To ask for positive stories about having 2 under 2

[Candyfloss1122]

Currently pregnant with Ds, DD will be 14 months when he arrives.
I am under no illusion that it will be easy, and that things will likely be pretty hard, however I am sick to death of being told by everyone, strangers, family and friends, that my life is over, I'm not going to cope blah blah blah.

When pregnant with DD I lost count of the amount of people who told me my life was over, especially as we have no family help, but suprise suprise we are still here. DD hasn't been an easy baby, napping a challenge from 6 weeks, woke twice last night, but it is what it is. Babies are babies.

The only person I get any real insight from is my own mum who had my sister and I 14 months apart, she says she has no regrets.

There's got to be more happy stories out there!

Similar age gap between my DP and his brother. He loved growing up. His mum said it was tough at newborn stage but when my DP was big enough to play with his brother then it was great as they entertained themselves easily.

I couldn’t personally do it due to my health condition but before I got ill it’s the gap I wanted for mine

My daughter is 16 months and son is nearly 3months. (13 months apart)
I won’t lie and say it’s not hard. Coz at times it’s extremley hard. But your life is most defiantly not over. Once you get into a routine it will be fine. Some days I feel very run down because I’ve had literally not 1 minute to myself but other days are lovely when they are in sync with each other. I just think when they are 3&4 it will be lovely.
I have babysitterS when I need them and their dad is pretty good. So as long as you have support you will b fine.

The first year is very hard work (I swear I literally cannot remember any of it!) but after that it gets easier. As you've never really got through "the hard part" with DC1, it doesn't feel like particularly a shock to have 2 DC. Oldest DC will grow up not remembering life without a sibling (no adjustment to cope with). It's easy to sort out a routine that fits for 2 under 2 (bathing them together for e.g.). As they are older they will tend to like similar things at similar ages so days out etc are easy. Both children will naturally be each other's playmates when little (until the youngest gets to 8/9 and decides they are not the older child's willing slave!).

Having had 2 close together the idea of not bringing 2 up at the same time sounds like harder work!

We have 13 months (and 1 day!) between ours and, yes, it was bloody hard for a while, especially as DC2 hasn't been the best sleeper (DC1 started to sleep through the night before I went back to work after mat leave!).

But, they're now 3.5 and 4.6 and it is so much easier, and it'll keep getting easier as they get more independent. Every year (usually during our summer holiday!) we'd say to each other how in a year's time it would be easier, and it really is.

They sometimes play together for ages, really getting in and sharing. And some of their conversations are hilarious (DD can be very motherly to DS, especially now she's at school). They often hug and kiss and tell each other they love each other. And they also fight daily, but that's what siblings do!

You'll be fine. And, IMO, it's nice to have a largely-immobile baby to look after when you're pregnant. Far less tiring than a rampaging toddler!

Slightly larger gap, almost 20 months between my boys and I wouldn't change it for the world. They are 3.5 and 2 now and I'm due with 3rd in 6 weeks. The boys now share a room, they woke at 7am today and I'm still listening to them laughing and joking together, a minute ago it was because they were shouting bum bum, but still it's lovely!!

18 months between mine. And when DS2 was born, DS1 still wasn't walking.
People made out to me that my life would be impossible but it really isn't the case. Get a double pram and get out and about when you can. But just accept that for a year or so you'll need to be organised with things. Be kind to yourself and do online food shopping, don't stress about using the tv when you need a shower or to get something done.
People love to talk about the negatives so it's often all you hear. But the reality is it's great most of the time. You get the baby stuff out of the way. The kids will be into similar toys so will play (and fight) over the same stuff. My DS2 is about to turn 2 and it's getting easier and more fun every day. I wouldn't change it for the world!

I have 22 months between my two. I really wouldn't change it. It was hard at times when they were really young, but I didn't find the actual caring for a new born and small child hard, more not having the freedom to do what I wanted to when I wanted to do it. Getting ready to go out was a challenge at times, but I would always stock up the changing bag when I got in from a day out so it was ready for next time etc. Had a changing mat upstairs and downstairs, just find any little way you can to make like easier. On the plus side all the nappies, milk etc were all done in one big hit. Mine are now 4 and just turned 6. They're great friends. They're a great play mate for each other. Don't get me wrong it's not perfect, they fight and argue too, but often the will gang up on me if I tell one of them off.

