Age Range Between Your Kiddos

First two were 11 months apart, when third was born they were 2, 1, NB.
Then three years later had another. We wanted them close and loved every
minute of it. Just did babies. To this day, they are all very close. Good
luck.

Hi Mandy,
I'll tell you my story, my oldest son and my middle one are 20 months apart, I planned it like that because I didn't want the oldest to be alone, I wanted him to have someone to play with. Then I thought, I would wait until the middle one was 2 and try again, so I would be done with potty training him, but my daughter decided she was coming no matter what :)
So, my middle son and my daughter are 18 months apart. In a way, I like it like that better, it is easier to do stuff with all of them. It's just when I think of college that my hairs go up!!! :)
But I wouldn't change it for anything in the world!

I agree that I don't think you are to the hard part yet! My first two are 19 months apart and are now 2.5 and 14 months. Although they get along well for the most part, they are both still in diapers (the oldest is a boy so we aren't expecting him to be potty trained until 3ish) and are both still in the "MINE" stage so we have a lot of squabbles over toys. The 2 year old is very protective of his sister, but that also translates into bossiness and trying to control what she does, which infuriates her at this age. I have a hard time taking them to places like OMSI by myself because they can both take off in different directions (although my son is getting better about it). As for the grocery store, my daughter rides in the top part and my son in the big basket but it is definitely a challenge. They are both at an age where they want to be out walking with me, so we tend to have battles about that when we try to run errands. Dr. appts. are another challenge when both are so young.

We have also talked about when to have #3 and are waiting until the baby would be 2-2.5 years younger than my daughter. I cannot even imagine being pregnant right now and trying to keep up with both kids and chores and errands! Plus, I need at least one of them out of diapers and more independent. We are just now getting our daughter to sleep all night so I need a few months of that before we think about it! While I think the close spacing will be great over the next few years, from the time the youngest is about 10 months old it is really hard!

Good luck!

My boys are 8 days shy of being exactly 8 years apart. There have been a lot of advantages to it. I am a single mom so I have another set of eyes. MY oldest is fairly independent so I don't have to chase after him for getting into things or shoving things up his nose. Even though they are 10 and 2 they are best friends and play together. They don't push and shove (as much) as two closer aged siblings. I can't even imagine having two little ones. I would go insane! One disadvantage is that I am not sure how my youngest will handle it when he's 10 and his brother is off to college. It will be a sad day.

I did 3 kids in 3 years. You're not crazy, but life will be for the first 2 or 3 years. I think that's about the time I threw the diaper bag out and decided I had to simplify because it took me 45 minutes just to get out the door. But it's workable, and the older ones learn to be independent pretty quickly.

Advantages--they're all best friends, they all play on a similar level, there's always a friend in the house, I can lump a lot of the teaching together because they all need to hear it again and again.

Disadvantages--I haven't seen this yet (my oldest is 7) but I worry about sibling rivalry because they're so close in age. I think it can be avoided, but I'm very conscious about making things fair, praising all of them and not comparing, etc. The early years can get hectic, especially errands, but again, this is manageable with a little planning. You're also outnumbered by three little people who are all in the stage of exploring limits, so it can get tricky.

All in all, it's worth it, and I wouldn't change any of it. I'm now on 5 kids in 8 years, so I think it's safe to say I survived.

Year wise my children are 3 years apart. 1st child is a son born 11/1980, 2nd child is a daughter born 02/1983, 3rd child is a son born 06/1983 and 4th child is a son born 08/1989. My children never did the constant fighting, an occasional disagreement now and them, but nothing major. They always looked out for each other and still do. They were helpful with each other and for me when they were younger, but now that they are older they are kind of lazy. They have a strong bond but nothing smothering. They all are pretty positive, happy, and can find the humor in most situations. All four were never in the same schools at the same time, a couple at a time but not all four, that was really helpful. They all associate and socialize with people of all ages. I was busy when they were young and potty training happened at a later age, usually aroung 3 or 4. I was also able to nurse them up until the next child was born. Couldn't do to many hand-me-downs. That's my brood and my experience. Hope it helps.
V.

1st & 2nd are 15 months apart .........2nd & 3rd are 20 months apart, so 3 in 3 years. My boys bday was saturday he is 6, my girl will be 5 in August & my 3rd girl just turned 3, 2 weeks ago. It's been a whirlwind. I didn't go out for the 1st 1 1/2 years. My kids didn't see a grocery store for a long time. Thank goodness I met other SAHM's with kids around the same age so we had lots of playdates, for some sanity. I did all my grocery shopping after they went to bed. They gang up on me sometimes. They fight like crazy sometimes. But I couldn't be happier with their ages. They are the best of friends. They love eachother. They can keep up with each other. They have the same interests still. They will all be in school together too.

So if you go this route be prepared for mass chaos but with great rewards.

OK so I won't be much help with your question.
But my kids 39, 34, and twins 20 years that is. I do have fun telling people my kids were 14 and nearly 19 when our twins were born for our 20th wedding anniversary.
Yes, that means we have been parenting non stop for 39 years now and will finally have a truly empty nest as our younger twin will live on campus in the fall as she transfers with a GPA of 3.8 after homeschooling.
Enjoy your children-- they grow up fast
God bless you and your decisions

you can manage have 3 kids i think between 15-20 months apart is great
my kids are 1 year and 7 years old and is very difficult i wish my kids were like 20 months apart i think it will be easy

I have four kids...23, almost 21, almost 18, and almost 4.

