Thinking about having second child once first is in school... - Page 2

[J-Max]

My oldest 2 are just 3 months short of 5 years apart. I got my BS after #1 was born and wanted to finish that or we have had more sooner (I was 6 months preg when grad ). There were some initial jelousy issues, but I don't know how much of that was the baby and how much was #1 being with mom durring the day instead of with grandma. DD#1 was/is ery helpfull and it was great when I was on bedrest for 6 weeks and she could fend for herself while I lay on the couch. I really liked having the time to spend durring the day with #2, then beign able to play with her sister when she came home from school. We live on a rural bus route - so no driving to school unless we miss the bus. At times it is hard because they are at very different developmental stages in live, but it also makes them more tollerant of getting along with others not the same age.

Now #2 and #3 are 19 months apart! I LOVE this spacing, they are the best of friends - most of the time. Niether of them remembers not having the other. (Occasionally #1 will say she wishes she were an only child - usually when her sisters get into somthing of hers).

So, I love our spacing. We are planing on another baby in the next year or so, so a spacing of about 3 years, and if I can talk dh into it, another one close!

[maliceinwonderland]

Dd will be 7 and 1/2 when the baby gets here, and I feel like it's going to work out really well. Dd hasn't shown any concern about getting less attention (although other people make really stupid comments about this in front of her). It feels like she's had her time as an only and is just dying to have the baby around. She's been begging to let the baby share her room, despite knowing that babies get up and scream at all hours of the night. It's also motivated her to start doing a lot of things for herself that she never tried before, like making her own breakfast etc and is always really proud and mentions that she'll be able to do these things for herself when I'm busy with the baby..although I've mentioned more than once that I'm always happy to make her breakfast

There's 16 years and 11 years difference between myself and my older sisters, and we get along really well. Actually, I'd rather hang out with them than people my own age.

There's 13 years difference between two of my nephews, and they adore eachother as well. Although I'll warn you, it was all my sister could do not to bawl when her oldest son was teaching her youngest how to play hockey on their backyard rink last year

[wsgrl84]

From a mom's point of view, I can imagine having the 2 kids spaced out farther apart can suit them very well...

BUT speaking from the kid myself, I don't know if it will work out for every family.

I'll be 23 soon and my brother is only 9, and well...we don't really "play" with each other if you know what I mean. I'm more like a second mom to him, telling him to finish his homework, to listen to mom, etc etc. And now that I'm married with my own family, I hardly see him or hang out with him (not because I hate him or anything). And for awhile back, when I was in college, he has been nagging my mom, wanting her to play with him and my mom was going NUTS! Now it's a lot better because my bro made a lot of friends his age and goes to each other houses to play.

Hope my opinion helps...I wasn't trying to ditch moms with kids who are spaced out farther apart. I did play with my brother and helped my mom a lot when he was just a tiny baby.