Age Gaps

[minidash]

Tell me about your age gaps! I've just found out I'm pregnant with number 2, DD will be 25 months when baby arrives

Not sure larger families is the appropriate place for this thread. 2 yrs between children is notoriously the most difficult age gap to manage

@Corner13 not sure that's a nice response to someone who is having a 2nd child with that age gap... as if the anxiety isn't enough as it is.

I’ve never heard that. It’s the most common age gap that I know of.
Small enough to limit jealousy, large enough that the older one is sleeping through etc.

I'm having (not through choice) a 9 year age gap! But I think 2 years is fine, my nieces are nearly 2 years apart and adore each other. My brother and I are also 2 years apart and always got on pretty well. It's a good age gap for them to be friends as they're close enough in age to have things in common but I think there's often also some rivalry that may need managing. In my experience, allowing each child to have their own interests and occasional time alone with each parent helps a lot as they feel they're treated as individuals and aren't fighting for attention so much.

Thank you @BiscuitDrama @Starlight39 that helps. My daughter sleeps 12 hours and still naps once in the day. She is very independent and has always been an easy baby - I think it would Be a different story if she wasn't!! ☺️

I have a 14 month age gap. First year was hell on Earth. Now it's not so bad.

2-2.5yrs age gap seems to be the most common age gap going.

The first response you got 🤪🤣

23m age gap here. Yeh it'll be tough but they'll have a friend to Play with.

Routine is very important!

2 year age gaps sounds a bit tough to start with but will then get easier until exam years.
Similar ages will mean similar activities appeal, eg zoos, museums, films etc.
Congratulations.

(We have a 5 year gap.)

from 1 - 2 there is 2yr, 4 m - from 2 -3 there is 20yrs, 20 days and no its not a typo

@minidash don’t ask people to tell you about age gaps if you don’t want to be given any opinions

16 months between my first 2 and i loved it. Just under 4 years between 2 and 3, and just over 4 years between 3 and 4 would have loved c them closer but didnt work that way but they are all close and generally get on really well

Not sure what @Corner13 was getting at.
There are 2 years 5 months between our two. It was a bigger age gap because I had two miscarriages in between, but as it turns out the age gap was perfect. They get on amazingly well, apart from the occasional spat as you would expect. My two adult stepsons are 15 months apart and fought when they were children but are the best of friends now too. It's lovely when they're all here together ♥️

I have 3 boys, 11, 7, 10 months. I also look after my sister's 17 year old, who I really consider my 'other' child. I would say that when people have 2 close together I think they tend to treat the older one too 'grown up'. Like suddenly the 3 year old gets told off, cuddles reduces, expected to be more grown up. I see it so much with my friends, and I want to shout 'they're still babies!'. Xx

@minidash

Thank you *@BiscuitDrama* *@Starlight39* that helps. My daughter sleeps 12 hours and still naps once in the day. She is very independent and has always been an easy baby - I think it would Be a different story if she wasn't!! ☺️

It'll be good because when you go to fairgrounds, both the child can go on rides together. I have to wait with the buggy or younger boy...You can go to Disneyland and it'll be fab!

Invest in a double buggy. Second hand is fine!! A bit of tweaking and napping together brings you a coffee break at least!!
Great that your dd is already in a decent sleeping routine - make allowances when the baby arrives though!! She may become more needy for a time!!
I have gaps of 15 months between dd's and 2 ds's with a 29 month gap.

My first 2 were 2 years apart. It’s a nice gap. Can be a bit difficult at times when both want attention, I found sorting the 2yr old out first worked best for be then could focus on the baby.

We did lots of encouraging and inclusive things with the older one but honestly at 2 there isn’t much jealousy.

They are a bit older now and do lots of things together.

I've also heard that 2 years is the most difficult age gap. Lots of jealousy and they aren't quite in the same stage to do the same thing. People I know who have a 2 year gap with a same sex sibling re invariable NOT close, as they spent their formative years competing for the same toys/attention etc.

Amongst my friends and family 3 years is seen as the ideal gap.

But you are already pregnant OP! You'll be fine, it's a common gap and most people manage! Im sure there will be loads of people coming on to tell you about the benefits

I have this gap but mine are going to be 3 school years apart so no GCSEs and A level results at the same time. It's a pretty common gap and I felt it was a good compromise between having 2 under 2 and struggling in the first year and having too big a gap and having to do separate things for different aged DC.

Obviously no one can really predict which siblings will get on or want to play together.

We have 2 years 9.5 months between the 1st and 2nd. It was difficult for us but the main reason was because our eldest has Aspergers, couldn't speak, his behaviour was at his hardest then we were going through the diagnosis process.

There is 5 years 3 months between our second and third. This was the easiest gap as our two eldest were at school during the day time so I had 1-1 time with baby during the day and then didn't feel guilty spending time with the others after school.

We have a gap of 2 years 9.5 months again between baby 3 and 4 and it's much easier this time, the others try to help out and it's brought a nice balance.

I don't think there is a universal 'right' age gap, it's whatever works for you and your family. I have friends with a 17 month age gap and friends with a 9 year age gap and both see the pros and cons. You will never know different to what your age gap is and you will learn to adapt to it.

I have 4 children, there is 18 months between my eldest two and then 3 years between baby number 2 and baby 3 and then 3 years again between 3 and 4. In my opinion the 18 month age gap was the easiest but that could also be because there was only 2 of them at that point 🤣 x

I had 22 mths between 1 and 2 which was just hard work especially when they were both toddlers.

Then I had a 7yr age gap before dd2 then another 4 year age gap with dd2 and dd3. I preferred the 4 Yr out of them all x

My age gap between my 2 is 3 months off 3 years. I found it really good as the oldest one understands what I'm saying, not in nappies and so found that easy having another baby. Plus not sure about others but there is no jealousy so far. I'd recommend 2 especially as your dd is in such good routine. Let us know! 🙂

14.5 years!!
Due in April with my second little girl, meanwhile her sister is about to start her GCSEs 🤭