we have no idea how long T will stay so we want to go ahead and take another sooner rather than later! I may be contacting you for logistics advice if one comes in the next few months! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons/page/2#post-2553717 Sat, 21 May 2016 12:00:07 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2553717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Almost exactly 3 years apart and it has been a great gap. But I think anything between about 2 and 4 years sounds pretty good. Before 2(ish) years is too soon IMO and after 4 it might be a little tough to start over but I know someone who also LOVES her 4 yr gap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2553578 Sat, 21 May 2016 01:20:33 +0000 lilteacherbee 2553578@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My boys are 20 months apart. The first couple of months were hard because my toddler still needed me a ton and my baby wasn't a great sleeper. BUT now at 2.5 and 9 months, its mostly great! They're starting to play with each other more and my oldest doesn't remember the baby not being here. </p> <p>We want one more, but I'm trying to decide whether to go for a similar gap or more like 2-2.5 years. There's definitely pros and cons to every situation, but I'm pretty happy with ours at this point! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2553565 Fri, 20 May 2016 22:48:54 +0000 anonysquire 2553565@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>12 months and it is awesome!!! Now I've missed the boat for the next kids age gap and it feels like it's going to be too big of a gap!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2553199 Fri, 20 May 2016 11:23:32 +0000 gingerbebe 2553199@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just had our baby Sunday - the boys are 20 months apart.</p> <p>So far the cons have been being pregnant during a demanding phase of DS' life and just feeling like you're tired mommy all the time. And having two in diapers and dealing with the toddler's constant messes is annoying. </p> <p>But the pros are that so far the baby hasn't affected DS emotionally. He seems too young to understand what's going on and acts like we got him a puppy. Lots of curiosity, giggles, baby petting. Newborn at this point sleeps a lot so I can try to shoot to have the baby sleep at some point between daycare pick up and bedtime so I can have some time with him. </p> <p>Knock wood! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2553161 Fri, 20 May 2016 10:23:42 +0000 pregnantbee 2553161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine will be a little over 4 yrs apart (4y 6w or so) when DD is born. I love it so far because DS is fully potty trained, out of his crib, can get dressed on his own, can get his own food and water from the fridge, understands what's going on. He'll be able to help me once she is here - get diapers, burp cloths, etc. We won't have to pay for 2 daycare/preschools for too long simultaneously, and we won't have to pay for 2 colleges at the same time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2553078 Fri, 20 May 2016 08:56:18 +0000 Rescuemom10 2553078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There is 9 years between our oldest and youngest. Although our oldest is biologically not mine. From my husbands first marriage. I thought the big age gap would be tough. But its actually more beautiful and amazing than I expected. DD1 is an amazing big sister. Especially with DD2 being a crazy toddler I expected DD1 to have little patience. She doesn't. They are closer than I ever dreamed possible.<br /> I'm pregnant now and there will be about 4 years between DD2 and the next little one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2553015 Fri, 20 May 2016 08:01:26 +0000 Mrs. Bee 2553015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>22 months. Pros - get the hard early years over with. they are best friends</p> <p>Cons - it was so expensive paying childcare for two. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2552958 Fri, 20 May 2016 06:49:31 +0000 mamabolt 2552958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine are 3.75 years apart. Number 2 is only a few weeks old but so far I do like that LO1 is quite independent and can understand correctly and was excited about the pregnancy and baby. But keeping up with her is a challenge and I know it will be a pain to never have them in the same school for long. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2552956 Fri, 20 May 2016 06:41:30 +0000 ALV91711 2552956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When/if we have another they will be at least 4 years apart and I'd be happy with that, DS is just 3.</p> <p>I have two sisters, 7 &amp; 10 years younger. We are all really close. DH on the other hand has a brother 2 years younger and they are not close at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2552952 Fri, 20 May 2016 06:16:47 +0000 Finfan 2552952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine are 3.5 years apart. I just wasn't ready until LO1 was 2.5. We were on the fence about a second and then one day I decided we should go for it so we did. DH always wanted a second but left it up to me since I had a really bad pregnancy with our first. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2552949 Fri, 20 May 2016 06:00:28 +0000 abmamma 2552949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine are almost exactly 3 years a part and we have been pretty happy with the age gap. My DD was potty trained, more independent and had a better understanding of having a baby. 3 hasn't been my favorite age with her but I think it would have been that way regardless. She loves her baby brother! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2552598 Thu, 19 May 2016 16:55:39 +0000 QBbride 2552598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine are 2 years 3 weeks apart, and I love it! I don't have anything to compare it to but it's been really good </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2552579 Thu, 19 May 2016 16:34:25 +0000 coopsmama 2552579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine are 13 months apart but they should've only been 12.5 months apart (I was two weeks late with the second). It's been awesome - wouldn't change a thing! Baby #3 will be 24 months younger than DD and I have NO idea what to expect. I'm nervous about it because the close age gap was so easy and a lot of fun. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2552563 Thu, 19 May 2016 16:17:15 +0000 matador84 2552563@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There are 17 months between my two. They are best buddies. Play well together because so close in age and so fun having my older one really look after the little one--has never really known any different since he was practically a baby still when we brought her home. Cons two in daycare really blows financially! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2552550 Thu, 19 May 2016 16:05:29 +0000 Mrs. Train 2552550@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Portboston: yep. Completely nuts!!! @pachamama: my oldest is adopted and I got pregnant about 2 weeks after he was born. @LatteLove: a little early. 