Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

Original poster

Does a big age gap (7-9 years) between 2 siblings and a baby work ?

9 replies

LADYBOAK · 03/02/2011 13:35

I have 2 dcs, 4 and 7 and I have decided lately that I would like to have another one in 2 or 3 years time when I'm in better financial place, our own house etc..Do you have any experience of that ?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

bidibidi · 03/02/2011 16:49

Not me, but friends have done it a lot.
Guaranteed teenage babysitters, what's not to like? :)

Original poster

LADYBOAK · 03/02/2011 16:57

But financially, it must be really expensive as well !!!

OP posts:

rickymummy · 03/02/2011 18:14

I was 8, and my sister was 6 when our baby brother was born. We loved it, and I know that my Mum loved every second of it. He is 32 now, and getting married this summer, but is still our baby!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General parenting

Simic · 03/02/2011 20:46

I know a lot of people with that kind of constellation - in a lot of ways it´s perfect - the little one learns a lot from the older siblings and they can really help out. But the parents still have loads of time for the baby. Just you have to watch that the family allow him/her to grow up ... I know cases where that has been a bit harder for the "little one" - but I know lots of cases where it´s been no problem at all.

roundthehouses · 03/02/2011 20:56

I was 7 and my older sister almost 10 when my little sister was born. I think its fine, you definitely get the free babysitting and lots of help from the older ones in general. Its probably worst for the parents because it prolongs them getting all the kids out of the house, when my older sister and I moved out little sis was only starting secondary school. I think in many ways she felt like an only child, was/is definitely "The baby" and has always been very spoiled, materially. But it is what it is and you just accept things as they are, right?

skybluepearl · 03/02/2011 22:10

I have a 5 and 7 year gap - works wonderfully!

Fantail · 04/02/2011 08:14

I am 8 years older than my brother and my sister 5. It did mean by the time he was 10, he was virtually an only child, which suited him.

He has never been spoiled, but did benefit in his teenage years from having a lot of quality time with Mum and Dad. He also has two sisters who can offer grown-up advice when needed. My friends (and my sister's) used to comment how mature he was and able to contribute to adult conversations.

Whether it has anything to do with family placement, I don't know, but he is the most intelligent of the 3 of us.

Firawla · 04/02/2011 08:47

i have 2 brothers 9 and 6 yrs older and it worked out fine, also my dh has about 7 yrs between each of them and there are 3 of them, seemed to work out ok. i think whatever gap you have it will be fine really

SnapFish · 04/02/2011 08:53

My elder two were 9 and 11 when I had dc3. I was worried about the gap at first but it has been brilliant. They adore their sister and always find time to play with her. Because they are older they have lots of patience with her too.

Flip