To ask what you think the ideal age gap between kids is?

Mine are 5 years gap - boy / girl. Definitely not as close as I was to my brother with two and a half year gap.

Two minutes worked perfectly for us.

Appreciate that is not a timescale easily planned but it was a breeze. I cannot fathom how parents juggle different ages and the associated needs. Hats off to them.

Mine is 2 yrs 4 months. Eldest F, younger M. This was a bit tough when they were young because the eldest ditched naps and was ready for potty training when the youngest was born.

They have played well together and get on and they also play by themselves. The different interests were becoming evident a few years ago, especially when my eldest hit Yr5-6. There is still a lot they are both interested in though (swimming, climbing, cinema etc).

The age gap was planned in as much as we weren't ready until then and we got lucky first go with younger one.

In retrospect, I would have wanted them to have just 1 school year between them. It's been tough having 2 years of different pick up/drop off locations e.g. nursery/school and infant/junior sites and there'll be a GCSE/A-level year. Sometimes it's awkward in terms of one getting upset about their differing responsibilities/ freedoms (age based). I wouldn't have wanted an even bigger gap. Too big a gap and it might be a struggle to entertain both on days out etc. Just my personal preference.

Five years worked perfectly for us.

I have less than 11 months between mine, whilst unplanned it worked out perfectly and I had a much easier time than friends who had very active 2-4 year olds. It also meant that as they got older activities were suited to both

4 years

Eldest in school and self sufficient (brushing own teeth, going toilet by himself etc)

18 months between mine. Ideal as a lot of the baby stuff was out the way at the same time and back to 'normal' (whatever that is with kids 😂). They generally have similar interests or you can at least still make them join in with something that the other one wants to do.

I think you need a small age gap or a big age gap (where it is a much older child and they can be hands on and help, and you can do the baby and toddler stuff while they are at school so that they aren't bored by this but in the summer hols they are old enough to go out themselves as that I would guess is where you have difficulty if you have a toddler and a 7 year old for example).

3 years. Old enough to be going to nursery and likely to be out of nappies and a bit more reasonable or able to be reasoned with. But young enough to enjoy similar things and be friends with each other.

Two of my four kids have 3 year gaps. Would recommend. No sibling rivalry or upheaval when new one comes along and I felt they’d each gotten that 2 years bonding and attention to them so less mum guilt. Allowed for extended BFing too… and interestingly my periods returned around age 2 so it seems my body agrees 3 years is a good gap!!

3+ years. Much less exhausting

Whatever works for your family is the ideal gap.

We have 20 months. Is worked well for us. DD1 was too young for jealousy but capable of playing alone or waiting a few minutes. She loved her baby sister.

However we are aware that puberty, gcses and alevels is going to be (and starting to be!) Rather busy. (11&13 currently)

4 years. My second was carefully timed so the eldest would start school just before.

I like 4 years - no double pram , only 1 waking in the night , 1 in nappies , I found no jealousy from the older one either

18 months between mine the less gap the better I think as generally they will both like the same places and play together well

3 years good. Depends as you say. I wouldnt like chaos of small age gaps. My friends had one in school then baby. But whatever suits the family.