[Gonewiththewind:...]

Did you find closer to 2 or closer to 3 years a better age gap?

Could your say 2yr 3mth old or so feed himself, entertain himself for any period, help dress himself, get in/out of the car/pram etc?
What about your 2yr 8 month old or so?

We are thinking around 2yrs 5months but wondering whether to start trying a bit before and take our chances on a smaller gap (with it likely to be closer to our ideal) or whether to wait and risk a bigger than preferred gap.

I guess I'm trying to work out how much harder a 2yr 3month vs a 2yr5month gap would be. I know it seems so silly but there are some ages when their capabilities change so much in just a month or 2 (around 12-14 months for example!).

Thanks for listening to my rambling!!

[3_for_me]

I have a gap of around 2 yrs 4 months between the boys and of just under 3 yrs between DS2 and DD. I loved the bigger gap and felt I really enjoyed DD much more than I was able to enjoy DS2 as a baby. It really did come down to DS2 being just that bit more independent by then.

That said i know there are members on here with very small gaps who preferred it.

The main down side I have found with the larger gap is that it really has drawn out the amount of time before I am able to work properly again.

[imamumto3]

I found the 3 year gap easier than the 2 year 3 month gap. DD1 decided to start toilet training just before DD2 was born which may have been what made the smaller gap harder.

[Pup-pup]

My DD is 2yrs3mths at the moment. She can entertain herself for short periods (30mins at a time) as long as I'm in the vicinity, she can play on a playground, she can walk holding hands or pushing the pram for short distances only (not for a whole shopping trip), she can feed herself but is very messy & defiant at times, she can undress herself, put easy shoes on, is toilet trained but needs help if fully clothed. She cannot get in & out of car or pram. Still very much need a pram for her. Can help with simple tasks around house. I have an 18mth gap -my DD2 is 9 mths. Would not recommend it! I think the biggest thing with the gap you are considering is the pram, as closer to 3 you are less likely to need a pram, but closer to 2 you will be quite restricted without a double.

[Natttmumm]

Mine are just under 2 yrs gap and I thought it was ok but at 2 yrs 4 months which is my youngest now she cant really do all those things. By 3 DD1 could but I found her behavior much worse at 3 than 2 so it all evens out in the end.

[AvadaKedavra]

We are 2 years 9 months. DS1 can dress himself, feed himself, amuse himself for an hour, get in and out of the car etc. He loves loves the new baby and has adjusted really well. It makes DS2 so easy. I love the age gap.

[Kay1]

Totally depends on the child. Ds 1 was easy as a two year old, more challenging at almost three when ds2 arrived. He was not toilet trained and still had to go in the pram. He didn't dress himself until he was five. It was still a good age gap though. Ds2 on the other hand was an impossible 2 year old and a new baby then would have been hell. They are six and three now and pretty independent which will be great when #3 arrives.

[*mylittleprince*]

DS is 2 years, 8 months and I'm absolutely loving this age. Every child is different but he is super independent and such a delight. He can feed himself well, if I put food into containers (we use screwtop ones) into a cooler bag/Esky, he is able to open and feed himself. He entertains himself for hours, likes tv, loves playing with friends and is able to ask for what he wants. He is poo toilet trained but we need to start wee training again (he got poo straight away but not wee so we've waited for a few months and will start again next week). He is able to wee in the toilet (when he has no pants on) and stand on a step and wash and dry his hands which is also good. We will have a 3 year age gap between him and the twins and I think it will be great!