How much harder is it to have a second baby?

It is difficult to even imagine having a second baby while your first one is still so little. And the adjustment (the first few months) *can* be difficult, too! With the second child comes the first time you have to deal with sibling issues and with "divided loyalties" of the parents.

However, you will notice that most parents of 2 kids do survive the experience. :-) Over time, you learn how to balance things--giving attention to each child, dealing with children at different developmental stages (not to mention *emotional* differences!!), etc. You will learn the skills that work for you and your family.

In some ways, homeschooling may make your life easier. You don't have to coordinate so much with outside time commitments. You won't have an older child who *has to* be somewhere at 8 am when your baby likes to sleep to 8:30. And, the older the first child gets, the more you can allow her/him some freedom to play or work unsupervised *sometimes*.

I hope this helps. Good luck!!

While it's challenging to take care of more than one child, you also get the benefit of the companionship the kids give each other, which takes the pressure off you to be the whole source of entertainment for your child. Sure there's sibling rivalry, which can get ugly at times, but there's also sibling camaraderie. As challenging as taking care of small babies is, they really don't stay babies all that long. I had four kids in six years, spaced between 17 months and 30 months apart. For a while, we thought we would always have someone in diapers, but then it was over, then suddenly they were all in school, then suddenly they were all becoming teenagers and growing into adulthood. I am really glad that they have had not only me and my husband but also each other. Regarding homeschooling, I know people with four, five, six children or more who have done it. However, the decision of how many children to have and how to space them is intensely personal, and it really depends on you and your husband, your personalities, your desires, your willingness to sacrifice things like travel and personal time. I'm not sorry I had four kids, but I am beginning to enjoy the fact that they will eventually move on and live their own lives, freeing me up to do things besides all the mommy stuff. Whatever you decide will be right for you and your family.

Well lets see, you've already experienced the lifestyle change so you've got that hard part out of the way lol

Having two children at first is like trying to tie a bow with one hand, no doubt about it. After awhile you get used to it though and it's all good. At least you realize that it will be a challenge and I think that your mind set is perfect. My kids are 3 years apart and it was still a challenge for me but I think it's harder when two of them

are still in diapers.

Is not that harder, I have two grils, 2 1/2 and 1 yr they do a lot of thing together now, they play, i don't have to play all the time with them just look... sleep nap at same time so I can do my stuff, It's pretty nice

Lets see, I had my 1st son at 15 ( that was hard), raised him on my own and he is now 24 and an awesome adult, 18 years after I had him I gave birth to my second son he will be 7 in a week, and raising him has been even harder. He is wearing me down but well worth it.. If I can handle that you should be able to handle this.. Good Luck...

I think that since you have a 9 month old and are planning to home school, perhaps you should have them close together. That way they will both be babies at the same time, then when you start home school you can teach them both at the same time. Your attention won't be as divided, and you'll have enough energy and focus. They could also work together on their homework and play together, stuff like that.

Many people say if you are going to have more than one child there are 2 stages.

1st is to have them approx 18-21 months apart.

2nd leave it a good 5 years.

Having just one baby can be very time consuming and tiring for any parent so you just have to double that.

why are you thinking of home schooling?? that is a lot of pressure to put upon yourself.

its not hard to actually HAVE the child. in fact the actual birth may be easier because you are not as tight in that area, so it can be quicker at the time of birth. conception is still about the same i would think.

as for RAISING the child, yes it can be very difficult to take care of a toddler and a newborn. they are at two completely different stages of life that both require ALOT of attention. and just as importantly MONEY.

i had my children years apart and i think it's harder, my son had me to himself for 8yrs untill his sister was born. we used to do every thing together and go any where, but when his sister came along it all went out the window which built a certain amount of resentment, as you teaching at home you can be more flexable, i wouldn't rush into having a second baby you should allow your self to enjoy all his/her firsts, but two ywars apart i think is close enough to go through the adjustments needed .

i have 3 kids.10 yrs,8 yrs,and now 4 months.im in my 30's now and it's not as easy,but i still have no problems.the older kids love 2 help out.i think spacing them out 2 to 3 yrs is perfect.....but that doesnt always happen.lol.i wouldnt change anything though.maybe give it another year???good luck.