Whats a perfect age gap?

[Cherrybaby]

Hi peeps

my DS has just turned 1 year old, and I'm thinking about TTC for number 2.
I think it would be good for them to grow up together as I only want two - and also better for me career-wise in the long term, to have them together and then go back to work once both are in school/nursery. Hubby is also happy with the idea of having another baby.

The only thing is....I don't know if this is a good idea. I keep thinking that although the reasons I have for wanting to have another baby now are reasonable, I should be only having another baby when I really, desperately want another baby - and thats it. I don't feel especially broody - the thought of another baby is nice and I feel confident that I will manage both very well.

but im not innately craving another child - and I feel as thought thats a pre-requisite for having a second planned baby.

Any thoughts, anyone?

I dont think there is a perfect age gap as you have no idea what baby no 2 would turn out like i.e. sleeping feeding teething etc

I was broody straight after dd was born (hormones probably) and was on and off the pill going to ttc and then changing my mind. Its not until now (dd nearly 3) that i feel i really do want another one. This sounds like it will work for me only having 1 in a buggy only 1 in nappies and only 1 at home during the day as dd starts nursery soon and in sep 2011 will be full time.

Tho what puts me off is that in sep 2011 i could be returning to work, have more of a life - more friends, more money and something outside the home. But dh doesnt really want a big age gap and neither do i really. 6 years between me and my sibling and I wanted to play games and they wanted to read magazines and listen to music so i spent a lot of time on my own.

I think there are arguements for and against any age gap. My friend has an 18 month age gap with her brother and always argued growing up. My brother and I have a 4 year gap and whilst close when we were little are less so now. I think it depends on whether you have the same sex child as well. You need to decide when it is right for you as then if they don;t get on it will have been right for you!

Me and my sis argued like cat and dog but now get on well and might as well be the same age! My dh was an only child and wished he had siblings and so do I, it would have provided us with more babysitters! I think it was a bit annoying for my parents as when my sis left home they were ready for time on their own but I was 6 years behind her! I was thrilled to finally have my own room at last! There is one mum who takes her son to the morning nursery class and has another son who attends the afternoon nursery session and a 6 month old at home, dont know how she does it!

There is no such thing as a perfect age gap. I had my children close together because I knew i wanted 3 or 4 and needed to have a life once they'd gone. As it turned out we then had another DD when all the others were grown up, so I could have saved myself all that work

Your reasons for having another now are as good as any. There is a lot to be said for getting the baby stage out of the way and moving on. You'll also have all the equipment still from the first one and will still be in that mind set.

Downside is 2 in nappies, double buggies, the Terrible Twos with a baby to contend with, and then much later on the stress of one doing A levels and the other doing GCSEs at the same time

Only you can decide one way or the other.

I've always been told 3 years is a good gap between children. The older one is out of nappies, and able to be 'helpful', understanding and interested. Once a bit older, they can play together because the gap is not too great.