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Parenting

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Original poster

5.5 year gap between siblings

30 replies

AnxiousFish · 21/06/2022 09:46

Does anyone have experience to share of a 5.5-6 year gap between siblings?

DH and I have one DC (4) and have had two miscarriages while trying for a second. We are trying to decide whether to try again, possibly towards the end of the year.

I would love to know what's good (and not so good) about a gap of this size if anyone can share?

Thank you!

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Squashedraddish · 21/06/2022 22:21

carefullycourageous · 21/06/2022 22:17

This is a good gap, the bigger the gap the better really in terms of adjustment. Absolute worst gap is 3 years I remember reading.

Mine are 3 years apart and they argue all the bloody time so there might be something in that 😂

Ballyally · 21/06/2022 22:38

There's 5.5 years between DS and DD which is a bigger gap than we wanted, but has worked out brilliantly. As pp have said, they dote on each other. DS is so helpful and always checking shes ok whilst DD is always looking for her big brother to play with and looks up to him already. When DD was born (just as the 1st lock down happened) we bought a present from her to him and that went a long way. They don't have a lot in common toy wise or tv shows but one is always willing to compromise for the other. DS will voluntarily read the bedtime stories which is lovely to hear. It's honestly not what I had planned but is brilliant! Might be a different story in the future but right now, they have an amazing relationship and I wouldn't want it any other way

RandomMess · 21/06/2022 23:04

5.5 gap between my eldest two.

It was my hardest gap - 24 months then 2 years were easier.

The eldest is 23 now and it's great she's like a 2nd but trendy, play it straight Mum.

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Aria2015 · 21/06/2022 23:17

We have a 5 year 2 month gap. We had miscarriages too which widened the gap we were aiming for. There's been loads of pros. Oldest was independent enough that taking care of a newborn and older child was quite easy. Also, because older child was at school, my maternity leave felt like first time around - just one baby to focus on most of the day. Downsides were juggling things like homework and a baby and also my oldest can remember life pre baby and is quite vocal of the downsides! But as my youngest gets older they definitely have moments of enjoying each other. In my experience, children will play with whoever is available, even if they're quite a bit younger / older. My two make do with each other and find fun.

I have 5 years between me and one of my siblings, and we weren't super close growing up but we are now, so it's definitely definitely not too big a gap for closeness. Have an even older sibling (9 years) too who I'm also close to.

Everyone's different but, try not to worry too much. The best reason to have a baby is because you want one. There's never any guarantees that siblings will connect regardless of the age gap.

bellamountain · 21/06/2022 23:21

It's not a problem OP, it will be harder for you having to go back to the baby stage again but the sibling gap is absolutely not a problem. I have a 5 year gap between mine due to 3 miscarriages but they absolutely adore each other. My eldest would have been extremely hard work with a smaller gap.

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