A mom of kids 18 months apart reveals what it’s like to have two kids under two. If you have kids close in age, you will love this!
When my son was 10-months-old, we found out we were pregnant with another baby. Our daughter was born two days before our son turned 18-months-old. Gasp! I know. They are pretty close. And it was awesome at first. Our son wasn’t old enough to be jealous, and he was really interested in helping me with her. He would always bring her blankets and toys and pacifiers, and it was really sweet. Until about three months in and things started getting crazy.
Having two kids under two means having two kids in diapers. It’s expensive buying multiple sizes of diapers, and that’s not even the worst part. Some days feel like one giant dirty diaper. You change one poop, and then the other one poops. Then thirty minutes later it happens again. Some days just feel like an endless cycle of poop. Your house starts smelling like poop, and you end up trying to mask the scent when visitors come by spraying unnecessary amounts of Febreze everywhere. But your guests will know something’s up when every room smells like “Linen and Sky.”
When you have two kids under two, you never go out to eat. You either have to try and fit your car seat into a booth for your baby and put your toddler in a high chair, do two high chairs, or try and put your toddler in a booster seat while your baby is in a high chair. WHICH IS A JOKE. It’s impossible. And that’s just the seating arrangement. Try making it through a whole dinner without a meltdown from your children (or you). Good luck.
Going places takes forever, too. You have to get both kids ready, then get them both out the door and buckled into the car. Then when you get wherever you are going, you have to get them both out, and figure out a way to carry both of them. If you choose a stroller, you have to get the stroller out, buckle them both in, and then you’re good. And you have to repeat all of that backwards to get home. You might as well add on 30 minutes to any of your plans, and even then, you will probably still be late because one of them will poop as soon as you walk out the door.
Your schedule is tied to naps when you have two kids under two. Family get-together at 1? Nope, that’s when my kids nap. Morning playgroup at nine? Nope, that’s when my baby naps. Just skip the nap you say? No way. Because when four o’clock rolls around, you’ve got two kids on meltdown mode and that’s not going to fly.
People give you “the look” when you have two kids under two. Or worse, they ask how close your kids are in age and then go “Oh, wow” and proceed to tell you that they can’t imagine doing that. Thanks for judging my life decisions. I just love children.
When your baby is really young and eats all the time (and you feel like a milk factory), it’s super hard to simultaneously take care of your toddler. You will suffer some guilt, and then you’ll get over it because you can only do so much. And even though you said you’d never let your child play with the iPad, you quickly realize that he will sit down and watch weird YouTube videos of people opening plastic eggs for hours so you can get some quiet and feed your baby.
Sometimes both kids will cry. And cry, and cry, and cry. And then your head will explode.
When you have two kids under two, you will be absolutely exhausted by the end of the day. You will be out as soon as you hit the pillow at night. You will sleep deeply and soundly, even though the slightest noise from either of your kids will immediately wake you up. But in the morning, you will get up and do it all over again. Because when you have two kids under two, you have two tiny human beings who rely completely on you. And it will be the best.
Kersten says
I so admire moms who have babies that close together! What best friends they will be! Mine are 25 months apart, which isn’t quite 2 kids under 2, but this was making me laugh!! The nap thing. Oh the nap thing. Why does no one understand the importance of naps?! Why do they always ask me to just skip it for some silly activity that isn’t worth the price I would pay for it? Don’t mess with the naps. Especially when you’ve got two haha! And shortly after my 2nd was born, I called my mom and don’t her I was certain my brains were exploding from the screaming. Glad I’m not the only one lol!
Chelsea Johnson says
It’s fun, but it’s also hard! As they get older it has been getting better! 25 months apart is fun, too! My sister and I are 2 years and 1 week apart, and we are best friends! Skipping naps is like the ultimate no-no! And I’m glad you could relate!
kathleen decato says
my kids are 11 months apart. They are now 10 years old and 11 years old one boy (11) and one girl (10) . This wasn’t planned . we wanted kids close in age. i was pulling out my hair potty training and they both seemed to get sick at the sametime. but they are good friends. i wouldn’t change it for the world.
Chelsea Johnson says
I’m sure I’ve got some more rough patches ahead, but like you said, I wouldn’t change it for the world, either! Thanks, Kathleen!
Rebecca says
Oh how true the nap thing is. My kids are 15 months apart, and just now 5 and 6, we are starting to go to family functions again because they ALWAYS scheduled them for 1 or 2 pm. The kids and I would just miss it while daddy went alone, or we’d go really late if it lasted that long. I never understood how a family with other littles in it didn’t ‘get that moving it to noon or 3 would be so much better. Oh well, we aren’t here to make family happy, we’re here to raise our kids the best we can. But don’t mess with my kids naps!
