Having another child

United States
October 31, 2006 12:18pm CST
What do you think is the ideal age spacing between the first and second child? Do you think having a sibling is better for the older child? When did you decide to have a second child, how old was your first? I need some advice on this topic. Thank you so much!
9 responses
@wahmoftwo (1296)
• United States
31 Oct 06
I think it depends on you mostly. My children are almost exactly five years apart and it has been wonderful. The oldest has never resented the youngest. I would not have done well with them much closer together. That would have been too much sleep depravation for me! I know some people who have kids two years apart and they play together very well. Others who have them that close together fight ALL the time. I think it may partly be a parenting issue though. Good luck with whatever you decide.
@j_thomas (957)
• India
1 Nov 06
The ideal age spacing must be 3 to 5 years between the 1st child and 2nd child.it will ideal bcoz the older one would be got all love for past 3 to 5 years and he will be matured enough to accept his brother or sister.
• United States
31 Oct 06
I got pregnant the second time when my son had just turned 2, but ended up having a miscarriage at the end of the 3rd month, I really wanted to have a child for my son to have a play mate because he loves to play with other kids. I think it is good either way I have a friend who had then a little less than 2 years apart and she is having a rough time because they both are so young. I am not enjoying time with my son cause these little moments will not last forever. So i think I might wait a little while longer for my next one. I guess it just depends on what you and your husband want.
@Meljep (1666)
• United States
31 Oct 06
Around 2 years is the best space between the first and second. The first one will never remember having been the only child and they will grow up as playmates and as they get older hopefully best friends. If you have 3 to 4 years in between they tend to fight more because the older one is trying to keep their identity and has trouble sharing the spotlight.
• United States
31 Oct 06
My husband and I decided to have another child when my oldest was 10 months old. We had to wait for my fertility to return and get regular and then we got pregnant right away. Unfortunately, I lost that baby at 13 weeks. We got pregnant with my second son when my oldest was 16 months old. We got pregnant with my third son when my second was 20 months old. I would say that having my oldest and youngest nearly 4.5 years apart was nice. That is wonderful spacing. The space between 2-3 years is more difficult. It is worth it for me to have them so closely spaced, though, because they will be close and great playmates and I'm not planning to always be a housewife so I'm only spending 10 years at home instead of spacing it out even longer.
• United States
31 Oct 06
I had my kids 18 months apart which I feel was perfect because they are growing up together and schooling together it works at great for me.
• United States
31 Oct 06
between 1 and 2 is 5 years between 2 and 3 is exactly 1 year. both born Dec. 29 between 3 and 4 is 2 years
@magikrose (5429)
• United States
31 Oct 06
my son and oldest daughter are 3yrs appart, my oldest daughter and middle daugter are 21months appart, and my middle daughter and youngest daughter are 3 yrs appart. That is all up to you.
@lcsamano (200)
• United States
31 Oct 06
Cute little lion!!! I spaced mine about 3 and a half years a part. I have a 14, 11 and 7 year old twins. I think the space is good because you aren't changing more than one diaper unless you have twins like I did. However, it lets each one have their baby years. I had my second child when I was 22.