What age gap is between your kids?

[ScrubMommy21]

And do you think it’s made parenting on a whole harder/easier?

I ask just out of curiosity. Me and DP due our first in just over 2 months and we’re so excited! I’ve loved pregnancy and I’m excited to be a mother. Ideally, I’d love to have multiple children I hope we am lucky enough to do so!

In my head, I would like 2 close-ish in age (18 months apart and then years after that see if we could/would like a few more children!

I see this as I’d like 2 minimum so if we didn’t want anymore we could just have our lovely 2 close in age, the hard days are all mashed together and then as the kids get older etc it becomes easier (please inform me if I’m wrong)

But please share your experiences below :)

I have 54 weeks between mine! Having a newborn and a non-walking 1yo was a challenge but I wouldn’t change it. They are now 3 and 4 and so close.

It’s definitely becoming easier in some ways now they’re older eg logistically - we don’t need tandem pram now and it’s not such a military exercise leaving the house! However 3yo thinks he is the same age as 4yo and gets frustrated when he can’t do the same things.

5 years between DC1 and 2. 2 years between DC2 and 3
I found the 5 year gap much easier as DC1 was at school by the time DC2 was born. Also meant there was less jealousy between 1 and 2 than between 2 and 3 because they were in totally different stages of life so there was no ‘competition’ IYSWIM

2 years and 8 months between our two children. I personally would not have liked a smaller age gap and I didn't want more than two.

By chance it's worked out well for us as due to birth months we won't have two children in University (with all the cost that entails) at the same time.

4 years. DD was about to start her summer holidays when DS was born (which was hard!), then she went into Reception in the September and it was nice for me to have time with just DS, like I did when DD was a baby. Unfortunately then I had Mum Guilt that I was "getting rid" of my PFB Luckily she loved/loves school and I don't think she felt pushed out at all.

They're 7 and 3 now and some moments are beautiful, some are awful. Not sure if that's the age gap or just my kids, though! For the most part, I don't think I'd change it if I could.

2 minutes as we have ID twins! I know that's not helpful, sorry....

16 months between DC1 & DC2.
Then 2yr 10m between DC2 & DC3.
I found the smaller age gap easier in all honesty. By the time DC3 was born, DC1 was going through quite a difficult stage emotionally with starting primary school etc, and DC2 was in that delightful terrible 2’s/threenager stage. It’s been a lot!!
But I feel like we are just coming out the other side of the craziness (they are now 6, almost 5 and 2) and I feel like I’m enjoying them more as little people now rather than feeling like I’m being swallowed by the constant bombardment of baby/toddler wants and needs.
I’m glad I’ve had them so close together though. I figure I’m getting the very full on years of neediness and them being wholly dependant on me out of the way in one fell swoop

We tried for the first one for eleven years.

Then I had an ectopic pregnancy.

I lost the baby and a tube and an ovary.

Then I got pregnant. Unbelievable ! Then I got pregnant again and then it happened again. There is about 18 months between all three children.

If I had been able to conceive when I wanted to I would have probably waited for longer before getting pregnant again and enjoyed each baby more, but time was not on my side.

4y 3m. We’d originally thought we’d like around three years’ gap but DS was a handful baby and toddler and once things got easier we enjoyed a bit of time to enjoy ourselves before doing it all again! Although I can definitely see the pros of it, I never really wanted two close together. I’ve enjoyed the fact that DS was fairly self sufficient when DD came along and wouldn’t have done it any differently. Although my friend who had her boys 18 months apart would say the same - it was tough when they were both small but now they’re primary age they entertain each other really well. Good luck with the baby!

14 months- is actually really good! They have the same interests and love to play together. Like same tv programmes, days out, bedtime stories etc

13 years between mine! It has been like having two only children. They have a lovely relationship though, despite DD being disgusted when DS arrived 😆. They are now 10 and 23. DD was also an excellent and willing babysitter until she left home. They chat daily on "hangouts" too. It's worked for me and I wouldn't change it.

4yrs 4 mth . Absolutely it made it easier .

8.5 years. Very easy- the second baby easily slotted into what we were doing with the eldest, and then when the younger one needed to be taken out for activities, etc, the oldest was already quite indepedent. And no need for a babysitter when eldest is old enough.

Closest gap is just under 14 months. Once had 3 in just over 3 years!!
Close together was easier than the 2.9 gaps.

5.5 years
14 months
23 months

The smallest gap was my favourite over all but the baby has silent reflux so that was a hideous 8 months of screaming and no sleep and it nearly broke us. Once that passed I loved it.

12 months. They are currently 3y9m and 4y9m. It's considerably easier than it was but it's been a crazy few years

21 months but only one school year apart. It has made nursery/school drop offs very easy logistically! Plus they are not too different in interests so easy for age appropriate days out

5 yrs between mine as my first put me off haha, she was a real cryer and an emotional rollercoaster, then my second was so easy and laid back, my first is 21 now and am very proud of her, and my second is 16 soon and he is a cheeky loving boy

17 month gap and it’s been very full on but brilliant (now nearly 2.5 and 12 months old). I’ve always said to my husband that it’s great having 2 kids that still nap. Currently both sleep for 2 hours in the afternoon and it’s great for catch up/to drink a coffee.

Plan on having a gap of 2-2.5 years between one year old and next baby, all going well.

2 years & 8 months between mine, my son turns 3 next month and my daughter is 3 months old

18 months between my first two, then 2 years and 7 between second and third.

The 18 month gap was difficult for the first year and now actually the best thing ever-they actually want to be twins (at 5 and 3) and love doing everything together. They are a bit put out if the other isn't around for some reason.

The 2years and 7 month gap (4years between eldest to youngest) was definitely easier in the beginning (you can bribe them and distract them more and they can help a bit more) but definitely a different relationship. It's very much younger sister rather than equal play mate sort of thing so they're looking out for her more or being patient because she's younger rather than your on their level. But that could change with as they get older.

3 yrs. Longer than originally planned due to me having a miscarriage but it worked out really well as the oldest was independent enough to get her self a snack, new toy and happily taking herself to the toilet for a long time before the baby arrived.

4 years, more than we planned but it worked out pretty well and I’d recommend it,

3yrs and 3 months- worked beautifully for us, close enough to play and both watch CBeebies etc- but eldest has good communication and can dress herself, use the loo, get her own snack etc

3.5 years between them.

I thought it was the perfect gap, as ds was starting nursery when dd was born.