5 year sibling gap

[Idreamof2more]

Hi, just found out we are pregnant with baby number three. We already have 1 ds age 15, 1 ds age 4. We would have had another 2 years ago but been a rocky road with 3 loses. There will be a 5 year gap between number 2 and 3. Any positive experiences of this? My first and second are worlds apart and my eldest wants barely anything to do with my second. So heartbreaking. My partner seems to think it will be like having 3 only children?? Xx

I’ve got 2 sisters, one is 2 years younger than me and the other is 5 years younger. I get on with both now I’m an adult but growing up I couldn’t stand my sister with the 2 year gap, I was way more into hanging around with my youngest sister. 5 years is a good gap I’d say! 🙂

I have a five year gap. They are 1 and 6 now.

It wasn't planned as we started trying when DD was just shy of 2 but needed IVF to conceive DS! I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. DD is the most caring, loving big sister. She adapted well to DS being in our life, even with Covid happening and her being home from school. I didnt have to worry about her being left alone while I sorted the baby/fed the baby/put him down for a nap, she's always wanting to ' help ', be it getting a nappy or entertaining him while I make dinner.

I have a 5 year age gap (not through choice- fertility treatment) aged 11 & 16.
They get on really well dc1 is very protective and involved. It goes in phases where they have overlapping interests/watch the same programmes - definitely got closer as they've grown up. Youngest idolises eldest but understands need to respect space too.

I have 3 DC. A 2 year gap between the oldest and a nearly 5 year gap to the youngest. I love the 5 year gap!

@Schoolhouse123 @Missmonkeypenny @noscoobydoodle @Piccalily19 ladies thank you so much you have all made me feel so much better. My youngest seems so alone and I just pray this baby will give him a closer sibling relationship that he so deserves and craves. 💓💙

I have a 6 year gap with my two, they have a great bond and film YouTube videos together 😄 they're 9 and 15 now

When my youngest sister was born I was 12 and my brothers were 9 and 6. She had the loveliest childhood being spoilt rotten and always had someone that would play with her. We are best friends despite the 12 year gap! :)

There’s 6.5 yrs between my 2 and the eldest adored the little one From the moment he was born. Now they’re 4&10 and they really play together. They have their own rooms which helps when DS1 needs his space. I think they’ll be close as they get older. I think 5 years is lovely, he can be the “big sibling” but still be friends ❤️

I think it is a lovely age gap.

There was a thread about this age gap very recently that I answered- you might find it useful. Hope I've shared the link properly!?

What is it like with kids who have an age gap of 5-6 years between them? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4131833-what-is-it-like-with-kids-who-have-an-age-gap-of-5-6-years-between-them

Congrats on your pregnancy! My brother is 6 years older, we got on famously as kids. Less so in our teens (he left home to go to university). Friends again in our 20s. Age difference made no difference by the time we hit 30.
We weren't close as kids, but we got on well and played together well.

Five years is fine, means you are past the annoying selfish toddler phase and easier to give both kids attention when one is in school (assuming no lockdown homeschooling!)

I have 4y10m between my two. It is a lovely gap and they get on very well - small age gaps also have their problems and can lead to a lot of competitiveness and arguments between siblings IME. 4-5 years is a very common gap between DC1 and DC3 in three-child families and nobody ever seems especially concerned by it.

There is a four-year gap between my sister and me and we are very close. There is a twenty month gap between DH and his sibling and they are not.

We have 4.5 years. The best thing is that the older DC was at school during the day so I got to do baby groups again (til COVID anyway!) and naps or TV on the sofa when baby was napping. Also having quiet time just the two of us and my full attention, like her sister had.

One of my son's was 17 when his little brother was born, he is closer to him than the brother with a 2 year gap although they were very close as children. I was told by both teenage sons that a baby in the house was a big plus with inviting girls round, come and see the baby was apparently a better line than come up and see my etchings. We did have several teenage girls come round and they were all lovely.

I don't think there is a rule about gaps, I'm the middle child and not terribly close to my older or younger sibling and never was. They are very close. My GSs have a 2 year gap and hate each other, the fighting is horrendous and now they are teenagers it can be scary. My other GS and his sister also have a 2 year gap and love each other to bits. I'm not sure what the magic is.

Not my personal experience, but my husband and his brother have a 5 year gap. They’ve always been the best of friends.

To each and everyone that has commented i can’t express how appreciative I am. You’ve made me feel excited. 💙💓