is it too early to try for another one?

[tjmartens]

I really would like another baby. My first son just turned one. Everyone I talk to says wait three year in between. Whenever I hear people talk about those who have children so close together its always in a negative aspect. What are the BIG pro's and con's to having children close together. I am a stay at home mom right now. My husband is a police officer so he doesn't make great money but our insurance is good. I guess I'm just worried what others will think. What are your thoughts?

[tjmartens]

Thanks...those are some really good things to think about. I'm still leaning towards having another one soon:)

[njeosys]

My girls are 22 months apart and I LOVE IT!!!! They are best little friends (even though the youngest is still a baby). They play together, the oldest (2 yrs old) brings her toys and shares, tries to feed her baby sister. I love that they are close in age because I feel they'll be close later in life, like my DH is with his siblings.

I wouldn't want my children far apart. It is too hard to transition from a child who can dress themselves to having an helpless infant. Or have a teenager and a toddler who don't even really play or interact outside of family dinner. There are pros to having an older child who can help you and cons of having an older child who doesn't develop a deep relationship with "the baby".

It is up to you! Do you want to get the baby years over with?
Do you want your children to be in a deep relationship and close enough in age that they reach milestones together/learn together?
Or do you want to watch one child grow up and give them attention just to have another a few years later and start all over again?
Do you want two children in diapers?

I personally love having my kids be best friends. Don't let OTHER people dictate your sex life. That's what I tell people. I just say, "Do you want to be in the room when we conceive? If not, butt out!" Okay, so I'm not that rude, but I WANT to say it!!!

You'll have issues either way. If you wait until your child is 3 to have another, he is still so young to think you may be replacing him. My daughter loved that a baby was in the house and has never once told me to "take her back". She doesn't feel cheated out of attention because she hasn't been #1 of my attention and affection. They SHARE me.

[Shann257]

I had 2 girls 13 months apart and it was the best thing.  They are very close to each other in fact they do every thing together.  We waited 4 years after our second child to have our 3 and it seemed hard to get back into the swing of things.  Close together was the best choice I had ever made.

[degriffdog]

I got pregnant with number 2 when my oldest 14 months old and they are 23 months apart.  They get along for the most part. And I don't think they really remember not having each other, so there wasn't really any jealousy issues, well at least for us.  I'm pregnant with number 3 and my dd's will be almost 5 and 7.  I never wanted kids that far apart but we had to wait for my dh to get a better job and it took 3-4 years to find one so we could afford another one.  So to answer your question I like kids close in age.  But I know there are woman who have to see one grow up at a time and wait like 3-4 years between kids.  My dh has a cousin who has a 17 yr old, 12 yr old and a 3 yr old, that's just crazy, but some people like it that way.  You will know what decision to make and it will be a good one at that. :o)