Second baby dilemma

[mum2jemima]

My baby girl is now 16 months old and our thoughts are turning to whether or not we should give her a sibling. I was 40 when I gave birth to j and will be 42 this November. I am feeling that if I don't get pregnant within the next six months, I will be too old a mother with baby no. 2. I am also beginning to see a slow return of my old life and am not sure I want to go back to square one with a new baby. However, on the other hand I don't feel that I want her to grow up an only child but I don't think that is the right reason to have a second baby. Is anybody else at this stage and age too? Have any of you made a definite decision to have only one child? Any thoughts would be much appreicated.

Thanks, mp. Dd2 cheers up when I fill in for dd1 and pretend to be Bertie Bus to her Thomas as we race around the sofas!

Ahhh! My eldest will be starting school next year and it will just be me and the youngest... I know she is going to feel so lonely without her lovely big sis!! But I will start some classes with her so she can make new friends I think (some of her own!).

It is so weird when they start school. Dd2 starts pre-school after half term, just two mornings a week at first but I think it will do her good to have her own thing. And I will get some 1-to-1 time with ds!

jemimasmum, I am now going to make you feel young and sprightly and able to go for it (if you want to)
I had dd (after years and years of trying) at 43, and then eventually agonized about her being an only child of older parents v. being an even older parent and coping with two. TBH, until dd1 was two years old I didn't feel I could cope with another - and put that down to age. Now I think it was just too soon for me, for all sorts of reasons, not just age at all.
And I got pregnant again at 45...am now 46, and dd2 is due in early December.
I would'nt have chosen to have my children this late by any means, but for me - thats how its happened. I'm just grateful to have them, and hopeful that with experience, support, and lots of love they'll do ok.
I can also relate to the dilemma of starting to get your life back...still have my moments of panic about that one, but hey ho we'll see: I'll update you in a few months' time if you like!
Good luck deciding/trying....