https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:14:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/close-age-gap-what-were-the-hardest-and-easiest-times#post-2757314 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 21:18:40 +0000 lilteacherbee 2757314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first/second are 20 months apart and my second/third are 21 months apart. They are now 3.5, 23 months, and 2 months. The first 3 months after my second was born was really hard. My oldest acted out a lot and took awhile to adjust. Also, as others have said, when DS2 was crawling/beginning to walk, he destroyed things and annoyed DS1, which created issues. However, now they play together and are best friends. They get along really well (my second is wild and crazy and fights back when his brother gets pushy :silly: but they mostly play nicely together )</p> <p>DS2 has had a much easier time adjusting to being a big brother, probably because he's used to sharing attention. I mean, it's still crazy because, well, 3 kids under 4, but the close age gap hasn't been too much of an issue yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/close-age-gap-what-were-the-hardest-and-easiest-times#post-2757293 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 20:03:20 +0000 runnerd 2757293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FaithFertility: I'll let you know if the light at the end of the tunnel was closer or farther away than I thought 😂 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/close-age-gap-what-were-the-hardest-and-easiest-times#post-2757290 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 19:46:52 +0000 FaithFertility 2757290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runnerd: Yes, I am starting to see this...<br /> DS is way more mobile and all over at only 8 months, I can see what yoh are saying being me in the next 3 months when DS is 1 and D'S is almost 3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/close-age-gap-what-were-the-hardest-and-easiest-times#post-2757283 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 19:12:52 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2757283@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My youngest two are 12 months apart. I'd say the first six months were the easiest. I've been lucky with easy happy sleepy babies. After eight months when the youngest started walking it got hard. She was no longer content to hang out in the stroller. Having two toddlers and a three year old was really hard. They scatter! Making sure they are all stimulated is tricky because what entertains my oldest isn't necessarily safe for the little ones and she's bored by their stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/close-age-gap-what-were-the-hardest-and-easiest-times#post-2757281 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 18:59:06 +0000 runnerd 2757281@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a 23 month gap so farther apart. Easiest was first 4-5 months when LO2 slept a lot and was just along for the ride to LO1's activities.</p> <p>Hardest has been the past 3 months (LO1 is about to be 3, and LO2 just turned 1) since LO2 is mobile but not walking, gets bored easily, super clingy, then wants to crawl on ground etc. just makes it really hard to go places for extended periods! Starting to see light at end of tunnel :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/close-age-gap-what-were-the-hardest-and-easiest-times#post-2757232 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 15:43:46 +0000 autumnleaves 2757232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: I am hoping things get better when LO2 turns 2 - right now he is almost 15 months and plowing into LO1s toys and most of the time there is fussing/crying from LO1 over all the mess and noise LO2 is making. I am guessing once LO2 becomes more verbal and walks it will get better - I hope so - right now it is very hard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/close-age-gap-what-were-the-hardest-and-easiest-times#post-2757193 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 14:30:22 +0000 FaithFertility 2757193@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My two are 22 months apart<br /> First month was hard just due to new routines, sleep and such!<br /> DD has honestly been a rock star in my eyes with him!<br /> DS is now 8 months and crawling, pulling to stand and all over<br /> This past weekend I was solo and it was exhausting lol<br /> I went shopping with them<br /> DD was great but D'S was trying to stand in cart, so between trying to keep a great eye on her and him it was too much lol<br /> Plus she wants to play with him and he is already wanting whatever she has etc... fun times </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/close-age-gap-what-were-the-hardest-and-easiest-times#post-2757185 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 14:03:10 +0000 RonjaL7 2757185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine are 14 months apart and currently 14 months and 2 years 4 months. </p> <p>I find different day to day things easy or hard. For example when I was feeding the youngest bottles that time was really hard, but now that we are on solids and feeding is easier toy sharing has become a problem when it wasn't before. So I exchange hard things I suppose. </p> <p>Our current struggles are mostly when the oldest wants to have, watch, or play with something that the other one shouldn't. For example, dried macaroni. I'm also worried my youngest sees the oldest temper tantrums and is learning that behavior. