What is the best age gap you have?

[VictorianSqualor]

We have DD(7.8) DS1(3.7) and DS2(14weeks)

We definitely want a fourth, I'm thinking age gap with DS1&2 should have been either smaller or larger, as DS1 doesn't start nursery til sept and has felt quite pushed out.
DD was already at nursery.

However, I don't want to wait another 4 years, and don't want to have to have two babies in buggies/cot etc, prefer DS2 to be walking and able to go into a bed.

What experiences do you have with an age-gap of around 18months? This would mean ttc in the new year which suits us fine.

[juuule]

After 8 m/c I took whatever happened.
Age gaps ranged from 15m to 3y4m. All fine
Just go for it when you feel ready.

[misscutandstick]

i think i read somewhere the national average was 19mths.

Mine are 15y, 10y, 9, 3, 2. theres a 5yr gap (far too big), a 16mth gap (hard work, but they are incredibly good friends), and a 12mths3wks... it would be a good gap i think but the 3yr old is the size of a 5yr old and the 2yr old is the size and development of a 12mth old (FTT & GDD & PDD-NOS) - so they dont play at all well together . i think go for it - there is no magical age!

[Nemoandthefishes]

BLS sorry to hear about dhs friends wife it is sad when someone so young dies especially with young kiddies..

Jaamy ohh you didnt mention jetting off for a week and here is me feeling sorry for you Will definetly be coming to stay at some point or a few..lol Have informed hubby and A overheard me and asked if we were going tonight..hubby also suggested we need another night out together soon!!

Ambi welcome to the thread as jaamy said most of this lot are either trying for or already with child!! I have 3 already myself who are 4,2 and 1 keep me on my toes but I would gladly have another although put it on hold at the min due to 'issues'

MD can meet up in the day although am skint until wed if wanted a soft play or the like...

[ByTheSea]

I think a lot depends on gender and child's distinct personality, but within my four DC I have a one-year gap, a 2.4 year gap, a 2.11 year gap, a 3.4 gap, a 5.3 year gap and a 6.3 year gap. The gaps which hover at about three years seem to work best in my family.

[Nemoandthefishes]

what is going with my posts I wrote the other one on meet ups yesterday

[CarGirl]

I have gaps of 5.5 years 14 months and 2 years.

TBH the 14 month gap is the best in our family (they are all girls)

[catweazle]

The best gap we have is 15.5 years

Seriously the other gaps are 19 mo, exactly 2 years and 2 years 1 week.

(other gaps within these 4 are 3.5 years, 4 years, 5.5 years)

The 19 mo gap was hell. DD1 resented DS1 from day 1 and had to be watched like a hawk that she didn't attack him. She was too little to walk anywhere but wanted to. We had 2 in nappies forever. She was just too dependant herself to have another baby taking up my time.

The others didn't seem too bad when each new one came along, although each had a "pushing down the stairs" type incident when the next reached about a year

I think it really depends on the personalities.

The 5.5 years between No 1 and No 4 were ideal. He was her plaything and no resentment at all. The worst was between No 1 and No 3 because they were similar in temperament and both wanted to be top dog.

[alysonpeaches]

4 years. No doubts.

2 years is the worst.

[pedilia]

I have an 18 nmonth gap between DD3 and DD4 and it is very hard work!

For me the ideal gap was 4 years, that is the difference between DS1 and DS2

[deste]

I had an unplanned gap of 8.5 years, it was wonderful. They are now 30 and 22 and are still very close although youngest lives at the other end of the country.

[NotAnOtter]

2,2,6,3,2.5

6 and 3 were a doddle but not th closest of siblings

closer gaps are harder but do pay dividends

[pinkbubbleGUM]

TBH, I don't think it matters what the age gap is between siblings.

The difference between mine are as follows

Between DD1 and DD2 = 3 yrs and 4 months

Between DD2 and DD3 = 2 yrs and 6 months

Now, DD1 and DD2 hate each other - well , more or less.

DD2 and DD3 idolise each other, always together.

DD1 and DD3 really like each other and get on well.

I personally think its down to the individual child and not necessary the age gap between children.

[qumquat]

I think people are often too negative about big age gaps, I am 7 years younger than my sister and we have always been incredibly close and got on brilliantly, my friends with siblings close to them in age seemed to spend their lives rowing! No dc's yet so can't comment from a mum's perspective . . .

[Sorrento]

I'd say 4 years or 22 months (get pregnant on the baby's first birthday).

[notagrannyyet]

19mths, 3y 10m, 7y 9m, 2y 2m, 18m.

Nearly 8 years gap between DC3 & DC4 was probably the hardest for me. Going back to nappies/pushchairs etc. Eldest 3 adoured their baby brother and didn't seem to mind missing out on trips out etc. for the first few months.

The other gaps were fine. It was exhausing when I first brough No6 home.I had,

A new born
18 mth old
3 year old
11 year old (always felt he was the one to
miss out on some things .
DD doing GCSEs
DS1 doing A levels

[notagrannyyet]

That should be adored (I think!)