Tell me about 3 DC with these gaps

[Bewildened]

Recently found out Im pregnant with DC3 and having a lot of wobbles about it, including how it will affect my kids.

DS will be just 7 (year 2) and DD will be 4.5 (preschool) when DC3 arrives. Does anyone have these gaps and can share the positives?

Congratulations. My eldest was in y2 when my youngest was born, and the middle one was 2.5 (so I had the bigger gap between my first two).

they all adore each other. Now 5 and 12, the oldest and youngest have more in common with the middle one, but it does just work. It’s daunting at the stage you’re at but it (third child) is honestly the best surprise I’ve ever had.

That’s pretty much the gap I had with mine. I never had any problems really. The older 2 lobes their little brother. I also got plenty time with him as the other 2 were out during the day at school.

what is it you are worried about most?
I had 9 & 10 years between me and my siblings and it was weird growing up a they left home when I was quite young so had siblings but didn’t have a sibling relationship with them but my 3 have and although there are times they have been closer than others they are pretty close now at 21,18 and 14 and oldest spoils youngest when they are together and ds1 spends loads of time with ds2, ds2 really misses him now he’s away at uni.

Thank you @GetDownkeith. Im
worried that the gap will be too big for the youngest to ever really experience playing with their siblings, and that for the oldest in particular it will be a real drag having a younger sibling - 7 years seems a lot. Will it be hard finding things that they all enjoy doing? Also worried about middle child syndrome for my dd who is a very “easy” child - independent and compliant.

On the plus side I was thinking that at least by the time dc3 gets into activities and play dates etc, dc1 will be 11/12 and hopefully more independent with stuff, so I won’t have to juggle 3 at once.

The age gap was small enough that it wasn’t a problem because ds2 was too young to care and like you said the older ones were a bit more independent by the time it mattered.

There were times that ds2 wanted to play with ds1 but he was too young surprisingly when ds2 learnt to read and games and things were easier they got much closer and by the time ds1 went away to uni this year they were like best friends because they were both in secondary school they were more like peers than siblings.

i had the same worries as you particularly as I had a large age gap with my own siblings but it was just close enough and I feel that it has worked well.

I have 3-4 years between each of mine and it works beautifully.
They're old enough to understand a bit of what it means, and old enough to be able to feel important helping. I won't say there's never any sibling rivalry, but it generally hasn't been too much, even as small ones.

#3 and #1 have a lovely relationship, and pretty much always have even though there's 7 years between them. He'll go to her if he needs help, and she'll look after him.

Our girls were 7y11m and 4y9m when our little boy was born, so very similar to you, OP. It's honestly been great, the girls play with him and help out, and their friends LOVE him! He just slotted right in. He's 1y10m now and honestly no regrets! Congrats!

This is lovely to hear - thank you for the replies!

Im feeling very daunted by the whole thing - going back to sleepless nights, nappies etc etc. I really hope it is a positive thing for the kids.

Bumping this for any more replies!

DD is nearly 8, DS is 5.5 and our baby is 11 months so very similar to you.

They absolutely adore their baby brother 😍They are also really helpful and I found the gap was easier than the gap between 1 and 2 as they're so much more independent. Plus baby loves his big brother and sister !

You'll be fine, enjoy.

Thank you @TwistedSisters I think that’s almost identical to the gaps we will have - really reassuring to hear.