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/close-age-gap-what-were-the-hardest-and-easiest-times#post-2757181 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 13:58:25 +0000 justjules 2757181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine are exactly 18mo apart. The hardest part is keeping them mostly separated. At (almost) 3 and 21 months, Ezra is still very aggressive in his love. We can't keep baby in a low baby holders like a swing or RNP without hovering around her because Ez will go from patting her head trying to "tickle" her in 2 seconds... we are still working on gentle hands. Ez is verrrry extroverted so I'm looking forward for them to be able to play together </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/close-age-gap-what-were-the-hardest-and-easiest-times#post-2757180 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 13:57:37 +0000 snowjewelz 2757180@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine are exactly 2 years apart. While things got easier day by day, I just say when DD2 could sit up unassisted (5-6 mo) it got so much easier b/c I don't need to hold onto her to participate with DD1. I def agree that when she can crawl it will be hard again since I'd have to really keep an eye on her. Our home will not longer be gated off like we did with DD1 since DD1 will need access. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/close-age-gap-what-were-the-hardest-and-easiest-times#post-2757178 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 13:54:16 +0000 Adira 2757178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@renee0106: It can be rough, but not always. Occasionally they would play together - like chasing each other around or throwing a ball back and forth. But other times my older would be building block towers or making train track and my younger would just plow through them, causing a fit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/close-age-gap-what-were-the-hardest-and-easiest-times#post-2757175 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 13:46:50 +0000 Mamatimes3 2757175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 1st two are 20 months apart and then I have a 2 year gap between 2 and 3. </p> <p>I think it got easier when the baby was maybe six months or so and could be entertained somewhat by their sibling making them laugh. It definitely got much easier once they could play together. But then that gets hard later on because they then start to fight more. I also think it depends on personalities. </p> <p>Overall I love having them that close even though it's harder on me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/close-age-gap-what-were-the-hardest-and-easiest-times#post-2757174 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 13:37:04 +0000 renee0106 2757174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: My DS2 isn't crawling yet so it sounds like I'm in for another rough phase when that happens. Eek! </p> <p>@mrs.kiwi: Yes I've definitely heard a lot of "its hard at first but it gets easier." I was just hoping it would get easier sooner than later, but that's not the case so far. Sounds like I at least have until DS2 hits one before I see the light! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/close-age-gap-what-were-the-hardest-and-easiest-times#post-2757167 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 13:22:32 +0000 mrs.kiwi 2757167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine aren't as close as yours- 22 mo apart. Thankfully my second baby was healthy and pretty easy (and we knew what we were doing haha) and my first transitioned soo much better than I imagined so it was never too bad.</p> <p>I think the first year in general was physically hard. The first 6 months I was sleep deprived (she was a decent sleeper but she wasn't a unicorn angel baby) and my toddler still needed a lot of physical help. From 6-12 months it was fun bc baby develops so much but mobility and eating solids equals more work for mom. I was getting better sleep but I was physically tired fixing baby meals and having to supervise and worry about a mobile baby who puts everything in her mouth.</p> <p>My second is 16 mo now and my first is a little past 3. I'd say after she's walking, weaned, and more flexible with sleep it's easier. We can be more chill about outings, the youngest eats everything so I can pack one lunch they can share, no more nursing, she's stable on her feet so I can just let them play and not "supervise" as much.. she generally doesn't put things in her mouth anymore and the two kids really do just enjoy each other and keep each other company.</p> <p>I remember hearing a lot re close age gaps: "it's hard at first but it gets sooo much easier" and in my limited experience it is true! Probably more so for you since yours are so close in age!! Hang in there you'll be chillaxing as your kiddos run around and play together soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/close-age-gap-what-were-the-hardest-and-easiest-times#post-2757164 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 13:14:11 +0000 Adira 2757164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine weren't quite that close, but 21 months apart.</p> <p>For us, the hardest was the first 6 weeks. My oldest acted out a TON and my youngest still required a ton of attention (nursing, diapers, holding, etc.).</p> <p>The next hard phase was when my youngest was 9 months and started crawling. Once he could move and get to my older's toys and stuff, it was a disaster. Lots of having to keep them separated!</p> <p>I feel like it's gotten a LOT better since my youngest turned 2. He's finally old enough that he doesn't just destroy everything and the two have shared interests and can actually play together! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/close-age-gap-what-were-the-hardest-and-easiest-times#post-2757162 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 13:00:34 +0000 renee0106 2757162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DS1 is 21 months and DS2 is 6.5 months. So we have a 14.5 month age gap. As of right now I would say the hardest time was when they were about 2 months and 16 months old at the same time. As for the easiest time...I'm not sure there has been one yet. It seems like it's getting easier every day but very very slowly. I'm hoping there's a light at the end of this tunnel so I wanted to see what everyone thought.</p> <p>If you had a close age gap I'm curious as to what you think were the easiest and hardest times? (In terms of how old each kid was)?</p> <p>Also any tips/tricks on managing daily life with this close age gap? I work Full-time outside of home and my husband works retail (so mostly nights and weekends) so I have them on my own a majority of the time. </p>