I can remember the first time I went out to eat by myself with two kids, my youngest was 4 months, and it was after a dr’s apt. It took us about 2 hrs I swear because of feeding both, plus I wanted to eat too.
Chelsea Johnson says
I know! I still haven’t tried to go out to eat by myself with them. I picked up food one time and it took about 15 minutes, and they were so wiggly the whole time! And I’m glad you agree about the naps! Come on, people!
Kimberly says
I saw this on pinterest and I was hoping for advice but I really enjoyed the laugh this gave me. I’m so terrified right now… I’m due in 2 weeks with my second and my first is only 12 months old and she is wild as can be. I think I’m going to adopt the “take it day by day” method and just work on maintaining my sanity, lol.
Chelsea Johnson says
Well I’m glad I could make you laugh! With my second I felt like I was eased into the transition to having two kids. Newborns sleep all the time so I felt like I was able to gradually get the hang of having two kids. It’s so fun to see your older child become a sibling, and even though there are definitely hard days, it’s so much fun to watch them grow up so close! Good luck!!
Autumn says
Ha, this is all so true! We had our first two boys 15 months apart (on purpose!). It was a crazy few years. They are 7 and 8 now and are the best of friends. It was so hard, but I’m so glad we did it. Then we were crazy enough to adopt two little girls just 13 months apart. Going out to eat with 4 kids, two of which are in high chairs calls for a lot of planning and juggling. BTW, I’m a total nap-Nazi too. Life isn’t fun with little people that are melting down!
Chelsea Johnson says
Thank you! My husband still doesn’t understand the nap thing. It’s like the number one priority for me and he just doesn’t get it. I’m glad to hear that your kids are best friends! And how fun to adopt little girls close in age, too!
Nicole says
Can I just tell you how refreshing it is to hear that my husband isn’t the only one that doesn’t get the whole nap Nazi thing?!??! I’m like, “Are you new here?!?”. We have an 18 month old girl and she gives us a run for our money as it is. I’m due in 6 weeks with baby girl number two. He suggested today that we go for a weekend getaway with the kids when the baby is 8 weeks old. Hotel, outdoor activities…the whole thing… I’m like “This sounds awful to me. Do you remember what having an 8 week old is like?” I feel like I’m being such a Debbie Downer, but for real, please get it through your head that “we” which really means me, are home bound for another two years. If I want to cultivate my own sanity that is…..SMH.
Chelsea Johnson says
Nope! Definitely not alone! It’s hard going on big trips like that with little ones!
Jessica Dimas says
Lol this made me laugh so much. Mine are 24 months apart but I could definitely relate to most of this. Also laughed at the weird Youtube videos comment – seriously, all kids watch those creepy egg videos!!! Mine are obsessed with them!
I had mine close together on purpose with the hopes that they’ll be close enough in age to be good friends, although a lot of people love to tell me that it can be the opposite when they’re so close in age, but whatever! My brother was 3.5 years younger than me and always just a tad too young for me to really enjoy playing with him very much.
Chelsea Johnson says
My husband and his brother are 3.5 years apart, too and they aren’t super close either. It is fun having them close, especially now that they are old enough to play together! And my mom actually bought my son one of those weird eggs and he didn’t like it quite as much as watching the videos haha!
Amanda says
Thanks for posting this. I laughed at the part about the ipad because that is something that I am adamant about and I’m sure at some point I’ll give in. My son is 10 months and I am currently pregnant so they will be about 19 months apart and I know it’s going to be hectic and crazy but I’m so excited to have another one already!
Chelsea Johnson says
It’s so true! That’s something I was always so set on was never giving him the iPad. We still don’t do it a ton now, but sometimes it really does help!!! Congratulations! You’ll love having them close 🙂
Leslie says
This was hilarious! My two boys are exactly 24 months and 1 week apart. It’s definitely tough going out to eat at a restaurant. My 2 month old will be asleep when we get there, but as soon as the food arrives, he wakes up crying! Happens EVERYTIME! And I also laughed so hard at the weird Youtube egg videos! My 2 year old recently just discovered it and he can’t get enough of them! But I am so thankful that somebody made those!
Chelsea Johnson says
That’s how far apart my sister and I are! I’m glad you liked this post! It really is a joke trying to eat out, but we keep doing it. It does get better, I promise! We are finally at the point where we can get through dinner without having to walk around with one of the kids! And I’m glad someone made them to distract my son, too!