The three older ones were spaced out perfectly. They were each old enough to help out and not feel jealous of the new arrivals.

The younger two are quite the difference in age. The one will be a Senior and he refuses to ride the bus when the youngest starts Pre-K this Fall. It's been a struggle with these two.

I think a year and a half to two is perfect for spacing out children. You don't have to potty-train two at a time...lol.

DS is nearly 6, DD #1 is 4 3/4 years old, and DD #2 is 3. Things are difficult to go on errands and such but I found that with the oldest two reading, I can give them their own shopping list and they need to find the things on that list (I have a master list so that in case they lose theirs I still know what I need to get at the store). The two oldest help their younger sister with her list. With the grocery stores that have the little kids' carts, we use them sometimes for all three kids, sometimes we share one cart between the three of them (teaches them to take turns).

My two oldest have their own "twin" like language going at times. Very cute to watch and listen to them talk to each other about important things.

Drawback: my kids get mistaken for triplets constantly because they are so close in age.

Definitely a couple's decision...if the two of you feel it's the right time, then I say go for it.

Jen

If you are both ready, enjoy. It's a couple decision. Our kids are 18 and 21 months apart and it's great b/c the youngest and oldest can still play together.

I have really liked this website http://www.babybunching.com/

I have a 2 yr old daughter, an 8 month old son, and our 3rd is on the way in December. (Lord willing!) So that means, 19mos & soon to be 15mos apart.

I am slightly terrified, but I have been encouraged that people say how the kids grow together and go through similar stages together and we won't have to deal with putting a little one to a nap while an older one wants to be out doing things.

So... it is also a level of patience, I think. Patience with knowing that things I wanted to get done, usually have to wait... And patience dealing with little people... selfish, wonderful, funny, busy little people.

We figure we'll sleep again in a few years.... I hope. :)

Good luck!

My first 2 are 14 months apart. Then i waited 5 years and my 2nd two are two and a half years apart.

In my experience you did not get to the hard part yet ;) When my girls were toddlers together they were little trouble makers. They loved to be sneaky together...lol! Your little one is still at the easy stage. Wait until they are both trying to assert thier independance!

I waited 5 years between, which was too long in my opinion. I needed a little break after my 2 terrors :) If you can handle it, go for it. I just wanted to let you know that i think you are still in the easy stage....

Well, mine are just shy of 3 years apart and I think it would have been better to wait another 3-6 months. We were trying for between 3 and 3.5 years and just got pregnant on pretty much the first try. My husband and his brother are about 18 months apart and they did compete and fight some as kids. My sister and I are 4.5 years apart and it wasn't easy to play together. My first oldest is a boy and a handful so I would not have wanted mine any closer. Also being pregnant and chasing a 2 year old is not a lot of fun. I used a leash with my son as well until about 2.5 when he learned to listen better. His behavior regressed a lot when the baby was born. Now the baby is 16 months and it is a lot better. In your situation I would wait a little until your oldest is 3 or so. My son got a lot more independent by 2.5.

Do what you and your husband feel is right. And good luck. :)

We have three kids. Our oldest is a boy 10 1/2yrs. Our second a boy is 6yrs. Our third a girl is 4 yrs.
We had a diffucult conceiving with our first child. The following two children we conceived extremely fast and unplanned. I like that our oldest is a bit older. My two younger kids are best buddies.

I would recommend waiting a little longer betweeen kids. The 2 year old age is much harder than the 1 year old age and age 3 is even harder emotionally. I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old and they don't always get a long so well. They are also both very active and on the move so it is very hard to take them both anywhere by myself. If I have a 3rd I will have them 3 years apart based on my experience.

i have four kids and my oldest will be 4 in july. i love it.... they get along great and don't have a chance to get 'spoiled' before they had a baby brother or sister. they all LOVE the baby and are so good with her. I haven't changed anything i do... go to the store just like you normally would, take them to the zoo... you don't have to quit doing those things! My 3 year old loves helping with my 2 year old while we are out!

Mine were 17 mo. apart, and I remember being overwhelmed. Do you really want 3 kids in diapers? My advice would be to wait until #1 is potty-trained before you start on #3. As for running errands with your 2 now, put a leash on #2 when you're out and about. My granddaughter was a runner (thanks to dad chasing her for fun) and I started leashing her when she was 2--didn't always listen--what 2 yr. old does?, didn't want to be carried, and didn't want to hold my hand. She LOVED her leash, and she wore it until she was 6. She would remind me if I forgot it, and I had 2 so she could pick out the color for the day. (She's 7 now, and still asks if I want to take it with us.)She loved the freedom. I know, people look at you or ask rude questions. My answer to them is,"Why do you leash your dog? To prevent them from getting lost or hurt! Why wouldn't you do the same for your precious child?" I am NOT treating her like a dog--I'm allowing her to walk and explore without worrying about her wandering away or someone snatching her when I turn my back. I've made them for all my friends and relatives, and everyone loves them. And if you have 2 toddlers and an infant, you won't be able to hang onto them. Do you really want to depend on them to absolutely mind you when you're in public? Everytime I see some mom yelling at her kid to " come here RIGHT NOW!!" I think---leash. I'm sure I'll see objections from moms on the site, but, oh, well. I'm old enough to take it.