My boys were born just over 21 months apart. In the summer of 2021, my husband and I had what parents on the internet call two under two.
I know 21 months isn’t that close together, and I only have two kids. But it was still a big transition. That first summer after Jonah was born was hard. There was the normal newborn night feedings, way too many diaper changes and lots of crying. But it was also hard for my oldest, River.
Up until that point, River was an only child and the first grandchild. He had his world turned upside down. He had to share his mama and his old toys. He didn’t like it and didn’t yet have the words to express how he felt. He cried almost as much as the baby.
Fast forward almost two years, and it’s a lot easier. The boys are best friends.
Jonah might actually think he and River are the same person. If you ask Jonah what his name is, half of the time he will say “River.” And River can understand his brother’s toddler speak better than me sometimes.
And they’re finally getting to a point where they can play together. We recently spent the afternoon at our family’s cabin in southern Indiana. I watched the boys chase each other, hunt for rocks and try to catch toads. If I could go back in time to summer 2023, I would show myself pictures of that afternoon.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not always smooth sailing over here — the boys were fighting over a green Hot Wheels truck on the drive to day care the other morning. Parenting two boys so close in age was hard those first few months. To be honest, it was hard that first year. But I wouldn’t change a thing.
Darian Benson is a mom of two toddler boys who have endless energy. You can reach her at [email protected].
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