How long should you wait to have a second baby? Thoughts?

[norseberry]

I agree it really depends on the person. I want 2-3 kids so I think I will space them out quite a bit. I will take it one child at a time. Here are two examples of close age and farther spacing.

My mom is the oldest of 4. My grandma had 4 kids in 4 years. My mom was born first, then at age 2 my uncle was born. My grandma became pregnant the next year to one of my aunts and when my aunt was 15 mos old, my second aunt was born. My mom, uncles and aunts have close relationships with each other.

My oldest brother was 6 when I was born and my second oldest brother was 4. We got along and still do.

I don't think it has to do with age if you got a long with your sibling or not. I do believe the spacing affects personalities and how kids are though. I have read up on many books about Birth order and I know for a fact, age and spacing does not affect how your relationship with your sibling is. Its the experiences.

[rowangreeneyes]

I'm not too worried about my children's relationship because I do believe it's how you parent and your children's personality. I'm an only child and I always wanted a sibling, but I also know large families who absolutely despise each other. My mom is one of 5 children, all spaced very close together and she barely talks to any of her siblings. Only at funerals and the occasional wedding.

I just can't decide whether to wait 3 or 4 years or start trying sooner. I kind of want to be out of the "baby stage" sooner than later, like I should just have my second and get it over with. Then again, I don't want to be frazzled and stressed out all the time with 2 babies. What are your experiences with your children? To the people with close in age children, how difficult was it?

[8andcounting]

I'm not too worried about my children's relationship because I do believe it's how you parent and your children's personality. I'm an only child and I always wanted a sibling, but I also know large families who absolutely despise each other. My mom is one of 5 children, all spaced very close together and she barely talks to any of her siblings. Only at funerals and the occasional wedding.

I just can't decide whether to wait 3 or 4 years or start trying sooner. I kind of want to be out of the "baby stage" sooner than later, like I should just have my second and get it over with. Then again, I don't want to be frazzled and stressed out all the time with 2 babies. What are your experiences with your children? To the people with close in age children, how difficult was it?

I could not agree more. It is all about parenting on how your children will treat one another. We have 8 currently and are expecting 2 more (and don't plan to stop until God wants us to stop). The largest age gap between our children is 2 years, most are 12-18 months. All our children get along wonderfully. My husband comes from a large family with close ages and he is very close to them. My parents had fertility issues so there is only two of us and we are 6 years apart and we are very close as well. I would say go for it now if you think you are ready. I personally love having our children close in age.

[rowangreeneyes]

I could not agree more. It is all about parenting on how your children will treat one another. We have 8 currently and are expecting 2 more (and don't plan to stop until God wants us to stop). The largest age gap between our children is 2 years, most are 12-18 months. All our children get along wonderfully. My husband comes from a large family with close ages and he is very close to them. My parents had fertility issues so there is only two of us and we are 6 years apart and we are very close as well. I would say go for it now if you think you are ready. I personally love having our children close in age.

Eight! Wow... I know for a fact I could never deal with 8. Not unless we won the lottery and could buy a huge house and hire a nanny. I'm 99% sure I only want 2, and I say 99% because I'm only 25. I might change my mind later in life. I'm not sure I'm ready yet, but I am glad we don't have to worry about any surprises or anything.

[poptart8]

I have 4 kids. They are 13, 8, 5, and 10months. I like my babies to get to be babies. I love snuggling a 2 year old and knowing she's still my baby! My friend has babies 1year apart (exactly) and the older one got a raw deal with mom being so busy with the new baby and she was still a baby too! I always waited until my youngest was potty trained and fairly self sufficient before having another! Plus I like the age gap. If katy Perry is coming to concert I can take the older 2 and if Elmo is coming I can take the youger 2, or whatever. It is nice to have special time with them seperately doing whatever is appropriate for their age.
Everyone is different though. Some people like to get all the diapers/etc out of the way all at once.