Babies Close in Age

My kids are 18 months apart, and is people were at all negative (which was REALLY rare) I just told them that I wanted 3 years of diapers, bottles, and baby food total, and to be done. It really was never much of a problem.

Congrats and ENJOY!

Congratulations!!

If I were you, I'd smile and tell them that this was totally planned :-) People have forgotten how to just say "congrats!" and keep any other thoughts to themselves.

My two older kids are 17 months apart. I would just look at the people and ask "when is a better time to have another?" Neither were planned, both are very loved and that is what counts the most. To shut people up the best way to do it is say "I can't believe you said (or asked) that" and leave it at that.

Tell them that if they dont like it then oh well its not their life, there is nothing wrong with having children close together in time i think its better that way it is easier on you and they will keep eachother occupied. i would tell people i didnt plan on it happening but everything happens for a reason so im looking at it as a positive event in my life. in my opinion what other people have to say about your family life is not important and you family will support you and in the end thats all that matters, i hope this helps you, just remember this happened to you for a reason so make the best of it and dont let anyone bring you down, its your life and your decision on what to do and what to tell people and also who you tell.

Personally I would say "who cares" about the negative comments from the negative people. You sound very happy and excited and you said that your family will be as well, so I say piss on the people that have mean things to say. You go girl and have a great and happy pregnancy.
Congrats

Just tell them your husband can't keep his hands off of you! LOL
My boys are exactly two years apart and I heard a lot of funny comments..congrats, its a lot of fun!

People open their mouths without thinking, so don't take it too seriously.

However, when my friend found out she was pregnant while she was still nursing her little one she had a couple of responses...
-"Yup, I'm STILL pregnant!"- my favorite
-"We figured we'd get all the poo-conversations overwith so we could talk about something else"- any reference to poo usually stopped the remarks
-"I want my boobs back while I can still flaunt them, so we figured we'd have another one now rather than later."

She has that kind of personality, but I loved her responses to people's thoughtless and unwarranted comments.

Congratulations and enjoy!

17 months apart is actually quite respectable. Your kids will be close in age, have similar interests etc. They can grow up as friends. If anyone has anything to say, I wouldn't give them the satisfaction of an explanation. What is necessary? Explaining only suggests you feel something is off. I like what one poster said--turn the tables and ask why its such a bad idea? Put them on the defensive. If you're happy and can handle it, screw them!

I have a cousin with babies exactly 10 months apart... this is something worth talking about!

Who cares what other people think! No one has to know #2 was a surprise. For all they know you intentionally planned it that way because you want your kids close in age. That would be my story anyway!

I had a coworker who tried for 15 years to get pg and finally did at a later age in life. Her daughter was born in January. Then - guess what! She got pg again and her 2nd daughter was born in December of the same year! How freaky is that!! But very cool, I think.

I wouldn't worry. Your true friends will support you no matter what and who cares about coworkers anyway!

Congrats!

My SIL had a surprise pregnancy - found out about the 4th baby when her 3rd baby was only a few months old - they are 13 months apart (1st 2 babies were twins and a few years older). So talk about comments...after initially having twins, they waited a few years, then got preg with #3...they were planning to be done, but #4 took them completely by surprise. SIL was nursing and on the mini-pill.

Anyway she also was so irritated by peoples' comments during her 4th pregnancy...she felt like they were non-stop. She usually just smiled and didn't say anything back...but toward the end of that 4th pregnancy she started telling people she was due with a baby elephant - they have a 2 year gestation. That was actually pretty hilarious and helped to stop the comments.

Don't worry about what people think - I really don't know why there are so many idiots out there, but there are. At work I'd probably say something like 'stay away from the water here,' or 'after this the factory is closed,' or my personal favorite, 'I'm just excited about getting another 3 months off.'
Congrats on the new addition. :)

Yep.....tell people your hubby just can't keep his hands off of you.....! LOL!

I remember a complete stranger saying to me in the elevator....Hey I'll get the guy who did that to you...I was 8 months preggo at the time...And I said to him that wouldn't be a good idea since my hubby is bigger than you are. Luckily the elevator door opened and with a nervous laugh that strange guy exited quickly.

All my kids are 2 years apart...nothing wrong with having them close in age. Congratulations to you!!

Haha I loved this! My youngest daughter was born exactly one week after my oldest turned one! We got a lot of "OMG you're going to have your hands full" and "wow that was quick"!. We just laughed it off really. After the initial shock (number 2 was not planned hehe) we were both very excited an I guess that just radiated through to most people. My DH and his brother are only 11 months apart so he was super excited knowing how close the girls will be!! Come to think of it, we did get a few jokes about "getting a tv in the bedroom". We made up little nicknames for ourselves...Fertile Myertle and Potent Pete. Honestly I think we were both just so excited and grateful for another blessing that other peoples comments didn't bother us! Congratulations!!!

I have 3 kids, and my oldest is 4, so I've heard all these comments and then some and I still get them! I usually just smile and say that yes, our kids are close together, and that my husband and I chose to have them close together. It is not anyone's choice but your own, so try not to let the comments get to you. Congratulations, and enjoy your babies!

