Age gap between children

[Boo-Bobz]

Hi Dibbers,
DH and I have decided we will try for another baby when we return from Florida later this year.
We already have DD(9) and DS(6)
Just wondering what people’s experience of having a bigger age gap between children. I’m worried baby will grow up feeling like an only child as the interests of our older 2 will be so different.

[MrsBC]

Originally Posted by Boo-Bobz

Hi Dibbers,
DH and I have decided we will try for another baby when we return from Florida later this year.
We already have DD(9) and DS(6)
Just wondering what people’s experience of having a bigger age gap between children. I’m worried baby will grow up feeling like an only child as the interests of our older 2 will be so different.

See more...

He or she will probably be completely spoiled by the other 2

[Lisa123wm]

Mine are 20, 18 and 13. 23 months between the eldest two and 4yrs 9 mths between the youngest two.
Ideally, I’d have had a 2 year age gap between each one. But, we didn’t think about having a third until the second started nursery and we got a bit broody.
As it is, the younger two are closest as our eldest is autistic and doesn’t have the usual sibling bond 😕

[DisneyDaffodil]

We have two boys who were 11 and 13 when we had our daughter. I had always wanted 3 or 4 children but couldn’t afford a third while the boys were very young, but we decided to have one more when I was 35 as I didn’t want to leave it any later so it was then or never.

There are pros and cons. DD wasn’t as close to her brothers as they were to each other as children but now she is 18, she gets on better with middle son than the older son does. She was an only child in many ways growing up, but her brothers love her and are there for her now she is older if she wants advice or help from them and they all get on well.

I had more energy with our older two, but far more patience with DD. DD and I are very close and get on very well as friends as well as mum and daughter. I love them all equally of course and they all have their own special qualities. I never regret having a ‘late’ baby and I don’t think it has caused any problems for DD or her siblings either

[Vinniecat]

We have 4 children there are 10 and a half years between the oldest and the youngest. It can be difficult at times because what the older ones want to do the younger ones can't. Then the older ones don't want to do the same as the younger ones. However there are also advantages. I do wish mine were a little closer in age but I wouldn't swap them. My grandparents had 5 children and there were 19 years between their oldest and youngest. That was because my grandma thought it was impossible to get pregnant after the age of 40! My mum was the second child and is 17 years older than her youngest sister. They are very close.

[Megandllsmum]

10 years between my 2 girls one is 10 one 20

[floridasgirl]

6 yrs between mine. DD15 and DS9. Not planned, just the way it happened. They get on brilliantly (most of the time! ).
Like others say, the youngest will always be spoilt, especially with a bigger gap!

[Loobylou_82]

Originally Posted by Boo-Bobz

Hi Dibbers,
DH and I have decided we will try for another baby when we return from Florida later this year.
We already have DD(9) and DS(6)
Just wondering what people’s experience of having a bigger age gap between children. I’m worried baby will grow up feeling like an only child as the interests of our older 2 will be so different.

See more...

DD is nearly 37, DS1 is 33 and DS2 is nearly 28. I planned it that I would have a baby as each child started school, so I could be at home with the baby and give it my undivided attention. Also you could grab a quick nap during the day when the baby slept. All 3 of them are close to each other. Funny thing is daughter has done the same, hers are 14, nearly 8 and 3.

[RachaelC]

I have 2, oldest is 9 and his little sister has just turned one.

Obviously I don’t know how it will be in the future, but at the moment they absolutely adore each other and have done since day one. My son has been wonderful with his baby sister, he did skin to skin with her when she was tiny, he’s changed nappies and she is is favourite person in the whole world.

While I wouldn’t have necessarily chosen quite such a big age gap, it’s been great so far.

[NewtoOrlando]

I have 22 months between my 2, they get on brilliantly most of the time (11 & nearly 13 and one of each) They have the same interests and we planned it that way, luckily we did as my health got worse and I couldn't have any more anyway. My middle sister has twin boys, and my older sister has a girl of 9 and a boy of 16 nearly. They have the worst relationship out of all the kids, they cant be in the same room as eachother half the time which is sad to see and I hope they change as they get older!


My oldest sister is 8 years older than me and we weren't close at all growing up, but I was close to my middle sister who is 4 years older than me, but now as grown ups we have a great friendship and I wouldn't be without them. I think it has swings and round abouts, theres never a good time to have a baby IMO, everyone told me I was mental when I got pregnant my 2nd, as my dd was only 15 months old, but it worked out fine, i'm sure your decision will do too!x