Age gap concerns

[WhatTheHeartWants]

Hello!
I'm expecting my third DC in April...somewhat of a surprise but we are excited! We already have DD and DS aged 6&4 and they get along brilliantly. There is going to be an almost 5 year age gap between DS and new baby and I'm really worried that he/she is always going to be sidelined by the other 2. I'm interested to hear from others with a similar family set up so I know what I might be able to expect! I've heard lots of people talk about the third one fitting into family life easily but I think they are maybe referring to smaller age gaps? My OH is concerned I will want a fourth DC to balance things back out and give the new DC a play mate 🥴

I can’t see what the issue is. My dp and his younger sister have a 3 year age gap and then a brother came along 5.5 years after. They’re all really close. His sister played with both brothers even with the age gaps.

All my dc are close together.. Gap at the end of 6 years!! They are so close. Ds was so involved I was surprised! He adores ds and still does at 6 +12.
They share a room at both their request!

Hello,

Really just posting to give some moral support. I’m due my third in May 2021. My DS will be 8 and my DD will be 5 when baby arrives so a slightly bigger gap than you.

I’ve had all sorts of worries and although after years of sitting on the fence wondering if to try for a third now it’s happened so fast I’ve had a lot of worries (you may see my post). Everyone who’s replied has assured me the age gap is fine, women with older children too and it seems we may be lucky with the older children at school / nursery we will have an easier time just being able to focus on baby in the day.

My nephew is 2 with an older sister age 6 and brother 8. The older siblings love him, he always goes to his older brother and they involve him in all their games. I guess once they get that bit older and can join in the age gap isn’t so bad. It looks like a nice set up to me, and mum gets time to focus on little one in the day. They do so much as a family too, camping, canoeing, cycling, I don’t know how they do it all but little one doesn’t hold them back.

Ah thanks this is all very reassuring! I understand that there are far bigger problems in the world but it's just something that been bothering me. I do have an image of my older 2 being very involved with the new baby but I didn't know if I was just having a romantic view of it all! Good luck with your new little one! I'm due in April 21 so a littler further along than you but sounds like we have very similar concerns!

Why are you worried about the 5 year age gap and not the 7 year age gap?

I have almost exactly 5 years between my first and my third and it’s fine.

I have 4, theyre 19, 10, 9 and 1. In an ideal world #4 would have arrived a few years earlier but his sisters dote on him.

He has fitted in around the others and I generally think they just have to if you have school runs and clubs, and it's absolutely lovely to have him to myself in the day again now they're back at school.

Congrats

PotteringAlong - I am worried about the age gap in general. I wasn't meaning specifically the 5 year gap just the gap between my older 2 and the new one is what I meant.

@WhatTheHeartWants

PotteringAlong - I am worried about the age gap in general. I wasn't meaning specifically the 5 year gap just the gap between my older 2 and the new one is what I meant.

I have 4 children and 5 years between My 3rd and 4th and my oldest 3 enjoys playing with the little brother and I also enjoyed being pregnant with my 4th doing things / shopping while the older children were at school. My 3rd even shares the bedroom with her little brother. Also after sleepless night with the baby was good to drop them at school at have few hours to nap with the baby. My friend had a baby 3 months ago and her boys are aged 11 & 7 and really enjoying time with the baby and the boys love their baby brother. Congrats