Talk to me about a very small age gap...

[babyblabber]

Thinking of trying for a 4th soon. There's 2.5 years between DS and DD1 (they are 5.5 & 3) and exact same between DD1 & DD2. But I'm thinking if we go again I'd like to do it soon so there'd only be around 18 months between DD2 and the 4th.

Part of me thinks it'd be easier coz I'd group the older two together and the younger two would be babies together. Will have one in school & one in Montessori from now on so pick ups will be a pain but I'll have quiet mornings. With 4 we wouldn't be doing many play dates etc anyway I think so if we're stuck at home a lot we may as well have an extra one! We're moving to a new house with a play room and there's a playground right beside it so that'll be it for entertainment! I Love the baby stages and don't want to rush through them but I know there's stuff you can't do easily eg go to a restaurant with small toddlers so am thinking if we do want a 4th to just get on with it and get past those stages (so we can all go out to eat in maybe 3-4years!)

But I know I'm blocking out how hard it would be with 2 so little (as well as the other two, I find our oldest the hardest work!). Think I'm looking at it through rose tinted glasses as DD2, although not sleeping through the night, is a very happy, easy baby. Tell me the reality of it please! Be honest

Watching this with interest as we're thinking of a similar gap but between 2 & 3.....

I have 22 months between dc's 1&2, 14 months between 2&3, 13 months between 3&4 and then three years between 4&5. I personally prefer the small age gaps as you're still in baby mode, and it's just adding in another to the current routine rather than going back to baby after moving on through toddlerhood and potty training etc.

Dc1 and 2 - 1 year and 1 week exactly.
2 and 3 - 2 years 3 months.
3 and 4 - 2 years 1 month.
4 and 5 - 3 years 2 months approx (5 not here yet!)

So far the smallest gap has been the easiest. You're in baby mode. No other way of describing it. They sort of slot in to what you're already doing.

Do you get stressed? I often find my blood pressure rising at certain moments like when I'm trying to make dinner, the baby has done a poo, the older two are killing eachother etc. I'm wondering if throwing a toddler with no safety sense into that mix might just push me over the edge!

Do you get stressed?

All the time

But I try to pick my battles wisely.