which is easier?

I have 2 kids that are 3 and 1/2 years apart. I have a friend who has a newborn and an 18 month old. Right now I DEFINATELY have it easier. My friend can't do ANYTHING because she has to watch her daughter constantly. Otherwise she will try to pick baby brother up or "rock" him in his swing, or lay on him...the list goes on. With me my son was old enough to understand that his baby sister was a tiny fragile little baby that could be hurt very badly if he were to do anything like that. My son is 5 and a half right now and my daughter is 21 months old and they fight like dogs now. Hitting, pushing, stealing toys...you name it! I do believe that kids that are the same age will do the same except in a different way. My daughter just wants to do everything that big brother is doing and he isn't always open to it (though he is way better than I thought he would be...but still not very nice) but children that are almost the same age will want the same things. As for 4, 5, 6 year olds being together...anyone will get sick of someone after a short time together if they aren't used to it. My son had a sleepover with a friend and it was just total craziness!! Yelling, shouting, screaming (all of this in happiness AND anger!) til late at night. That is just kids. Fighting is their specialty! As for age difference I think I have a good gap...that is until they hit junior high and high school and all of that. They are just far enough apart that they will never be in the same school. He won't be there to look out after her on her first day of high school which kind of makes me sad. That was sort of my goal...to have them just far enough apart to spend one year of school together before they are potentially seperated for good (college and all). There is a possibility that with their age difference they will become friends as adults but it may take a while for the age difference to close in their minds. As for two children that are very close in age they have a chance to be really close all through growing up, though it depends on their personalities. They will only be seperated a few times in their life before they are adults so they have a good chance at a really close relationship. I think you will have your hands full at first. But eventually it will probably be pretty nice!

I have 4 kids. Two girls who are 1 1/2 years apart and two boys who are twins. Easy wasn't a part of my vocabulary when they were babies. The most relaxing part of my day was the few moments I had when the all went to bed at night. I didn't have much time to enjoy this time as I was usually exhausted and crashed soon after they did.

I am speeking from personal experience that about 2 years is perfect. My first 2 are 2 years apart and they get along good and it wasnt to hard on me, my middle child and my youngest are 10 mo apart and its so hard, I know it will get easier but right now where they are 1 and 2 its extreemly hard to manege the house and the kids and the hubby, they love to get into things together and I wsh I could multiply and be right next to each of them all day long. I spent more time cleaning up after something that they have gotten in to and changing diapers than I do anything else. I would definately recomend waiting 2 years in between, also my oldest had a hard time with me having back to back babies, I think he feel a little left out ecuase they require a litlle more atention. I try to make special time just for him but that to is a challenge.