My parents had 4 girls in 5 years... I don't see where 17 months apart is a bad thing. Just say you wanted them to be close in age. It has been a good thing for me, growing up with sisters close in age as well as my first two are 2 years apart. My middle son has always looked up to his sister, it did make it easier on me, I thought. I know my mom said this and I experience it with my two kids, potty training was easy after the first one. They play and also pick on each other, but they do have each others back. Now I do have a 9 year span between #2 and #3, but #3 was a surprise... Happy one.. I always wanted my kids close in age. I have 3 sisters. Two of them had their children every other year, with one having 3 children the other 5 children...
Plus, don't let them steal your joy!
Congrats on #2!!!

My kids are 16.5 months apart, but I don't recall anyone teasing my husband and I a lot. It took some time to get pregnant with our son, so I started using a fertility monitor when he was 6 months and was pregnant with our daughter 2 months later! We were surprised, but beyond ecstatic, so I guess leading with that type of attitude squelched anyone's idea to tease. I think close pregnancies happen more than you realize and I think having kids this close in age is great. My kids are best friends and play very well together. Congratulations to you!
If someone says something to you, I would just let it roll off. Say "ha.ha. that's funny." or something to that affect. If they don't let up then tell them it kind of bothers you and you would like it for them to stop. A true friend will respect your request. Good luck!
A.

It's really not that uncommon to have kids that are about 1 1/2 years apart. For me, child #2 and #3 have about that same age gap and I am so happy I planned it that way. They are the best of friends and they love doing things together. I've learned from being a mom that some people say the dumbest things. Don't take it to heart. You can always reply with, "Yes and we're so excited! I always wanted a big family and with the kids being close in age they're sure to be good friends."

I would reply with an answer stating, "Won't it be great, they will be able to play so well together and go through so much at the same time because of how close they are."

I do not understand why people make it a big deal. Having kids close in age is wonderful, they will have similar interests(if the same gender it's even better). My first two are 23 months apart, both boys, it has been great. We just had our 3rd and if not for 3 c-sections I would love to get preg in the next couple of months(if it's God's will), but have to wait for a year. Just tell people that the closer the better:)Let them mind their own business.....

Just tell them oh babies are a bleeding don't you think. Have that be your comment anytime someone says something. My youngest were 19 months apart. Congrats on your babies.

Updated

bessing not bleeding. That is what I get for not checkng my typing and being up half the night with my little one. lol

I had babies in 2005, 2006 and 2008. People gave me grief, but most of it was joking around fun. I had someone tell me I needed to "get a new hobby" LOL!

I love having my kids close together - yes it was hard, but they are all such good friends (2 boys then a girl). The boys are inseparable and I love it.

Just tell them you want them close so they'll play with each other and leave it at that.

Congratulations!
J.

Happened to me too :) 17.5 mos apart with #1 and #2. I just told people that our first was such a cute little soul that we just couldn't resist hopping right back on that bandwagon :) Plus, once the little one hits like 9 mos that will be an instant playmate and free up some mommy time - ha! My kids are currently 2 and 3.5 and it is SOOOO TRUE. They play together (nicely most of the time) and are instant friends even though they are girl then boy. We are expecting another boy in May (2.5 years later) -- I just needed a wee break there after the 2 so quick!

my girls will be almost exactly two years apart and when people make comments to me. I just smile and say that I wanted all the "baby" done at once so I can enjoy my children.

People can be soo rude! Just smile and tell them you wanted it this way. I am so excited for my girls to be close in age and have a lifetime playmate. I am 4 and 5 years older than my sisters and really until they were almost done with high school/into college I felt like we didn't have anything in common.

I don't think 17 mos apart is that close (I mean close enough to raise an eyebrow - if you were so inclined to do so!) I18 mos is actually the average amongst people I know. My neighbor's children are 12 mos a part and I have friends that are 11 mos apart! That's close :)

I would take a humorous approach with it .... I'd stand there in all my glory and wave my hands up and down over my curves and say " What can I say, when you've got it you've got it"!!!! and just put them in their place!!! Best of luck with your pregnancy!!

I would tell every last one of those people that have anything negative to say about my kids to BITE ME! and mind your own business! I'd thank them for pointing out the fact that they are idiots and have nothing more to do with them.

My first to are just shy of 14 months apart and I heard it all as well. With my 3rd she is about 3 and 3/4 (hehe) years apart from my middle and I still hear it. Or "shouldnt you already be pregnant again."

I think people just like to make comments no matter what the situation.

Just smile and tell them you LOVE children so much and are happy with your family. If you answer with a positive they usually let you be as well.

Congrats with baby!!

Tell everybody that it was planned-you knew exactly what you were doing. You wanted them close in age so they could be playmates and enjoy doing the same thing, And its true-my boys have all the same interests and it makes it SO much more fun that way. They get along much better than siblings I see that are widely spaced-IME they either ignore eachother or fight constantly.

And act like the other person is the crazy one for not getting it. Like-yeah, duh of course we wanted them close together, why wouldn't we?