Considering a third child at 37 with a larger age gap

[Polly5678]

Opinions please! I can’t get seem
to get rid of my broodiness for for 3rd child. We currently have a 9 & 5 year old, I’m 37 and DH 41. Would it be a huge mistake to start over again? I’d love to hear from those who have a similar gap or those who had a 3rd ‘later in life’ with a bigger gap. Financially we are ok with a 4 bed house but no family help.

We did this - I was your age, Dh was 43, and there's 8 and 10 years between our third and the other 2. DC3 was a surprise though, but a really happy one - although we didn't have family to help I loved every minute of it, I was more relaxed and knew what I was doing, really enjoyed spending time with a little person again, and he was/is adored by his older siblings. Go for it! ☺️

Personally I think if I haven’t had a 3rd by the time DS is 3 (he’s just turned 1) then I’ll be done. I just can’t imagine being so far out of sterilising/nappies/3 hour wake ups for milk (if you’re lucky) and starting all over again but if you’re financially fine and broody, you’ll regret not doing it I think! DS has been a shock to the system after a very chilled, slept through from 7 weeks and happy DD though so maybe that’s why I feel like I do 😂

Only 2 children here, but our ages/age gap would be very similar! I had my second at 38 with a 6 year age gap.

No issues at all, they get on really well and the gap means there isn't such a clash in terms of life stage/needs.

We don't have family help either but it hasn't felt any more difficult in my late thirties than it did in my early thirties.

Lots of people do that tbh

I wouldn't though, being 35 with a 7yo

13 years til uni, hopefully!

Why are you hesitating, you aren’t that old and the gaps aren’t huge, in fact they are very likely to love the new baby that they aren’t in competition with.

fwiw I have an 11 year gap between my daughters, they are not close but that’s ok.

my mum had six, with a 19 year difference first to last .. last three were within 3 years, anything can work, or not work, it’s down to personalities not timing.