Big age gaps: good for parents bad for kids?

[Popparoo]

I am thinking of having a second child at some point in the future - my first is 3 and a half now. I have been told that large age gaps between children are easy on the parents but hard on the kids - does anyone have any thoughts this one?

I agree with Lindy that there are pros and cons for both big and small age gaps. Mine are 15,11 and 5 and while i've found that the gaps between them are good in that I've had more time to give each of them individual attention as a baby, there are disadvantages as well such as the 'young child' stage seeming to last forever and that fact that it is very difficult on days out/holidays to find things that all three will enjoy. Often we'll end up doing separate things and then meeting up later. This isn't a huge problem but sometimes i think it would be nice if they were near enough in age to appreciate the same sort of activities. I was heartened to hear what you were saying though, janh, about your four now enjoying doing stuff together so maybe now that ds is five, things will improve. Here's hoping!
As to the squabbling/fighting bit, I think this is just down to personality. My three fight like cats and dogs ,espcially the girls who are the two oldest (although their brother isn't afraid to join in either when he feels like it) but I can remember being exactly the same with my three brothers and there's only 6 1/2 years between the four of us.

I've got one brother 6.5 years younger. Apparently, when my Mum told me she was pregnant, I was really, really happy (having wanted a sibling for ages). I can remember always wanting him to grow up quicker so that we could play better. Of course, it never happened! We always got on quite well, but I do think the age gap was just too big. The effects of it have only now begun to wear off as he nears his 30's.

Also the effects of a big age gap can go on into the next generation ie my brother has no children yet and so my kids have no cousins near in age to them (dh's siblings have no children either).