Children 5 years apart

[MAMA MOON]

Does anyone have a 5 year age gap between their children?

If so, what is it like? Were they ok with a new sibling?

Did they interact & bond, or are their lives always separate in a way?

 

[Zephram]

Curious about this too as if we have a third DS1 and the new baby would be about 5 years apart.

 

[krissie328]

I'm interested too.

 

[harveygirl]

We have a five year gap. Ds is only 9months and dd is almost six. She completely loves him and he loves her too. He thinks she is so funny. There was no jealousy on her part as she is that bit older. Also she is a great help with him and very caring. We did not plan such a big gap but this is how.it turned out. Their lives are separate in that she is at school etc but she spends lots of time playing with him and entertaining him at home x

 

[Rainbow82]

I don't have kids with a five year gap but there were five years between me and my brothers.
It was great when they were younger I loved helping with them etc but there as too much of a gap for us to play together properly. We didn't really get along when I was a teenager as our lives were just too separate, too much of a gap to be friends but not enough of a gap to be looking after them too much. We get on fine now though.
I would be happy enough to have a five year gap between my kids if it came to it.

 

[k4th]

Dd was 4 and a half when ds was born. Not planned that way... but meant to be.

She loves him so much. She helped out when he was a baby & now he's older she plays with him really well. She also understands better about sharing etc so that works quite nicely. He looks up to her & wants to do what she's doing (which can cause some issues!). She can also supervise him for short periods (e.g. When I want a wee all by myself!!).

It's worked out really well & they do play together, but also have their own things.

I find the hardest thing to manage is keeping ds entertained now he's mobile, whilst dd does her activities. She does swimming lessons, ballet & gymnastics. We can leave her at the last two but swimming can be a nightmare - especially in the changing rooms! But if you have family support to help out, that would make a huge difference! Dd's half hour swimming lesson is the longest half hour of my whole week. I can't watch dd & ds hates sitting still. But it's a phase & it will pass. On the whole I wouldn't change a thing!

 

[sil]

My brother was five years older than me. We lived separate lives growing up due to the age difference, but as adults we have become close and both have kids that get along well. I am glad we had the age gap even though we weren't closer until we were older it's still nice to have an older brother

 

[MAMA MOON]

Thank you!

 

[emyandpotato]

Four year gap here and I'd definitely recommend it. DS1 understood everything from the beginning of pregnancy to now, and was really excited. Adored his little brother from the moment he found out he was coming and there has never been a shred of jealousy. He forgives his little brother being silly, forgives him when he's violent, is very calm with him and always has time for him. They play together still, just probably in a different way to if there was a two year gap. It's still absolutely lovely though. For me it has been easier, cos eldest doesn't need as much attention and is at school, giving me time for toddler groups etc.

 

[Flip flop]

I'm interested too

 

[Babybump87]

Curious about this too as if we have a third DS1 and the new baby would be about 5 years apart.

This is the similiar situation as me. I already have two little girls. Aged nearly 4 and 1 year old.

 

[gingajewel]

There is a six year age gap between my two girls and it is honestly lovely! My eldest loves been with her little sister and plays lovely with her.
Right from the beginning we got my eldest involved and she loves her little sister.
I thought it would be hard but it really is a lovely age gap and as my eldest is at school I get time with my little one as well. You can explain things to a child that is older and they are more accepting of a changing situation.

 

[MindUtopia]

This is all really good to hear. We'll have about a 5 year age gap if all goes well. We planned it this way as I needed to finish up a postgrad degree and get a bit further in my career, plus we had some travel to do this year, but we also really wanted our daughter out of nursery and into school before I went on maternity leave again. I can see how it would be an ideal gap. Ours is just turning 4 now and is pretty helpful, really interested in babies, understands pregnancy and birth and is really curious. It would have been a lot harder a year or two ago as she just wouldn't have understood. I also like the idea of her being in school already so I can have the same sort of one on one time with a new baby that I had with her, but also makes it easy to have me on maternity to do the school run for a bit and get some time with both of them while I'm home.

 

[cupcake.]

There is about 4 1/2 years between my older sister and my younger sister and we all got along great during our childhood. We played together a lot, there was no difference between say me and my little sister (3 year gap) and my older sister and her. And honestly my older sister and I are only 1 1/2 years apart so when we pretty much hit puberty at the same time it was really tough at times, my sisters never had that problem between them. Now as adults we still all get along great, there's no difference who gets along better.

Also my cousin is about 6 years younger than me but we always played together as well, had lots of sleepovers.

I think a 5 year age gap can be really lovely. OH and I are probably going to go for a 4 year gap for our second!

 

[pompeyvix]

This thread has been reassuring as I am about to have a baby boy , so there will be a 4 year 4 month age gap between my two. My daughter is independent in the sense she can get dressed, brush her teeth, go to the toilet, feed herself etc, so that means she doesn't me so much to do the basics. She is also naturally a very caring and kind girl and she is excited to be able to help me with her brother. She starts school in September which will work out well as I can get her settled into school whilst on maternity leave as well as giving me chance to have proper 1:1 time with the baby.

This age gap was not originally planned, but now I can only see positives.

 

[MAMA MOON]

Yes, very reassuring. Thank you!

 

[upsy daisy1]

My first was closer to 6 wen my second was born.she was a little jealous but lived her new baby sister.she just needed lots of hugs amd reassurance.. but soon realised how great her sister is and now they play together all the time.they are the cutest to watch when playing together. Love each other to bits. I think it's a great age gap x