Some parents only want one child. However, there are many others who want to have at least two or three. Having multiple children isn't for everyone. But you may feel that it makes your family complete. There is one issue that many parents find themselves unsure about when they want to have more than one child. How should they space them out? Many parents think carefully about when to have each child, considering the age gap between them and other factors. Some don't want to have a newborn while their first child is still a toddler. Others want to have their children close together to get the baby stage out of the way. If you're thinking about family planning, here are some issues to consider.
Children Less Than Two Years Apart
One of the things many parents think about is how much of an age gap is too small. For some parents, having their children close together seems logical. They can work through the baby and infant stage for a few years and then have children who are getting more independent. However, for other parents, this can sound like a nightmare. Having two children still in nappies can take a lot of juggling. Trying to chase after a toddler and care for a newborn at the same time might seem impossible. But there are reasons to consider short age gaps between your children. You might want them to have close relationships that might be better formed if they're close in age.
Getting Kids into School
Another reason you might think about having kids close together is that you want them all to start school at similar times. Perhaps you're taking time out from your career or working part-time. But you want to get back to it as soon as possible. If your children are spaced far apart, it could be ten years or more before they all start school. Of course, there are other options, such as daycare and nursery. However, you might want to spend their early years at home with them. On the other hand, you might not want them starting school swiftly one after the other. Perhaps you would prefer to enjoy having them at home for longer.
Finding the Right Method of Birth Control
When you're thinking about family planning, there's more to consider than just age gaps. It's not always possible to space out your children exactly as you want them. You might have an "accident" and end up pregnant sooner than you had planned. Or it might take you longer than you had hoped to get pregnant. And, of course, you can never time everything exactly. Nevertheless, you can still plan to have certain age gaps and get close to what you wanted.
Contraceptives are important to think about when you're planning your family. Some will be more suitable for your plans than others. For example, if you want larger age gaps between children, you might find that an IUD is best. Other people may prefer taking an oral contraceptive for a shorter-term solution. It's easy to get what you need from your doctor or even online. You can order contraceptives like Rigevidon to ensure your supply doesn't run out. If you're breastfeeding, there may be some contraceptives you can't use. So that's another factor to take into account.
Splitting Your Time
If you have an only child, you can give as much love and attention to them as you want. However, with multiple children, you need to share your time. Some of this is out of necessity, such as feeding, changing a nappy or putting a child to bed. But you also need to balance things reading a bedtime story or going on an outing. Having children close together can mean that you often have to give more of your time to your children. You're so busy taking care of necessities that you don't have time for niceties. If your children have a larger age gap, this can change. You don't have to spend as much time caring for more independent older children. So you are able to spend quality time with them, instead of just helping them get dressed or feeding them.
Your Relationship
It's important not to forget your relationship with your partner when you plan your family. Two or more young children can take its toll. For example, you might find that you get very little sleep for a few years. Larger age gaps can allow you to spend a bit more time together, both alone and with your kids. But make the gap too big and you might have got used to the idea of leaving the newborn stage behind.
Everyone has different ideas of the perfect age gap between siblings. You should discuss what's best with your partner to decide what works for you.
*Collaborative post