maybe an only child isn't so bad

[curious&eager]

Ok, so I thought I wanted two but my LO is so difficult and I'm so tired that I cannot imagine having another one. He's nine months old. I'm hoping things will magically change at one year when he walks. Well he'll probably walk sooner because he's so active. Anyone else in the same boat? Everyone says that I'll want another one later, but I cannot imagine doing this year again.

[batsister]

I'm sorry you're having a tough time. I can't offer an answer to your question since my first child is 8.5 months old. While I wouldn't consider my son especially difficult, I am not ready for another one yet (though I eventually want more)... but I also hear that this changes as little ones get a bit older (maybe a few years old?). Either way, good luck!

[Pandme]

I said the same thing. When he was older that all changed....he became so much fun and started sleeping through the night. We decided to have another and my daughter was born last September.

[momtoS]

It is trickier at times with two. Three years are a challenge....ALL DAY. I have a five year old (that has always been a challenge) and an almost three year...I find three-four years the toughest.

Two children play together...but also fight and pick at each other too.

But one child may get lonely.

Whatever you decide will be fine!

[BlueWolf]

My daughter is so HNs that I have no intentions of ever having another child. I know there is a possibility that I might change my mind, but I feel pretty set in thinking that DD will be an only. I really never want to do these infant years ago.

[Alisse]

Both my husband and i can't imagine having a 2nd child anytime soon. We know our son is so much easier to take care of than many other babies but STILL we're constantly exhausted and cranky (at each other). So yeah we sometimes say it out loud, maybe one IS enough.

But we're told that the amnesia and insanity may come over us when he becomes a toddler.

[mambera]

I see a lot of MDC posters who say their second baby was less high-needs. I wonder if that's a real effect or not.

My dd is not 'high needs' but she is very active and intense. Nonetheless I really enjoy her and am fairly certain we will want another. Just... not right now. (DD is 10 months.) Wish I were younger!

[Norasmomma]

For me DD was much harder from 13-18 months, but having a second is much easier than the first. You are more seasoned and it is amazing the bond that children get. My DD is 3.5 and DS is 6 months, it actually has made her realize that the world doesn't revolve around her and it has helped having a sibling. I like having 2 more than one, it's made me a better mom.

[Path2Felicity]

awww mama, I totally hear you. My DD has been really tough too. We had lotsss of food issues (and are still having them) so I am just completely.burnt.out.

I don't know if it gets better or not but I really want DD to have a sibling. That is probably not a good reason to have another child.

But, you'll figure it out. And whatever you decide on will be what's best for you and your family

[firewoman]

You may be surprised that another baby may be completely different than your first and also by then you will be a more seasoned parent. My first was a holy terror and I swore off more children for a long while, but now I have 5! It will not likely magically get better at 1. Take him out first thing everyday and find ways to wear him out. That is the nice thing about active kids!

[MommyMad]

I'm of no help as I only have our 5 month old and I'm at the other end of the spectrum. While we want to have another one, we're scared that our next child won't be anything like our DS. Our DS is easygoing and we cannot fathom that another one will be just like him.

[russsk]

I felt that way until DS was about 18 months. I wanted no part of any more kids, and then one day I realized that DS wasn't so hard any more. I mean, he's not easy, but he's fun and keeps me busy and I can't wait to do it again.

[Pandme]

Originally Posted by mambera

I see a lot of MDC posters who say their second baby was less high-needs. I wonder if that's a real effect or not.

My dd is not 'high needs' but she is very active and intense. Nonetheless I really enjoy her and am fairly certain we will want another. Just... not right now. (DD is 10 months.) Wish I were younger!

'

Oh, if that were only true for me. DD is worse than DS but the difference is me. I have a huge meltdown on a few occasions but it is not the overwhelmed, hopeless feeling I often had with DS. Because you've BTDT and you know it gets better.

She's such a cranky kid though. Getting much better now that she's 6 months but man....she is tough.