Please tell me about your 3 yr age gap...

[IWillOnlyEatBeans]

I have just found out that I am pregnant with DC2.

DS will be almost three when he/she is born.

I'd love to hear happy stories about siblings with 3-year age gaps as I am currently terrified (DC2 a bit of a surprise!)

3 years is great in terms of managing the baby-days. The older one probably sleeps through, probably is potty-trained, probably does some sessions at preschool, and can understand "wait" (probably!).

As to how well they get on with each other - thats down to personality more than age-gap. I have 2y10m gaps twice. But dc1 is very mature for age, dc2 very immature and then dc3 quite mature. So it feels as though I have an older one and two little ones even though they are equally spaced. The younger two play well together and want to do the same kinds of things, and I have to make sure I take the eldest off to do different stuff with me occasionally.

Mine are now 9 and 6, I think it is a fabulous age gap. We actually planned it that way.

They are the best of friends and the worst of enemies they fight about 10% of the time, play beautifully together even though they have very different personalities.

I found it easier because ds1 was just about potty trained when ds2 was born, was old enough to understand lots of things like babies needing lots of sleep and the need for quiet play. They also don't climb on top of the baby and understand the need to be gentle. I taught him gentle cuddling etc with his teddy bear so he knew how gentle he would need to be for his baby brother.

One thing I really made sure of was if ds1 had to wait whilst I fed ds2 then ds2 would sometimes also be told by me that I was in the middle of helping ds1 with something and I would be there in a minute.

Clearly ds2 was a baby but I did it for ds1's benefit. He leant that they were both important and had to take turns as there was only one of me.

Congratulations by the way.