I saw that twat too, Miaow. Best ignored!

15 month planned gap here, dh and I wanted them close as we were younger siblings with very big gaps and hated it

It can be hard but you roll through stages more quickly, it was lots of fun too and ours are very close and supportive of each other even now at 14 and 15

I found routine was the key, but I am a very organised person and had no family to help so it all fell to me

You will survive and laugh, still some of my happiest memories and would still do it this way again out of choice

There's 18 months between my first two. DS very puzzled when DD arrived, stayed that way for about 6 months and was very difficult around her. Made bf-ing (and lots of other things!) very hard. But they generally napped at the same time after a while and I could go to baby groups with them both. She started to idolise him at about 1yo.

It was hard, yeah, but I wouldn't do it differently at all. I love the short age gap, I've actually found it helpful in some ways because by the time DD he's through something, I can still remember it from DS. I would have had DC3 closer if I could have too. You'll get through it though, you're not mad to be doing it, thousands of people do it. I would definitely do it again. Good luck and congratulations

17 month gap here, easier with a newborn and toddler, than being pregnant with a toddler!

20 months between mine. Oldest was too young for any jealousy so baby just spotted right in. At 2.5 and 4 now they're almost like twins - absolutely inseparable and best buddies.

I don't remember a lot of DD2's first year and felt very guilty that we weren't bonding (we were, but you always feel guilty about something!). It's hellish when they're ill as it seems to take a fortnight for it to clear. We had pox last year for 6 weeks!

The hardest bit was the logistics - getting in and out of the car. Not being able to pop into the shop for a pint of milk (well we could, but the faff of getting everyone in/out of the car and pram was a pain). Strapping then in a double buggy helped.

Posted too soon, we concentrated on getting the first one into a good routine and sleeping well at night; that helped a lot. They’re 3 and 4 now, and really good friends, so I’m glad I did it.

2 years between mine and it was actually very easy. Much easier than 0-1 due to the complete lifestyle change. No 2 slept better because we knew what we were doing. Ds1 still napped so I got 2hrs to myself. Ds2 pretty much lived in the sling. Rarely used the pushchair for him. They are now 3.8yo and 20mo and they play well together/ next to each other. It's getting much easier as they get older. I would love not but dh is happy with our 2.

21 months exactly between my three (I had twins the second time). Newborn period isn't too bad, looking back at it, just relentless, especially if you breastfeed. The bit I find tough is three toddlers, which is the stage I am in right now. But I still have a lot of fun with my three, just interspersed with lots of screaming/snatching/squabbling over toys, which is not so fun but that is why we have wine

Good luck, it is what you make of it so go forward with positive thoughts and take the rough with the smooth. It isn't a walk in the park but it isn't hell on earth either.

18 month gap here... I found first 6 months hard work. But you just have to remember it's temporary & any gap has its trials (friends with bigger gap had more jealousy issues etc.) There still quite little now (9 months & 2) but the older one is so protective of the little one & when they giggle together... it's really lovely. Congratulations on your pregnancy OP.

I had 3 under 2 (twins). It was very hard in the early days but now I think I have it a lot easier than my friends who have larger gaps.

All 3 are into the same things, we can go on a day out and it suits them all ie Peppa Pig World a few years ago and it wasn’t too babyish for anyone, Chessington and no one is left out on going on the rides etc.

Mine are in the last few years of Primary school now, I do miss those baby days!

It will be fine op.

I have a one year and 11 day age gap between my first two. As others have said, it's hard work. But I think think the change from 1 to 2 is possibly the most challenging regardless of age gap. Get as much help as you can afford. Cleaner, nanny/nursery etc. It will make it much easier. I also put in place a routine that I followed quite strictly as it helped me manage expectations (including my own!). Mine are now 3 and 2 and they entertain each other and there is a definite friendship there. I now have a 3rd so it couldn't have been that bad!

18 month gap between my two DS. DS2 is the age now that DS1 was when he was born. Don’t know how we did it! We still have our intense days, and lots of them, but it’s definitely getting easier. There’ll be no more for us, so having them close together has probably been a good thing in that it’s done, they’re here, and now we’re getting to the good bit!!!

18 months between my first 2. Yes i remember being scared that I wouldn't cope, but I coped fine and they were great company for each other. I would do it all again.

They will both still nap and you will get lots of lovely time with 2 gorgeous babies. Enjoy!