Did having a third change the relationship between your older two?

[maisiedaisy64]

Just as the title says really! DC are 4 and nearly 2 and get on like a house on fire. I’m afraid a third would upset the balance. Hans anyone any experience?

It absolutely does. It means that it's nearly always 2 Vs 1 and someone is left out. Occasionally they all play together really nicely but it's much for usual for them to pair up and one be left out, whereas with two they have each other's back a bit more.

Not as a parent, but as child 2 of 3. ( all girls) It was hell. Sheer hell.

We are fine now, but there is always one left out. My sister wanted a third and I successfully talked her out of it with memories.

DH is one of 3 too, and says the same thing. ( 2 boys, 1 girl).

I have three, DC1 gets on well with both the other two but DC2 and DC3 don't get on so well with each other. They're older teens now but it's always been that way.

Nope. No problems here. They all get on like a house on fire. And they're 18, 16 and 12 now.

Oh, and I'm one of three too. And, while we did bicker as kids, we were fiercely loyal and as adults we don't live in each other's pockets, but when we do all get together we all get on really well.

Maybe just look at the temperament of you own family? An easy going family just chugs on without any drama.

My 3 are amazing together, never had any issues, I would say the opposite, the youngest has bound them all together, ages 10, 16, 19.

A bit (speaking as one of three). I have two younger brothers and was very close to my first brother until the second one came along. Then they left me out. Honestly I don't remember caring a huge amount though!

Thanks!! I’m one of 4 and DH is one of 2, so no direct experience with 3. My sister currently has three and the youngest left out, and DH’s sister has three and one is always left out as well.

I always felt you’d nearly be better with 4, but that’s a lot! Thanks so much for the replies!

Mine are M28 F22 F18. The girls go away to concerts together. Very close for years when younger till son hit about 17. Now The 2 oldest do things in a foursome with partners. They just all booked a Prague trip for instance. All very different. Son very laksidasical and horizontal in life. Middle is probably autistic. All about routine, organisation and schedules. Youngest at uni not a care in the world. Oldest and youngest not great friends but there is a 10yr age gap of course. I imagine it will improve as they age. Mid child is my double in looks and personality and we spend a lot of time together. No big issues with my 3. Im youngest of 5. Husband youngest of 4.

I have quite a big age gap between my first two and my third but I found that having a new baby around has made the older ones much closer to each other. They used to bicker quite a lot and I wonder if being a bit ‘left out’ did them good and united them. They love the little one too- he is five now. My only warning is that you may start to feel sorry for the youngest that they don’t have that sibling bond in the same way and feel like having a fourth!

Nope, no issues here when the 3rd came along. The older 2 were 4 and 3 when the third came along and there was no issues. When the third got old enough the older 2 included her into everything and by then I had a 4th and it started all over again. Now they are all teens they bicker all the time but thats normal.

Go for it. I have 3. Two boys 15,14 and 10 a girl. The first and last are closer. Middle child seems to like to have his space the most. But as his older one is a boy they chat a lot. The 2nd and 3rd still bicker a bit