Worried about having DC2 and the age gap

[Howwillicope]

Have just found out I’m about 4-5 weeks with DC2. We were TTC but were giving it a shot in August , then if it didn’t work first time we were going to leave it until the new year to continue trying to avoid a peak summer birthday.
Of course the unexpected happened and I’ve got a BFP!
I’ve gone from being completely broody to now being terrified of how I’m going to cope with a newborn and a toddler - there will be 2years 7 months between them. DC1 is really settled in nursery and we won’t be able to keep him in the hours he currently does when I’m on maternity pay so will probably have to cut down to 2 days per week until he’s 3, so I’ll be looking after them both most of the week.
Does anyone have any reassurance of how this age gap will work out and when it starts getting a little easier?

Any age gap is fine but some children are easier than others would be my opinion. I generally think that a short gap is good because the DC can do things together and share interests but the can still be best friends at 3 years, 5 years or 10 years. Your new baby might be a dream and with your toddler out of the house twice a week you will have lots of time to fit in and get to know your new one. Best of luck, congrats.

There are 2 years and 10 months between my first and second. There will be 2 years and 11 months between my second and third. It was tough at the beginning as my daughter was not welcoming of my second. However, once he started moving about she became more interested and now he has started developing language (age 2) they play beautifully together for long stretches. Their bond is strong and they miss one another during the day. So in my experience, yes, it does get easier. Really do take each day at a time and don't judge yourself too harshly. There will be days where you high five yourself as you have this parenting nailed! The next day you want the ground to swallow you up. But the later does become less frequent. My advice is simply to roll with it. You can only do your best, don't compare yourself to others as we do what we can to survive and if that means whacking CBBC on for an hour so you can have cup or 'hot' tea then do it to conserve your sanity. X

My DD and DS are just under 3 years apart. I'm glad that it's worked out so well; they're teens now and although they have their moments, the age gap seems to have lessened the rivalry. My DSis are 20 months apart and they've always fought like cat and dog. Even in adulthood, their relationship is "testy". It probably depends a lot on personality and upbringing but a 3 year age gap has worked well for us.