to ask you to tell me honestly about your 2.5 yr age gaps?

[PuffyPigeon]

Just found out I'm pregnant and my youngest will be around 2.5 when baby is born. She's pretty good at the moment - listens, will hold hands when asked, can share and take turns and understands a lot of what I say etc but I appreciate all this could change at any point! I think 2.5 yrs will be a lovely gap when they're 3 and 5 for example, but honestly how tough is at first?

My dd was 2.3 when ds arrived and I think the age gap is perfect. She's very proud of him and protective when there are others around.

I find managing the two of them fine - tricky bits were him waking at night and sometimes waking her in the early days.

She is very independent and is happy to walk places while he is in the harness or buggy. I think it must be very hard if the older one still needs to be in the buggy when you're out and about.

I also think its a lovely gap for when they are older - close in age but not too close. I grew up with siblings 12 months older and 12 months younger than me and I think there was (and is) a lot of jealousy and rivalry.

DD1 was 2.7 when DD2 was born nearly 10 months ago. It had been absolutely fine. DD1 utterly adores her baby sister & will tell anyone who will listen about her. They share a room and DD1 tells me every morning that she looked after DD2.

So, infairness DD1 is very confident and mature 3 year old and DD2 is a very placid laid back baby. Both have always been amazing sleepers.

If I feel guilty it's because I've done less groups etc with DD2. I have kept DD1 in nursery her 2 days a week during my mat leave which had allowed me through break & 1 on 1 time with baby I needed.