Considering Having Another Child

Going from 1 to 2 was WAY easier than 0 to 1!! You'll still have the days where you wonder WTH was I thinking...those never go away LOL!!

Don't have another baby for your two year old -only have one if YOU really want one. Having babies so your kids have siblings is a terrible reason to do so. Many siblings can't even stand each other! Why don't you give it a little time, and if you and your husband really want another child -then go for it! If you decide you don't want to do it again -that's perfectly okay as well. There are many, many happy and content only children out there. I'm one of them!

We had our first two at 12 months apart, others were 2 years apart, two others were 2 1/2 years apart and I think with whatever age difference there is still work and occasional fighting or not, etc., etc. I would NOT have a baby for my other child to have a sibling. Have a baby because you want one to love and raise period. If you can handle one you can handle two. 'Handle' means love, enjoy, teach, play with, love, discipline, support, love,' etc. If you look at it as a chore then don't have another one.

The more kids you have the easier it gets. They play, fight, argue, etc...with each other and pretty much ignore you unless the feel bad or want some snuggles.

I find that bigger families really do have it easier.

One of my friends has 6 and she was talking about starting her 2 year old, her youngest, at potty training and her next child, age 5, told her "No mom, he has on underwear and goes pee by himself"....she looked and sure enough, he had on underwear. She asked the other boy who did it and the older kids had been taking him for months. She just thought the kids were helping change his diapers. The oldest was a teenager so it wasn't like they were all little kids.

J. go for it if thats the only thing stopping you, but before that I'd reconnect. I remember the 1st two years being hard on M. and my ex's relationship. Also she'll be three by the time you have the baby (oops I think 3 is harder=) ) If you realyl think it would put a toll on your realtionship if she's a tough 2 year old why not wait and try when she;s 3? then she'll be in preschool by the time the baby is here and be a little more calmI have no knowledge on this though since I split with my ex J. as we started trying for a 2nd

That's why we tried for our second before we hit that age...lol Yes. I have been there when we went from our second to our third which are three years apart! Just remember by the time you have your next you will be through the 2's with your first!!

Oh yes... I went through this, my kids are exactly 2 years apart! But now my boys are best buds and it has improved. I wouldn't have changed the timing for the world, even though at the time I said, "What am I thinking!?" b/c it was quite challenging.

In the meantime, Dr. Sears has some excellent advice that can help with your 2 year old :)

http://askdrsears.com/topics/discipline-behavior
http://askdrsears.com/topics/discipline-behavior/botherso...

My oldest daughter (now 8) was exactly 3 when my younger daughter (now 5) was born. She was great to have around. She helped with small tasks ("Can you get Mommy a diaper for the baby?" or "Can you go get Mommy a burp rag while I feed the baby?"), and loved to help with bath time, feeding time, etc. She was also great at keeping the baby entertained for 30 seconds while I ran to the bathroom.

I tend to be high stress too, especially after my 2nd was born (until I was diagnosed with bipolar and depression, which I am now fully medicated for), so it was not without its difficulties. I sometimes felt like I was going crazy and I know that my then 3-year-old took the brunt of it sometimes, sacrificing the attention she needed and deserved because mommy couldn't hold it together. I still feel guilty about those months, and I probably always will.

At the end of the day, this is a deeply personal decision. For me, things got easier, but I still wish that I could have been a better Mommy in the months after my second child was born.

Now that I'm fully treated for my mood disorder and depression, my third child is on the way, and I am confident that I will handle this one much better.

Whatever you decide, best wishes to you!

It's different for every family. Life definitely changes with the second child ( I didn't realize how easy life was with only one child) it also depends on you, can you handle it? your financial situation, lifestyle, your husband and your family schedule / involvement. Even personalities of your children. If it's all on you witout any help, it's extremelly tough....but of course you will always find a way. In my situation, Sahm, no family close by, husbands international travel. I'm so use to my gynocologist and dentist appts to bring my kids along. The post office trips are challenging, especially when they both fall asleep then there must be another attempt:) on the positive note, lots of luck and success. A baby is a blessing, god gives you what you need not what you want.