37 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2552473 Thu, 19 May 2016 15:09:16 +0000 KT326 2552473@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine are going to be 4 years 9 months apart. I'm still pregnant, so I can't really list out the true pros and cons of such a large gap. But we live in an expensive area and it just made sense for us to wait. DS is so excited about getting a sibling, he keeps talking about all the things he is going to teach him/her, how he is going to help me feed the baby and change diapers. We'll see what happens when the baby actually gets here! </p> <p>What I do like right now is that he understands I'm tired and don't feel good (yay first trimester). He is pretty independent and likes to do stuff for himself, which really helps in the mornings when I have a hard time getting going. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2552416 Thu, 19 May 2016 14:20:18 +0000 Bubbles 2552416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine are 26 months apart... it is hard work! DS1 has actually been really great and has had minimal behaviour issues - but as someone else mentioned there is a real conflict of needs at this age! I can't imagine it being easy at any age but I am tempted to wait 3 years next time so DS2 is in preschool. But DH is Team Power Through! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2552406 Thu, 19 May 2016 14:14:34 +0000 psw27 2552406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was also told to wait 18 months because my LO was 6 weeks early, so I was planning to start right around then - but then I signed up for a marathon so I did that first. Now he is 21 months and we have a few events over the summer that interfere with TTC so hopefully they will be about 2 years and 9 months to three years apart if things work out/TTC doesn't take too long. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2552379 Thu, 19 May 2016 13:56:17 +0000 Torchwood 2552379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If we have another (DH is on the fence, I want one for sure), we have to wait a minimum of 18 months to reduce the risk of preterm labor happening again. Originally I wanted to start trying right at 18 months, but DH's company trip next year is the company's 20 year anniversary and I really don't want to miss it. It's going to be in the Bahamas, so I feel like Zika may be an issue. Plus traveling while pregnant makes me nervous now after everything. So (if I get DH on board), we'll start trying right after that trip. It's usually in June which is lo's bday month, so probably looking at around a 3 year gap.</p> <p>I wish they'd be closer together, but given that it took us 2 years to have LO, it's not like starting as soon as I get AF back would guarantee anything anyway. I'm glad to see positive 3 year gap responses! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2552369 Thu, 19 May 2016 13:52:21 +0000 birdofafeather 2552369@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2y9m apart and it's been great for the reason that DD1 is potty trained and can do a lot on her own. Their needs are very different (emotional versus physical) but I think that's true of any other kid so her independence is much appreciated! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2552135 Thu, 19 May 2016 11:27:05 +0000 lovehoneybee 2552135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're only 5 months into two kids, and they are just under 3.5 years apart. It's been rough, honestly. On one hand, E was pretty much potty-trained (he still wears a diaper at night and for naps), is very verbal, and very independent. He was old enough when I was pregnant to sort of understand that a baby was coming (some of his classmates have younger siblings), and was very excited about her. He loves her to pieces, and is very helpful with things like diapers and feedings. </p> <p>But he's also had some big behavioral issues since I went back to work, some of which might just be his age but most I think is about getting attention. Unfortunately, with my husband's schedule I solo parents most nights (after working a full day), so by the time I get us all fed and both kids ready for bed I just don't have a lot of time to give him the attention he wants. I make sure he gets it from both me and D on the weekends, but it's really not enough. And poor G barely gets any one on one attention from me during the week, because the older one is so very demanding of it. </p> <p>I'm hoping something breaks soon. I'm exhausted and worried that he's going to be kicked out of his preschool :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2552110 Thu, 19 May 2016 11:09:54 +0000 kes18 2552110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pachamama: Yeah funny enough my DH's brothers are all two years apart (2 years, 2 year, 2 years, and then the 4th is 8 years younger than my DH- he was an oops) and DH is the oldest. Him and the next born HATED each other in middle and high school. Lots of competition and rivalry. But all 4 are pretty close now as 25+ year olds, even my DH (32) and his youngest brother (24). My brothers are 3 years younger than me but we're not super close. Just personalities I suppose. We get along, just not real close. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2552107 Thu, 19 May 2016 11:07:40 +0000 Anagram 2552107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We didn't have any strong feelings on child spacing but we've been very happy with how it's turned out with our girls being a little less than 25 months apart. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2552105 Thu, 19 May 2016 11:06:51 +0000 NorthStar 2552105@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pachamama: @Portboston: I think they adopted their first and then were pregnant with twins (or vice versa)! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2552102 Thu, 19 May 2016 11:06:01 +0000 Adira 2552102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pachamama: She got pregnant while adopting!</p> <p><a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2012/06/06/a-surprise-pregnancy/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2012/06/06/a-surprise-pregnancy/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2552100 Thu, 19 May 2016 11:04:43 +0000 Portboston 2552100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kes18: @pachamama: totally agree! My sister and I are 3 years apart and have never gotten along due to personality differences </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2552088 Thu, 19 May 2016 10:59:11 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2552088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've done one year, two years, and three years exactly.<br /> One was the easiest, and two was the hardest but none were all that crazy difficult.</p> <p>The hardest part of Irish twins was being pregnant again so soon. Other than that it's been super easy. They both sleep a lot. Don't require tons of exercise. No jealously. </p> <p>Two was tricky just in that their needs were in conflict. One needed a lot of stimulation and the other needed to sleep. My oldest didn't understand that she couldn't climb on me and the baby while we were nursing.</p> <p>Three was a touch earlier than two because she's in part time preschool and is mildly helpful. We've had a few bumps with her needing more one on one attention, but with sleeping babies that hadn't been too difficult to accommodate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gap-between-kids-pros-and-cons#post-2552085 Thu, 19 May 2016 10:57:03 +0000 avivoca 2552085@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pachamama: She adopted her older son while experiencing infertility and then found out she was pregnant with twins. </p>