Tiffany says
This is all so true. Sad but true. On a good day, funny and true 🙂 My daughter and son are almost 18 mos apart, so I can very much relate to it all. For me, it wasn’t YouTube videos, it was George cartoons! My daughter just turned 4 and my son is 2 years and 7 mos. We are finally to the point where I can go to restaurants alone with them, but I much prefer the Panerra drive through 🙂 Just keep plodding along, it gets better and they will be best friends for life 🙂
Chelsea Johnson says
Those little moments where they play together and you can see how good of friends they’re going to be in the future make it all worth it! And yes, the drive through is definitely going to be my best friend for many more years!! Thanks, Tiffany!
Ivy says
This made me want to laugh and crying at the same time. My daughter will almost be 2 when my 2nd is born. She is non-stop all day long and I’m so worried how I’m going to do it. I am super lucky that the job I have now allows me to take her with me but I know there is no way I can have 2 at work and get anything done. She keeps me ragged now so it is. And of course my husband doesn’t get it and got mad when I mentioned the dreaded daycare possibility. He has this crazy thought that I’m a stay at home mom because I don’t work full-time but 30 hours a week while trying to wrangle an 18 month old is more like 50 hours lol! Thanks for the heads up!
Chelsea Johnson says
Thanks, Ivy!! Sometimes husbands just don’t get it because they are at work instead of with the kids all day. I feel ya! Good luck with the daycare!! I hope you can convince him and make it work!!
Michelle W says
Yes!!! The diapers, all the diapers! The looks and comments, all the looks and comments!! My boys are 13 months apart and we are just coming out of the thick of it now that they are four and three. The hardest part for me was when they were both on the go and would run in opposite directions and get into stuff. It’s a crazy life; but, I wouldn’t change it.
Chelsea Johnson says
It is crazy and I agree, I wouldn’t change any of it! Thanks, Michelle!
Kirsten says
I always wanted my kids to be close together, but I got my second 6 years later! I cant imagine having to change two diapers all the time, but the way you talked about the smell of poop totally had me laughing outloud! Although my daughter was 6, I can totally relate with you and allowing the weird easter egg utube vidoes! Ha!
Chelsea Johnson says
Those videos are so weird, right!? I’m glad my son isn’t the only one who got into them!
Julie Huff says
I just saw the picture of your kids, I had two under two too! 18 months apart. Oldest a blonde boy, followed by a dark haired girl. I loved it!!! They’re both out of college and working now. One lives in Japan. They plan vacations together and are great friends to each other. Your pictures brought me right back to those days.
Chelsea Johnson says
Cute! That sounds so fun! I hope my kids are the same way! That would be the best!
Liz says
My two kids were 19 months apart. A girl and then a boy. Now they are 17 and almost 16. I agree, it was a lot of work! I had one in cloth diapers and the other in disposables to save money. Did not go out to eat until they were 4 and 5 years old. But they are super close and I wouldn’t have it any other way now. The strangest thing I ever had said to me was ” are they twins?” One was obviously young infant and the other was a toddler with hair. I always tell those who have kids close together , that’s a wild ride at first but it gets easier before you know it. And hopefully they will be best friends like mine are!
Chelsea Johnson says
Thanks for the support! It is definitely crazy sometimes, but it’s a lot of fun! And they are best friends right now so I hope it stays that way!!
Rachel says
Well I hated reading this article. What good comes from having 2 babies under 2? Apperiantly nothing except I have two tiny humans relying on me completely. I am under a ton of stress as we wait for our new unexpected baby. I turned to read a helpful acticle and only found that my life is going to hell because I got pregnant on birth control years before I planned to have a second. So thank you for making me feel like I can’t do this, I understand giving babies everything but it sounds like I give up all my sanity too leaving me with nothing but being a vessle to keep them alive. I am no longer a mom but a slave to these 2 tiny humans. I feel I can’t do this all because of you. Thanks kindly.
Chelsea Johnson says
Rachel, I did not intend to freak you out! This is a satirical post! Don’t feel overwhelmed. It is SO MUCH FUN having two under two! It’s a little crazy and it does take getting used to at first, but it’s the best, I promise 🙂 Maybe try reading this post or this post to help you get your confidence back!!
Soon2bmumof2 says
I agree with the above poster well not to that dramatic effect but I was feeling hopeful but definitely not so much now. You only mentioned at the end but “it will be the best” how so ?? you only mentioned the negatives ?
Chelsea Johnson says
It’s satire. Read my response to her comment please.