Experiences of having just the one child for 7 or 8 years and then a second

[tuckwe]

Can you tell me

How dc1 reacted
What were the pros and cons
Whether you would advise against it or recommend it

I didn't want to wait this long and now I think it might be too late and I would be better off sticking with one child but I have a little voice in my head saying this decision is not reversible and very important ( I'm feeling the pressure as iim at the end of my childbearing years)

7 year age gap between my two children. And I wouldn't have it any other way (truly!).

It was never meant to be such a gap but with miscarriages and complications that's why it was.

There has been no jealousy at all. I have tried my hardest to keep my eldest involved and spend quality time with her. We still do all the things we used to do, but now have a smiley baby next to us.

I go to baby groups and see mums with babies and two year olds and you realise how hard it can sometimes be! (That's the age gap we wanted but like I say, it didn't happen!).

My eldest is so proud to be the "big sister" and totally adores her baby. She is patient, loving and kind.

Having an age gap you realise how things have changed in the years since the first. Advice changes (as it always does!) but some amazing fancy machines about now .

If you feel like you would like another - just do it. Especially if your eldest would like a sibling too! I wouldn't change the age gap between mine even if I could.

I didn't intend to have such a gap but it did make things so much easier. The older one was getting their independence and bonding more with friends and hopefully didn't feel pushed aside for the new baby. It helped that they really wanted a sibling. It's years later now and they get on brilliantly. Also the younger one had some health difficulties and extra needs so the gap meant I could concentrate on their needs a bit more with older one at school.

My gap isn’t quite that big - five years between DC1 and 2 then another five years between DC2 and 3. I heartily recommend it even though it wasn’t planned that way. No sibling jealousy/rivalry ever, each child got a chance of 1:1. Easier financially - I am down to two at home now with only one lot of school fees to pay. I love when we all get together now watching how well they get on.

I am in the same boat so could of wrote this!
I too don’t have how my DS would react. He currently says he doesn’t want an brothers or sisters.

The problem is he doesn’t have many friends round either and I worry he gets bored. I know he wouldn’t play with them as such but he loves responsibility! Who knows. If it happens first can you let me know

I'm 20 weeks pregnant with my second. Except the age gap is 20 years so I'm probably not much help ...But there was 8 years between me and my sister and it was fab. I loved being a big sister! And now that we're both adults the age gap isn't apparent at all and it's great.

We have a 7 year gap, unintentional but it's worked out brilliantly. The younger one is now 2 1/2 and the older 9 and they adore each other. It is lovely if tiring going back to the sleepless nights, nappies and now terrible two's.

10 year age gap between mine and it’s the best. I couldn’t cope with two young children. DD1 also likes to help out which is great and DD2 adores her. I will have a toddler and a teenager though...