My little boy is already 15 months old. How time has passed. It seemed just like yesterday when I saw him for the first time in the hospital, but yet it’s been a good 15 months since that memorable day. Now that he’s considered to be at a manageable age, many well-meaning friends and family members have asked when we are planning a second child to add on to the family. Well, for us, it is not time just yet.
In fact, we ourselves are also wondering when is a good time to start planning for a second baby. I’ve asked several mothers and been told that the older the first child is, the easier it will be to handle two children in our lives. And many experienced couples shared that their ideal age gap between the first and second child is about 3 years.
According to these parents, when the first child is at age 3, he or she is already able to communicate and to some extent quite independent. Children at that age can understand when spoken with and are able to take instructions rather well too. I’ve seen these parents and their two kids for myself and I do agree that they seem to be able to juggle both kids really well. And most of the time, I notice that the elder child really loves the younger one and is very protective over the sibling too. There was no jealousy whatsoever which I had expected.
How about other parents out there? Do you agree that having a gap of 3 years is ideal? Or do you have any other magic formula?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I like the 3 years gap. It still gives the siblings a brotherly/sisterly connection without the gap. This becomes critical when they are into their teens.
Also, it is a good gap for brother/sister see, brother/sister do. One becones a role model for the other.
More important, I feel, is to have the older one become part of the decision process or at feels that he is part of that process. It becomes HIS or HER sibling. Choose a good time to pop the thought. A little imagination and you may have the child asking you to bring another sibling into the world.
At all times share the pregnancy and there shoudl be no question of jealousy. Of course all children are sensitive but I feel it is the insensitive action of parents who allow jealousy to be an issue. All children are born loving and sharing.
Hehe..sound like Dr. Who hor???!
The elder one better be a good role model!
I’ve seen my friends successfully get the elder child involved during her entire pregnancy and it’s true, the boy has absolutely adoration and brotherly protective instincts towards the unborn baby!
Yup, 3 yrs is a good gap! I had my next child arriving when the elder one just reached 2 yrs old…can u imagine having to take care two “babies”?
That’s what I was afraid of, having to take care of too many babies! Haha…