Planning for Baby Number Two?

By: Heather Keniston

We’ve all heard the saying “there’s no time like the present”. However, when it comes to expanding your family, the future may feel far away but the present time may seem frightening, or so you think… but how do you know when the time is right?

Believe it or not, the right time is every time.

But then you’re checking the mail and your next-door neighbor asks: “So when are you having another baby?” And you get annoyed and you want to scream, “NEVER.” You probably don’t mean that, but the pressure you feel is sometimes enough to make you lose it every time you’re asked.

Expanding your family is a big step and an exciting experience. And yes, you get to go through all those sleepless nights again, worrying if your baby will ever take a bottle, and endless diaper changes. But you also get to invite this new little person into your world and experience that crazy love all over again. Yes, you just got all warm and fuzzy after reading that sentence, and that’s okay. 

Whether your kids are close in age, far apart in age, or you’re still wrapping your head around the idea of more than one child; It’s important to recognize that there are positive elements to every adventure mother nature throws at you:

Close in Age

There are many perks to having children close together in age. It can even feel like they are twins when they are only 18-23 months apart or so because they get to grow up together, become close friends, and share a lot of the same clothes and toys. Having another child soon after your last can also help when planning your budget. You’re familiar with what you’ll need and can even reuse those bath toys rather than buying new ones!

Spaced-out Age

On the other hand, there are also many benefits to having children further apart in age! Many parents enjoy getting to know their child on an individual level and allowing them to grow up as independently as possible. Age gap siblings have the unique opportunity to learn from each other, to re-live the exciting simple elements of early childhood, and to come out the other side with a family that loves and supports them. 

Mother Nature’s Involvement

And sometimes, despite all the planning we do, mother nature still has a different course of action. I have learned it is best to not focus on what lies ahead but to instead take one day at a time. Enjoy those cuddly moments with your little one and live in this beautiful moment. Focus on the amazing aspects to each and every curve ball thrown at you. The only thing you need to worry about at this point is being a crazy, over-the-top mom who probably takes too many pictures of her little one (and that is okay too!).