u/Informal-North-3046

Is having a second child mainly to give your first a playmate enough of a reason?

I've always thought it's a valid reason, but not enough to be the only reason. I love being a mom, but I've also always felt really daunted by the idea of having a second.

There are definitely a few things that appeal to me about having a second child, but for the most part, the idea feels so daunting that it stops me in my tracks. That's been the bigger feeling for me most days.

For those of you who have two kids, how much harder is it than having one?

I'm not interested in comparisons like, "Going from 0 to 1 was harder than 1 to 2." To me, those are completely different transitions. I'm specifically wondering what life is actually like once you have two.

I've heard that having a built-in playmate can make life easier once they're older, but I've also heard that two kids are far more than twice the work...

And what about a 5–6 year age gap? Does that really end up giving your first child a built-in playmate, or is the age difference too big for that?

Where is the best place to buy a used bike for a 6'4" tall man? I'd rather buy from a bike shop than Marketplace. I'm open to buying new too, but new bikes can get so expensive. Hoping to find something decent without spending thousands of dollars. Any recommendations?

Anyone live near Kings Road & Capitol Heights (Oaklands)? How is that specific area for kids and families?

I know Oaklands overall is pretty family-friendly, but I’m curious about that pocket in particular. Thanks!

Looking for a 2-bedroom vacation rental near the Living Desert Zoo in Palm Desert for Feb 3–13/2027. Ideally on or very close to Silver Spur Trail, but anywhere in that immediate area would work.

Budget is max ~$5K for 10 nights (would love to stay under). We currently have a refundable place booked in La Quinta, but hoping to be closer to friends staying on Silver Spur.

I’ve checked Airbnb and found a few decent options, but wondering if there are other sites, local agencies, or off-market rentals I should be looking at?

Appreciate any leads 🙏

Hi! Planning our first family trip to Palm Springs / Palm Desert (Jan/Feb 2027) with a 6 year old.

Looking for:

- 1–2 bedroom (or separate sleeping space)

- Kitchen/kitchenette

- Resort-style amenities (pools, kid-friendly vibe, tennis/golf a bonus)

The closest I’ve found is Marriott Desert Springs Villas, which looks perfect in terms of setup, but the 2-bedroom units are coming in around $10–12k/week for our dates. A 1-bedroom might work, but ideally we’d avoid all three of us sleeping in one room for a week.

So now I’m trying to figure out the tradeoff:

- resort/villa style places with amenities but higher cost for space

- vs Airbnb/VRBO with more space but no resort feel

Has anyone found a good middle ground or a property they’d recommend?

Thanks!