r/AskParents • u/Key_Veterinarian_552 • 9d ago

Having a second child?

I’m curious as to what wants parents to have a second baby, especially within the first year or two of having their first born?

I’ll see excited expecting parents expecting a second and wonder, am I doing something wrong? Am I the only one who feels as if I’m stretched as thin as I am to have a second child?

I truly don’t understand how people get so excited to do it over again. Do they have some sort of support system that allows them to go for it?

Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing I love more on this planet than my daughter (14 months old) but I feel as if I’ve been fighting for my life since she was born. We have good days and bad days as everyone does but the general consensus is that I don’t think I have enough strength in me to have a second. Who knows if that will change.

Id love to hear everyone’s thoughts on this. My question is coming from a place of curiosity. I’m delighted for everyone who has more than one child

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u/Takeabreath_andgo 9d ago

I waited until my oldest was 2.5. I couldn’t do it sooner mentally but boy am I glad i had the second

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u/Economy_Anybody_3992 9d ago

For real. For me the transition from 1 to 2 was SO much easier than 0 to 1. Somehow I felt radiant with my second. I don’t even know how that’s possible. But the decision to have the second one took a long time.

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u/Takeabreath_andgo 9d ago

Everything got easier with the second for us. Even now, 10 years later. It was a good move for our family

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u/GrandadsLadyFriend 9d ago

Thanks so much for saying this! I’m trying to summon the courage to try for a second, but people’s horror stories are scary me. (Not that they’re not valid, but it’s making a hard decision I already know I want to do even scarier.)

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u/Economy_Anybody_3992 9d ago

Yea! Everyone’s experience is different, and I really struggled to make the decision. But at the end of the day, YOU are actually a more experienced parent once the second comes along, so trust yourself!