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Best Age gaps

10 replies

m90 · 13/09/2014 11:26

Hi, I have 2 DD's eldest 3years, youngest 5 months, anyway I have always wanted a large family and wondered what's everyone's experiences with age gaps? think my hormones are through the roof at the moment so broody

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BeauticianNotMagician81 · 13/09/2014 14:53

I have a 9,8 and 15 month old. The 17 month age gap between 1 & 2 wasn't too bad although once with that age gap was enough. We will be starting ttc dc4 in January. So roughly a 2 and a half year age gap this time Smile

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princesscupcakemummyb · 15/09/2014 18:34

my children are 5 a nearly 3 year old and a 10 month old 2 girls and the little one is a boy and we are ttc i am so broody and ready for another lol i am 27 and dont feel i am getting any younger

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Angelto5 · 15/09/2014 18:43

I have 5dc-ds1(15),dd1(12),ds2(8),dd2(5) &dd3(7.5mths).
I prefer waiting until the youngest goes to nursery/school before I had another one.
We're not planning on having any more & I'm in my early 30's. Smile

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WhoMovedMyVuvuzela · 15/09/2014 22:36

I quite liked the 18m age gap between DC's 2 and 3, DC2 was so young when DC3 arrived that he just accepted the new baby without any problem/jealously. The other upsides are that they share clothes (only really works for all clothes if they are the same sex...) and life never returns to any sort of normality so you just carry on with the nappies and the pushchairs etc. The only downside was that it was hard on my body and I felt like I spent an eternity in pregnancy clothes, then post pregnancy clothes...then did the whole cycle again (I may never wear leggings ever again!).

The two larger gaps were tricky for the fact that the older sibling was a bit unhappy about the next baby arriving, DC3 in particular was not impressed! The other downside is doing a full on school/nursery run with a newborn. However it was nice to get fit between pregnancies, wear some normal clothes, drink wine, have DC's who would sleep and therefore could be left with babysitters before doing it all again.

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m90 · 16/09/2014 10:26

Hi Thanks everyone, an 18 month gap seems quite nice, I guess my body will decide that though, lots of things to do first like losing a few lbs and pelvic floor exercises!
I'm a sahm and will go back to work school hours once girls are in school that's why I was thinking it would be better to have one sooner

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Passthebiscuitspls · 16/09/2014 14:13

There's just 4 years between my first two and they'll be three between number 2 and 3. To be honest, I found the second a doddle and I think that's because there was a bigger gap. He started school as she was born so I had time to spend with the new one and still nap in the day. He totally accepted the baby as he understood it all so it was a seamless entry!

I've seen very small age gaps in some of my friends and it does seem harder work although I can see there are massive benefits. I wouldn't change mine or do it differently if I could. Xx

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imip · 16/09/2014 14:15

I would have always said small age gaps. And, honestly, you can try for a particular age gap, but Mother Nature always has last say!

I have a 19, 20 and 22 month age gap. All 4 dcs were born within 5.2 years of each other. I now only have one dc at home, aged 2.5. I have to say, only 2 weeks into the school term, I am really enjoying her, and having time to dedicate only to her. I've felt really strange about it all, and I realise it is because I am listening to her all the time - I'm not firefighting or arbitrating. I can respond directly to her. So, I guess I'd say a 3 yr gap is kind of nice. I have about 50% rivalry50% love between my older 3 dcs (7, 6 and 4). I'm sure it's more down to personalities rather than the distance of your gap.

Fwiw, I had my first surviving baby at 35 and my last at 40, so short of multiple births, I needed these age gaps Grin. But I do wonder now whether a bigger age gap would have meant that I would have enjoyed it more, as I am liking time with dd4. Conversely, I'm a sahm and would like to go back to work eventually. I'm still very broody and am being dragged out of that baby years reluctantly, but also quietly excited about all dcs generally sleeping through the night, being toilet training and a few hours on my own during the week!

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littlepeas · 16/09/2014 20:51

I have 3dc and 13 month and 22 month gaps. The little gap was very easy tbh - dc1 still slept loads during the day and I managed to juggle their naps so I had individual time with each of them for quite a while. They both sat in the pram nicely for a good stretch too! The bigger gap was ok too. We've never had any jealousy and none of them really remember a time without the others being there. They are very close and a real unit. They are moving onwards together and we will have many years of them all being at a similar stage and being able to do stuff all together. I am a but down in the dumps about how quickly school has come around - they are in consecutive years and only dc3 is at home with me now. Overall I am glad we had them close together.

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MultipleMama · 22/09/2014 20:45

I have a variety Grin

I have 6DC, biggest gap is 31 months, and smallest gap so far is just under 13 months. DC are aged; 6,3,2,2,11mo,11mo. I love the age gaps between mine, it works for us. I'm currently pregnant with DC7 and we go by due date they'll be 15 months between my youngest and A-twins.

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m90 · 05/10/2014 11:55

Thanks everyone, we have decided to try for another! so excited now although may take a while AF has gone missing for a few months so not sure where I am.For us we always wanted 3-4 children and it makes sense to have them now raise them to school age (cost of childcare ridiculous!) then go back to work.
Wow MultipleMama have I read that right 2 sets of Twins? :)
xx

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