To think two under two is exhausting and crazy?

I have 16 months between my first two, then just over two and a half years between my second and third, so I had three under four for a few weeks. It was busy but I really enjoyed those years. The three of them are best mates and really close now as adults aged 31, almost 30 and 27.

I had 2 under 1, 2 under 16 months (twice) and 3 under 3. Loved my small gaps and would say it was 100 times easier than say a 3 year gap (had that twice), but I know I’ll be in the minority! Loved a busy house and lots of little ones.

Young kids are great and I know they are hard work. Adult children are great, and hard work too. Looking back, the sleepless nights, the potty training, the tantrums, the illnesses were much more surmountable. Your care and concern carries on as your children grow and issues move on to a different level. My advice stands. Don't wish your life away.

We have a 2 year gap, it was generally pretty good, needed a double buggy etc, but love how close they have been to each other. The worst was over within a year or so, needing a double buggy was a pain, a buggy board wasn't enough.

If you think back to the sleepless nights, and the potty training, and the tantrums and the constant viruses, would you have found it helpful if someone told you to savour it? Because you're a better woman than me if you would have done. Young kids are fabulous but they're also bloody hard work.

It is super busy but, sleeplessness aside, I really enjoyed it. And as the grew, my two have become great mates and I credit that with how easy I am finding the teenage years.

Of course you can, but these are words of wisdom from someone on the other side saying enjoy what life gives you in the moment, and don't focus on what's ahead, because before you know it you're old and passing on words of wisdom in the hope someone might take them on board.

I don't think that's particularly helpful to say to someone who is struggling - it just adds guilt that you're not enjoying the particular stage.

Don't wish it away . . .

It is, but at least you get the baby/toddler stage out the way pretty much together.

I had 3 under 3 and I loved it but I think I'm in the minority as I didn't find it difficult, either I am very lucky or had exceptionally chilled babies.

Out of all my mum friends I was the only one to enjoy school holidays.

Don't get me wrong they had their moments tantrums etc and son 1 would have to stay where he was if he fell asleep as moving him was a no no. Son 2 was a fan of getting up at 5 am and still is at 32.

Everyone has very different experiences.

I can't wait to get to this point 🤣 2 lots of nursery fee's isn't fun but I can't wait to get to a point where my wage is my own 🤣

I have a 19 month gap, 2 under 2 was the easiest.. 2 under 3 is hell.. now one just over 2.5 and almost 1 🤣 only 6 months left of this phase then I'm hoping 2 under 4 goes easier on us 😅 our thought process was it gets the hard years over with at the same time, okay the hard bits get prolonged as there's 2 of them but still what was best for us, I couldn't imagine doing the school run with a baby but then the thought of giving baby so much of your time while the older one is at school sounds lovely but luckily my older one stayed in nursery while I was off so younger one got lots of 1 on 1 & now I look at newborns and grimace because there's no bloody way I'm doing that ever again 😬🤣

Eighteen month gap, followed by a 2 year gap, so 6 months of 3 under 4 years old. Hard work, but I was so in the baby/toddler zone that I just got on with it and didn't go back to work after no 2 until no 3 was at school. They're now 24, 26 and 27. Great friends, great support for each other, but a lot of time and patience has gone into making that happen. Now they've all gone through university, DH and I have more money than we've ever had! Don't really know what to do with it.

From a child's point of view I can say it's great, my sister and I are really close with a 14 month age gap. We were best friends and worst enemies at times growing up but I love the closeness now.

My children are 25 months apart, 2nd was a good baby though so maybe I had it easy. Teen years were much harder than baby years IMO.

2 year age gap means intense baby/toddler period followed by years of best of friends/worst of enemies and the worst is a levels and gcse at the same time. Two at university is a financial commitment that needs careful planning.

Mine are almost exactly 2 years apart, so I only had “2 under 2” for a few days. I agree with PP that 1 and 3 is harder than 0 and 2… About to have “3 under 4” though so I’m sure that I’ll discover a mere 1 and 3 is a breeze! 😂😂😂

I had 4 years between 1 and 2 another 4 between 2 and 3 then 13 months between 3 & 4, it was tough but it did kind of get the baby years over together, then toddler they could play together and they are a year a part at school so have many of the same friends it definitely has its pros and cons, no 4 was a huge surprise, so yes my choice to continue but wouldn’t change it now,

I can tell you when the low age gap IS definitely harder though... when 2 are going to uni at opposite ends of the country at the same time. Start saving now! 😱

2y 3m age gap here. 2 and 0 was ok, 3 and 1 nearly killed me, 4 and 2 was very hard, 5 and 3 we could see the light at the end of the tunnel, 6 and 4 is practically a doddle aside from the bickering and constant whining.

Mine have a 20 month gap, everything has pros and cons - I feel lucky to have been able to have them so quickly and now they are both adults I’m very thankful to the past me.