How Close Together Are Your Kids? How Do They Get Along?

my children are exactly 2 years apart. their bdays are november 6 and 8 th. My son is older and was very jealous at first but now loves to play with his younger sister. Three years later they make really good playmates at age 5 and 3. It will be hard at first because no matter how old your children are they still want your attention. You will be sleep deprived because you have a newborn. The older child will need some special time so you should find time to be alone with your toddler and have someone else watch the baby. My son liked helping me with his sister and getting me diapers, toys etc. He is still a great helper and a nice example for his sister. I think also having them so close in age they can communicate with each other and sometimes he tells me what Emma needs when I can't figure it out. You have to decided how much stress you can handle and then plan appropriately. You took the first step by waiting until you completely healed and now you just need to decide what your priorities are in raising your family. Maybe you are looking to only have one child in diapers, that is something to consider. Make a list of what you would see as your ideal situation and go with it. Advice is great but ultimately every situation and child is different so what worked for my family maybe totally wrong for yours. Good luck making a decision and good luck on your growing family.

Hi S.! This is my first time on this web site, but I felt compelled to respond to your post. We have a boy (age 27 mos.), a girl (age 13 mos.), and we are expecting twin girls this April/May. We deliberately decided on having kids close in age so that they could grow up together. Like you, I have decided to be a stay-at-home mom, and my husband is deployed to Iraq until Sept. I know it sounds crazy, but it does work. There are tired moments (5:30 a.m. wake-up smiles!), but with attention and consistent reinforcement our boy and girl get along great! In fact, my son often seeks out his sister to play, and he hugs her all on his own. I also make sure to discipline with equal care so that neither feels like they receive more attention.

If you are worried about sleep, have a family member, friend, or babysitter come to your home three times a week for a couple of hours. It is just enough time to get you rejuvinated! You'll be amazed at what your body can do! (I also go to the gym to keep my energy up. Having been pregnant for almost 3 years with monthly breaks...it is a necessity!)
I hope this helps you to realize that you can do it! I am sure you will be a fantastic multi-tasker!

W.

S.,

Mt precious girls are only 6 months apart!!! My oldest was 9 months old when we adopted my youngest at 4 months old. My husband was never, ever, ever home. When he was he played video games, talked on the phone or watched tv. He played on his weekends off. We are now divorcing. They are 2 1/2 and 3.

Anyway, my point. You adapt, they adapt. They are loved so much and they have eachother to play and grow with. Sleep was a huge issue. I rarely got it. One slept fairly well, the other was up 3 to 5 times every night.

You will adapt. Good luck.

S.,
I have O. and he gets along just fine! LOL
Seriously, most of my son'r friends are the older sibling at 5 or 6. And most of those kids have O. younger sibling that is 3 or 4, so two years apart seems to be a popular choice. And they all seem very "into" their little sibs. Very cute!
Good luck, Myrtle!

Hi S.,

Two of my five children were only 15 month apart---both girls. They grew up being the best of friends. They did everything together. Now they are both pregnant at the same time! One lives in Maine and the other in NY, but they're still great friends.

Blessings,
K.
www.joyfulconnections.net