
Shortly after P was born, I declared that Chad and I were “one and done.” The hours of crying each night, the anxiety, the feelings of utter helplessness, surely, we were not doing it again. And then, 11 months later, I attended a beautiful baby shower for a good friend of mine. There, I spoke to her sister-in-law, who has three young children. “How do you do it?” I asked, adding “I can barely handle the one I have.”
She smiled warmly, “Believe it or not, it’s easier when you have more than one. They entertain each other.”
“Hmmm.” The wheels began to turn in my fatigued, fickle brain.
She added, “Truthfully, you forget what it’s like to have just one, just like you can’t remember now what you did before you had a kid.”
“True,” I responded.
As covertly as I could, I observed the woman and her children during the shower. The two older children, who looked to be maybe five and three, sat politely in their chairs, ate their scones, and giggled at each other. The mother smiled on, holding her newborn son in a baby carrier. I won’t pretend to know what goes on in their home, but there, at that baby shower, they looked genuinely happy.
When I arrived home that afternoon, I found Chad sitting on the couch. I stood directly in front of him, blocking the television, and, as authoritatively as I could, demanded that he give me another baby.
“Right now?” he asked, his face contorted into a confused, but eager expression.
“Well, maybe not right now, but I think we should consider it.” I explained, “If we’re going to do it, I’d rather have it happen sooner than later. I mean, don’t you want P to have a sibling close enough in age that they can play together?”
Throughout the next week, we discussed the possibility of having a second child. Some days, we were both on board, and other days, especially long, busy days, we were more hesitant about the idea. I wondered, “Would we be selfish to have another?” I feel like a decent mother most of the time, but with two, could I hack it? A second child would also mean making some pretty significant lifestyle changes; with well over six figures in private, student loan debt, the cost of living in the DC metro area (where we can both find jobs), child care costs, etc. we would have to make cuts somewhere. It has been about three months since the conversation began, and we’re still debating our ability to finance potential cherub number two.
In the time since my friend’s baby shower, my Facebook feed has exploded with more baby news; two of my friends gave birth to their children, and two of my friends from high school announced their second pregnancies. I stared at their baby belly pictures with the tiniest bit of envy; “What is wrong with me?” I wondered. “I didn’t even enjoy (most of) my pregnancy.” For about the millionth time since becoming a parent, I questioned my sanity. I mean, who says, “Oooooh, Oooooh, meeeee (raising hand in the air)! I need fewer hours of sleep!”, “I love going to the bathroom with a screaming toddler clinging to my leg. I just need another one for the other leg!” or, “Less time to myself? Abso-freakin-lutely!”?
It’s not that I don’t remember how soul-wrenching P’s first few months were. I remember them vividly (see previous post- Great (Parental) Expectations, Part II). The good memories just hold a more powerful presence in my mind- P’s look of absolute delight when she builds a four-block tower, the way she wraps her arms around my neck when I pick her up from daycare (like, “I missed you all day, Ma!”), the way she moves her arms up and down when she’s excited (P has some super sweet dance moves), and the wondrous look in her eyes when she sees something for the first time. I also think about what our lives will look like with a second child: P “cheesing” for the camera while holding her newborn sibling, chaotic mornings, with spilled coffee and poopy diapers, and short, weeknight dates with Chad, sharing a cheap bottle of wine and arguing (lovingly, of course) about whether to watch “The Real Housewives of Orange County” or “Secret War” (only to be cut short by crying child one or two). I suppose that could sound awful to some, but to me, it doesn’t sound too bad. I have always found that the most beautiful things in life are a little flawed.
When and if we do have another child, I know there are still going to be those soul-wrenching days; I won’t pretend it’s going to be all sunshine and rainbows. As challenging as it is, though, Chad and I believe it will be worth it. I guess all that’s left to say is, “Stay tuned.”
I think one of the greatest gifts you can give your children is a sibling. We recently had our second child (in February) and our two boys are already becoming best buddies. Just today when the older one woke up from his nap the first thing he asked was where his brother was. He was upset to hear that his brother was napping and asked me to “go get John?”
Certainly there are moments that are challenging, but I find that in a lot of ways having two is easier than having one.
Betsy, thank you for reading, and for sharing your experience of adding another child to the brood. I am hopeful that if we have another, P and her sibling will become fast friends. Glad to hear that your experience has been a positive one. 🙂
i am just about right where you are, kristi! we have a wonderful 16 month old boy and i would love another kiddo (hubby is on the fence), and there are so many fears surrounding this life altering decision. we said when he reached a year old we’d discuss it, but thus far nothing has been made official. we’re both very concerned about finances and childcare. neither of us make enough so that one of us can stay home with the kids, and daycare for two will eat us alive. i have no idea how we’ll make it work, yet i really really want my son to have a sibling; i grew up the oldest of four and would have missed out on a lot had i been an only child.
Jen, you are right about one thing: the fear surrounding a second child. It is a shame that bringing children into the world requires such planning. Quality childcare is very expensive! I’m right there with you with the struggle. Good luck to you; I think where there’s a will, there’s a way! 🙂
We are spacing our children so the oldest will be in junior kindergarten once the youngest starts day care. Paying for two day care fees is difficult for any family but you can try this strategy by waiting a bit. Plus you won’t have two in diapers at the same time!