Let's talk about the REAL realities of adding a 2nd child to the family - Page 2

[ellemenope]

DD is 2y2m and we are best buddies. Especially becasue DH travels a lot. I don't want anything to pull me away from her yet. Also, she is a dream 2YO so far, but I worry what the 3s would bring. I wont even go into my terrible MS and DD being one very high needs infant.

We have a TTC#2 date of July 2012. DD would be 4y11m when #2 would be born according to this plan. But, I am wondering about pushing that back a whole year. #2 should be our last and I am young. A lot depends on how receptive DD is to school. Having her in a full day setting would allow for uninterrupted bonding with #2.

[newbiemama09]

wowzers. what a thread. i appreciate all the mom's being perfectly honest about how hard it is and will be. there's nothing worse than being told everything will be fine and don't share you struggles. i love that we can support each other as moms and women who have been there and done that. i must say, though, DH and i are talking about when to have more and it's overwhemling to think about adding another kid on, but i am also so so so excited. i know DD will be a great oldest sibling, she already loved her bebes and can be helpful. it will be wonderful to know i can come to my MDC friends and complain about the hard times!

[hilary549]

thanks to the moms who shared their experiences. i have a 19 mo old and we are ttc #2 and this is very helpful to read. and makes me feel more at peace with the fact that i'm not pg yet. i am indeed enjoying this me time on the computer right now...

[lookatreestar]

my kids are 2y2m apart and while it is hard and kind of like having two babies in the beginning, she was awesome with the baby. no jealousy, no hitting, it wasn't until he started to walk and hit her that it got trickier to keep everyone safe. (my dd was a dream 2yo and is just now starting to get difficult at age 3.5, ds was an easy baby, and is a difficult toddler a lot of the time-he is very impulsive ) i think i had it easy, but at the same time i feel like i have to do everything perfect so i make it hard on myself (i have recently been doing better with this though, if everyone doesn't have clean clothes, meh! if the kitchen isn't spotless, whatever!)

[VTmamadownsouth]

this thread is EXACTLY what i was looking for! DS is 2y8m and i'm trying to figure out how this whole 2nd child business works. i'd like for him to have a sibling, but i'm not super anxious to transition away from our very special relationship just yet. DS was a pretty tough baby; very fussy, terrible sleeper, constantly needed to be held, still doesn't do much independent play and wants to nurse all the time. my intuition tells me that 4 years between children is logical from a cultural/historical perspective, and based on some of the feedback i've read, it sounds like the 3's could have some more interesting challenges in store for me.

thanks for raising the question, OP, and please do keep the input coming, all you experienced mamas out there!