https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:57:20 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children/page/2#post-1559056 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 11:00:43 +0000 Cherrybee 1559056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: You're in the same place as me then, mentally. Like, I always knew I wanted another child but I'm only just now getting to the point where the idea doesn't make me feel physically sick and my palms sweat. But not yet, definitely not yet! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children/page/2#post-1559007 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 10:53:11 +0000 anandam 1559007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've read that research in maternal and family health supports 18-24mo as the ideal break from birth to new pregnancy. So between births that's like 2.5yrs? No personal experience yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children/page/2#post-1558656 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 09:50:08 +0000 winniebee 1558656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2 is pretty good in my mind. If this baby sticks ours would be 31 months apart (2 years, 7 months). I think that's pretty good too (my sister and I are 2.5 years apart and it was for the most part great!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children/page/2#post-1558641 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 09:48:18 +0000 lavender 1558641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: having them close in age has definitely been challenging. DD #1 is still going to daycare 4 days a week while I'm on maternity leave. DD #2 is 11 weeks old and the days I have them home together it does get stressful sometimes, they always need me at the same time. However #1 is at the point where she can play by herself for 15 mins as I tend to #2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children/page/2#post-1558637 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 09:47:41 +0000 Foodnerd81 1558637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: NOOOOOO baby fever over here, not to worry! I'm just saying, a few months ago, the idea of having another baby was very scary. Now, it's like, yeah, I definitely want to do that in the not SO distance future, but not too soon either. And if it happened by accident, I could come around pretty quickly-- but I will be taking all precautions to make sure it doesn't happen by accident! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children/page/2#post-1558501 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 09:20:38 +0000 Adira 1558501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: @Cherrybee: My brother and I pretty much only did activities through our school, so my parents didn't have to really worry about driving us around that much (except for evening and weekend things like boy scouts/girl scouts/sporting games). But during the week, we'd pretty much just stay after school to do whatever activity we had. And the schools always had people on hand to watch us until 5:00/5:30 when parents could pick us up.</p> <p>ETA: I should say, we each had one non-school related activity that we did. My brother was in boy scouts and I was in girl scouts and then took piano lessons once a week. Since all our other activities were through the school, it didn't seem like my parents had to do a TON of driving around - just picking us up late a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children/page/2#post-1558447 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 09:11:35 +0000 dolphin 1558447@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted 2.5 years because that's what I'm aiming for! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children/page/2#post-1558334 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 08:52:11 +0000 looch 1558334@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: Haha, right? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children#post-1558306 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 08:45:58 +0000 Cherrybee 1558306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Or a lottery win, a chauffeur, a chef and a time machine! I might give Gwenneth Paltrow a call and ask her for some of her time management tips! :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children#post-1558285 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 08:42:33 +0000 looch 1558285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: haha, no, not at all! Don't forget, you're working and activities are usually right after school, so that means organizing after care as well as potentially leaving the school campus.</p> <p>My mom told me that the hardest part of having 3 children was the time when we were more or less all in elementary school. I was in one school, my middle brother in another because they redistricted and my youngest brother has special needs, so she was literally in the car from 8:30-4 with our drop offs, activities, pick ups, etc.</p> <p>There's no perfect answer...I mean, there is a happy medium which would involve either a SAHM or a nanny, or possibly leveraging grandparents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children#post-1558245 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 08:35:49 +0000 Cherrybee 1558245@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: You have just raised a really good point (and one that @looch: had me thinking about too....). I have been worrying about not being able to enjoy DD's toddlerhood - doing arts and crafts with her, taking her swimming, playing in the ball pit - because I will be tied up with a new baby. But the baby baby stage only lasts for, say, 6 months - and if they're closer in age, I can do these things with the kids together. If they are further apart, I will be juggling to stimulate two children of very different ages...... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children#post-1558218 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 08:31:09 +0000 Ree723 1558218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Right around two years - young enough to eliminate a lot of the jealousy issues, but old enough that they are somewhat self-sufficient. Our two girls are 19 months apart, which was a bit on the early end of our timeline as we said ideally 18-22 months apart, but it has been nice. It definitely has its challenges, but it is so, so nice to snuggle with my two babies and soak up every minute of their sweet babyhood. I'm also really looking forward to doing things as a family that both kids will enjoy as they'll pretty much be at the same stage developmentally all their lives.</p> <p>Now that being said, if we have a third, it won't be for another 2.5-3 years at least! Two I can manage, just barely somedays, but three might be enough to push me over the edge! :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children#post-1558214 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 08:30:29 +0000 Cherrybee 1558214@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: But that could be a problem whatever age they are!!!! Are you trying to talk me into one-and-done?! Please carry on!! :wink: We've got two cars, we will take one child each....! There! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children#post-1558200 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 08:28:22 +0000 Cherrybee 1558200@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs squirreld: Hahaha!! That comment (the together/separately bit) made me spit some of my tea out!!! And no, you didn't get me thinking - you're a crazy lady and I refuse to take you and your baby fever seriously!!! Now get off my thread!! :heart: :heart: :heart: Hahaha..... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children#post-1558183 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 08:24:05 +0000 Mrs squirreld 1558183@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: Mwah ha haaaa... Did I get you thinking?! Come on let's TTC together again (seperately...lol) ;-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children#post-1558177 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 08:23:09 +0000 Littlebit 1558177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't had my first yet, but my brother and I are almost exactly one year apart....I think two years would have been better. It may have been our personalities, but we hated each other growing up. Now it's not a problem and we're pretty close. I think we'll be doing at least 2 years in between ours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children#post-1558168 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 08:21:20 +0000 looch 1558168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: Let's say you have one kid involved in music and the other in sports, and they both have practice on the same day...what would you do? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children#post-1558164 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 08:20:33 +0000 snowjewelz 1558164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted 2 but I think 2-3 would be ideal for me. My sister is 7 years younger than me, and we weren't close till she was in high school &amp; I was done with college! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children#post-1558160 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 08:20:12 +0000 LuLu Mom 1558160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2.5 years for us, hopefully LO will be potty trained, in a big girl bed, and will understand the concept of a little sibling. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children#post-1558155 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 08:19:12 +0000 Cherrybee 1558155@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: Woah!!! Foodnerd!!!!! Is that a little bit of baby fever brewing??! (you're crazy! agh!). </p> <p>@looch: That would be the case even if they were 5 years apart, though. Over here, they send homework from primary school right through. And at least if they were closer in age, they are more likely to be doing the same activities - in the same Scout troop, for example. Rather than one going to Cub Scouts and then the other going to Scouts straight after....</p> <p>..... am I talking myself into this??? NEWBORNS! That's better, I've scared myself back out of it!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children#post-1558124 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 08:10:56 +0000 Mamaof2 1558124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine are 2.5 yrs apart but I was aiming for 3 years apart.</p> <p>I wanted my 1st to be more independent when #2 came along. Out of diapers, able to verbally tell me if something is wrong, STTN, understand why mommy couldn't do XX right now when I had to deal with the baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children#post-1558123 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 08:10:45 +0000 Foodnerd81 1558123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: I don't put too much stock in age spacing and subsequent relationships growing up. My older sister and I are 4 years apart (5 years in school due to birthdays) and we have always been super close, though we did used to wish we were closer in age. My two little sisters are just two years apart and are also really close. So I think it's more important to space based on the parents needs and wishs- financially, wanting to get the newborn days done, whatever. </p> <p>For us we will aim for a 2.5-3 year gap probably. Like you I'm in my 30s and not getting younger, but I also want time to really enjoy C as an only child... And time to let that mommy amnesia set in about the first few months. </p> <p>That said, last night I realized that I am actually looking forward to doing it all over again! I was thinking about baby kicks in my belly and was a tiny bit excited. But not yet!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children#post-1558063 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 07:51:58 +0000 looch 1558063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you have to also look at what it would be like during the school years...do you have the time to devote to helping two children with their homework, preparing for the week, dealing with activities if you choose to do them.</p> <p>I think it's one thing when they're small and don't really have anything going on versus when they're older and have actual things to do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children#post-1558057 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 07:47:47 +0000 Cherrybee 1558057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@junebugmama: I said that the other day - that I'm really feeling being that little bit older than some of the other mums I spend time with. I think the sleep deprivation, particularly, would have been much either in my mid twenties than mid thirties!</p> <p>@PermaStudent: Haha! You got me!! I was just hoping to see a huge cluster around 2yo, then I could tell myself that it's just obvious, we need to try in 5 months! But alas, that isn't the case!! </p> <p>Hahahaha! @littlek: - that made me laugh! </p> <p>@lavender: How are you finding the 22 month age gap? Do you feel that you have enough time to devote to your older child? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children#post-1558033 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 07:37:56 +0000 junebugmama 1558033@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>J1 and J2 are 4yrs apart. J2 and J3 will be 2yrs. </p> <p>4 years apart was awesome during pregnancy. J1 was self sufficient. He understood if I needed to rest, was obviously potty trained, could get his own snacks and drinks, get himself dressed, and could sit still and watch a movie if I was having a particularly bad day. (I had hg with both pregnancies) I also ended up on bed rest due to preeclampsia and he managed it so well. Trying to care for a toddler during this pregnancy has been really exhausting. It's been difficult to manage and really overwhelming and frustrating at many times. DH's siblings are all 4yrs apart too and are very close. My sister and I are exactly 1yr apart. I'm not sure how my mom did it, but she was 20 which I think has something to do with it as well. I'm old lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children#post-1558025 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 07:33:51 +0000 Koolbreeze 1558025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My boys are 2.5 years apart. Exactly what @yin said! Took the words right out of my mouth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children#post-1558021 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 07:30:39 +0000 yin 1558021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wanted my kids to be 2 - 2.5 years apart, and they are 2.5. Our decision was based off our experiences with our siblings. Mine are 9+ years apart, and DH's sister is 5 years younger. We wanted our kids to be much closer in age to foster a close relationship. I think 2.5 years is perfect for us because DS1 can communicate with us and have a better understanding of having a sibling. There isn't too much jealousy, and they get along really well right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children#post-1558015 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 07:27:45 +0000 lawbee11 1558015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We probably aren't having another but if we were we'd shoot for a 3-3.5 year age gap. I would want to enjoy the first few years with just one, space out daycare expenses (and college expenses later on), hopefully the older one would be more self-sufficient when the younger is born, etc. I know some people like to just get the newborn stage over with so they have their kids back to back but that has never appealed to me and especial doesn't now that I actually have a LO. Having 2 under 2 would not be good for my mental health! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children#post-1557999 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 07:21:13 +0000 Dandelion 1557999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm liking the 6 year difference bewtween ds and M a lot. The only thing is that I've forgotten a bit about the newborn years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-two-children#post-1557998 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 07:20:32 +0000 mrsjyw 1557998@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For our family, we hope it's 2.5-3 years apart! </p> <p>My brother and I are 20 months apart and grew up very close and he is still one of my closest confidants. So I'd like to have children closer together than further apart just from personal experience. </p>