Age difference between children

[magoo]

Another thread here got me wondering what you think is a good age difference between kids. Why? Are you happy with the spacing of your children (if you have more than one)? What are the positives and negatives?

Sarah

[Dawnie]

What I think and what I did are two different things! :lol: After we had Victoria we knew we wanted at least one more child and we had planned to start TTC when she was about 1.5 to 2 years old. (We wanted them spaced at least 2 years apart.) Right now my children are to close in age for my liking.

Victoria is only 14 months older than Alex. Victoria and him got along fine until he started crawling and could touch HER toys. She doesn't really understand sharing yet although we are trying like heck. She tries to play to rough with him now that he's crawling and trying to walk too.

Alex is only 10.5 months older than Lauren and is WAY to young to understand that Lauren is not a doll or toy and needs to be handled with care. He get mad when we won't let him get to close but trying to talk to him to get him to understand is just a waste of breath.

Victoria and Lauren are exactly 2 years apart and that seems to be working out great. Victoria has her moments but she knows that she has to be easy with the baby. Victoria will also be old enough to understand sharing once Lauren starts becoming mobile.

I'm hoping that as they get older their closeness in age will be a good thing and they will be friends but right now it's challenging.

Dawn

[Nocona]

I only have one right now, but we plan to have #2 almost exactly 3 years after Matthew was born. From everything I've read/seen with my own eyes, I think that's going to be a good spread for us. I am also going for only 1 in diapers at a time :aok:

[kim]

i'm pg now and tony will be 2.5 when #2 gets here. it sounds like a good age difference....we shall see.

we tried to get pg last summer and it didn't work out, and actually now i'm glad. if i was expecting or had a newborn right now i'm not sure i could function.

[magoo]

I am thinking that ideally, Anna will be 3 or 3.5 when #2 is born. So many of my playgroup buddies are getting pg again now, and there are so many 2 in 2 moms here and on UB... I sometimes feel like I'm weird for wanting a bigger age spread. My sisters are 8 and 5 years older than me, so I guess I think that bigger age differences are normal.

Sarah

[Brooke]

I sometimes feel like I'm weird for wanting a bigger age spread.
Join the club! We seem to be the minority around here!

I'm not sure what I think is ideal. I had thought 2.5-3 years was good but now I'm not even interested in trying to have another so our spacing will be more.

My sister and I are 3 years and 2 months apart.

[Dennis]

Joe and Frances are 21 months apart, and we like it. I like that we didn't get totally out of all the baby stuff like diapers and bottles before Frances came. I couldn't imagine being completely done with all the baby stuff and then starting all over again. This way it's just continuous and then we're done.

Also, when they are older it will be easier to find things they both enjoy since they are closer in age. With a 4 or 5 year spread, it's hard to plan outings or vacations with activities that say a 12 year old and a 7 year old will both enjoy.

This is what we felt was best for us, obviously every family is different and you need to what you feel is best for your family.

Dennis

[Lora]

Christopher and Patrick are 19 months apart. We started TTC again when Christopher was 10 months thinking that it might take a few months so that they would be about 2 years apart. It didn't take long because we conceived Patrick that very first month. I'll admit it was challenging having them so close together in the beginning and still is at times. However, I am very happy that we made the decision to have them this close especially since they are both boys. They are starting to play together now at 2 1/2 and almost 1 year. I hope that they grow up not only as brothers but best friends as well. Looking back I don't think I would have done anything differently!

Lora

[Bev]

I would have said 2 years, but that didn't really work out for me, so I will say 3 years and hope that works out. :) Of course, I am 10-15 years older than most people here, so my age plays a part in that. Tick, tick, tick. :)

BTW Kim Congratulations! :jump:

[~Andrea~]

I am hoping for 2-3 years apart. I'm hoping that is good :lol:

My GF has 4 kids with varrying age differences (they are 9 months, 5, 61/2, and 91/2). She said they all have their pluses and minuses.

[jstauffer]

Mine are 20 months apart. I think it's a little closer than *ideal*. But, you know I don't really know if there is an *ideal*. At the moment I think closer to 2-1/2 to 3 years would be better because you could conceivably get potty training over with with #1 before #2 arrives. But then maybe it's better to have them closer together because it's easier for #1 in that they don't remember life without #2.

[Shanna]

My son and the twins are 15 months apart.... I would've waited longer, had we been actually planning on the twins :blush: But so far, they're not too bad. Three under 2 is a bit crazy, but we manage :)

[Ausmaree]

My daughter and my baby are 7 years, 2 months apart. It's good in a way because my daughter can generally look after herself (ie give herself a shower, get ready for school, etc). But I have found it really difficult co-ordinating their routines. For example, my daughter has after school activities she participates in, and it's been hard getting out of the house on time with a newborn baby. I think with time I will get used to it.

[LoriS]

My girls are five days short of 3 years apart. I always said I would have a 3 year difference, and I got it. Courntey is only 5 months old, but so far I love the age difference. I think ther are close enough to be friends, and far enough apart to have their own lives. I guess we will see as time goes on.

[Marcella]

If I had the luxury of being younger, I ideally would have liked to wait until Amelia was 2 years old before TTC #2, thus making them about 3 years apart. However, because of my age and the fact we're hoping for 3 children total, we're going to TTC soon, so I may end up with two in two years (Amelia is just over 9 months old now). And my guess is that if all goes well, we'll try for #3 when #2 is about a year old.

[Jayne]

My son and daughter are 6 1/2 years apart. Tylor will be 9 in May and Alyssa is 26 mo. I think they are a great age apart. I know that sounds crazy but in many ways I am glad that they have their age difference. Tylor wasn't really sure what to do with his baby sister at first but once she started to get mobile he fell in love and hasn't looked back. He looks after her, helps tuck her in bed, Just everything I could ever want for him to be as a big brother he has become. He even reads to her which really melts my heart. I am not planning on waiting another 4 years before we try again but I believe it will be sometime next year or the following.

A good thing about the spread is the fact that I have a lot of time to bond with each child and the older does not get Jeluous at all because he is old enough to understand that his baby sister needs attention. He loves to have her come watch him play Soccer and she loves helping out with his team. I don't seem to have any trouble with them and conflicting schedules..and I don't anticipate having much trouble in the future.

Another Great thing about the age difference is that hopefully I won't have 2 in college at the same time and we will be able to manage that when the time comes.
Jayne

[bunybomb]

Mine are 8 years part and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Kate]

Cameron and Peanut will be 29 months apart. I think that will be a good age difference. I am hoping that by the end of summer Cam will be potty trained. Also, Cameron is semi-self effcient. He knows where his snacks are (fruit bowl, animal crackers, etc.) He does not need to be entertained constantly and he is very good at playing independently. Also, he won't remember not having his little brother around.