OT: Age difference between your children

[goofy4wdw2]

For those who don't mind sharing, what are the age differences between your children? Any pros or cons you'd like to share from your own experience? Things you've enjoyed or haven't enjoyed about those particular age differences? Thank you!

[mamaminnie]

Mine are 4 years apart. I think it's the perfect age difference, of course YMMV.

[beattyfamily]

Ours are two girls that are 3 years apart. I wanted them close in age but not too close so maybe between 2 and 4 years but it worked out to be 3 years apart.

I didn't want them too many years apart as I am with my sibblings. I felt like we weren't as close due the many years we had between us.

[HelenePA]

First 2 are 22 months apart and like twins... I waited (okay ds was unplanned) WAYYY too long to have #3 (almost 3 years between #2 and #3). If I knew then what I know now.. he would have been planned and tried for when dd#2 was a year old. I do want #4 down the road even tho it goes against everything I just said. But we can't afford another child right now as much as I would want one :( Hopefull by the time he's in school we'll be able to try try try again ;)

[murcor]

11 months apart, and I would do it all over in a heartbeat. They are very close and I hope that they will always be close.

(mind you it was very hectic at times when they where babies)

[girlsx4]

I have 4 girls. The first 2 are 3 yrs 2 months apart. The next 2 are 2 yrs 3 weeks apart. The last 2 are 3 yrs 3weeks apart. I think the spacing is perfect! My girls were 8, 5, 3 when my youngest DD was born. They are now 11, 8, 6 and 3.

[abaldacci]

9 years apart. I said i would only have one child, I am so glad I have two.
9 years apart is not bad. I sorta don't get hit with everything at once and kids keep you young. I feel. A woman I know has a sister 9 years older and she say it the best she is having her kids 9 years apart

[1rockinmamato2]

DS and DD are 13 months apart. We adopted both of them at birth so the spacing of their age wasn't entirely in our control.

We've had some crazy moments around our house the last few months, but of course it's all worth it. I am looking forward to how close they will be (or not :scared1: ) when they get older.

I love loving these little monsters of ours! :love:

[Darcy03231]

Between DS #1 and DD #1 there are four years, between DD#1 and DD #2 there are three years and between DD#2 and DS#2 there are 2 years. They are now 22, 18, 15 and 13. The boys have never been close as there is a nine year age difference. DS #1 and DD# 1 are closer now that they are older than when they were younger. DS#1 was always very advanced and mature for his age while DD#1 was very immature for her age. This created more than a four year age gap. The girls have been close at some times in their lives but not at others. Let's face it, with girls during their teen years those three years can make them worlds apart. Right now they get along but aren't really close. Their interests are very different at this stage of their lives. DD#2 and DS #2 were close when they were little, but have little to do with each other at this point in their lives. Some of it has to do with the age difference, but most of is the different sex issue. What's appealing to 13 year old boys doesn't interest 15 year old girls. All four of the children get along and hopefully as they get older will be very close. We do a lot of family things together which helps to foster that.

[Reagan&Co.]

Mine are almost 5.5 years apart. I wanted them close together (I thought one year apart would be good, until I realized how hard it would be to have an infant and one year old at the same time!!!) but it ended up not working that way (had to trade husbands...).
So, the wonderful part was that I had my DS right after my DD began kindergarten. She was busy with school and I had lots of time with DS and I did not have to worry about her being jeaulous. At five years apart, she could be a big help with entertaining and diaper changing. They can play wonderfully together with their own made up games, and they rarely fight over the same toys, because they have different interests.
I guess the drawback is that they don't always play together, but maybe all kids are like that??? I still need to arrange play dates and their own activities, but I think that is to be expected, since even kids born close together can have very different interests.
Good luck!

[Andy B]

My two are DS 15 and DD 9. I di not want then 18-30 months apart as I feel this contributes to the 'terrible twos' for the first child but did not intend for such a big gap but you play the hand you are dealt.

I am one of four and my nearest sibling is 7 years older my eldest sibling was 15 years older than me and one in between.

[pigletforever]

My boys are 13 years apart. DH says we did that way so one will always think we are smart. :lmao:

Seriously DS17 is mine biologically but my DH adopted him when DS was 10. DS4 was adopted at birth. They are very close. DS17 is awesome with DS4. They do things together all the time. DS4 is going to be lost next year. DS17 is going out of state for college.

[Pugrpooh]

There are 18 months between DD1 and DD2 and then 13 years between DD2 and DD3. They are now 19, 18 and 4. In the fall, DD18 will go off to college and DD4 will go to kindergarten.:sad1:

I would've preferred not to have waited so long for DD #3 but I wouldn't have it any other way now.

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

My DD's are 3 1/2 years apart. It has been great! DD7 has been a wonderful big sister and a great help, and she was in preschool 2 half-days per week when DD4 was very small. They play together very well (and fight sometimes) and love to be together! They are each other's favorite person, even more than Mom or Dad!

[tea4sanity]

#1(g) & #2(b) is 10 months.
#2 & #3(b) is 4yr 3m.
#3 & #4(g) 8yr 6m.

The first 2 were great friends when they were little but fight horribly now. I think a lot of it has to do with having the same friends. All 3 older ones dote on the youngest. Can you say spoiled by them?? lol

8.5 years is longer apart than we had thought of but then again she was not planned. Now I would not have it any other way. It is so much different with a preschooler now at 37 than it was when we started at 19. In september I will have 2 in college (oldest took a year off to get settled?), 1 in high school & 1 starting K. Should be interesting LOL!

[friendnc]

My boys are 13/11, 2.5 years apart almost to the day. I, and they, love them being that close in age. They're emotionally close, and there's not such a big age difference that they don't have much in common.

[Tosie]

Mine are 4.5 year apart and it's WONDERFUL!!! They get along great (ds is 10 and dd is 6) most of the time. It was great for me because ds was in school when dd came so I got lots of one on one time with her, just like I had with him!

[pha1226]

Mine are 21 months apart. I planned them close on purpose...wanted to get through the diapers and stuff one time and never go back.

They are typical sisters...best friends and worst enemies but they are really inseparable. They are 2 years apart in school so they each have their own social circle. I think the age difference is perfect but my only sister is 19 months younger so maybe I just like replicating my own childhood. My dh and his brother are 7 years apart and they get along but they were never really that close. My guess is it depends a lot of the family and the personality of the kids.

[1of6]

DS-22 months older than DD-3 years older than DS-2 1/2 years older than DD. The boys are just under 5 years apart and the girls are just over 5 years apart.

In school however, the first 2 are 2 grades apart and the last 2 will be 2 grades apart with a 4 year gap inbetween the big kids and little kids.

My kids "play" as a group a lot. Right now they have the music blasting in the other room and they are all dancing and jumping around. We do have the "I don't want to share!" :scared1: and the "why does ___ always have to be included?" :sad2: but not like 2 years ago. Now that DD3 is more of a participant it has really helped.

[Ariel8676]

I have 3 girls..my first two are 14 months apart, it is wonderful..they play great together and are the best of friends (they are 5 and 4)...we really wanted to have our third child close as well, but things don't always work out as planned..so my second and third daughter's are 3 years apart (almost to the day...November 24 is my 4 yo and November 25 is my 1 yo..lol)

[DisneyMomx7]

6 years between 1 and 2, 15 months between 2 and 3, 18 months between 3 and 4, 12 years between 4 and 5, 15 months between 5 and 6 and 18 months between 6 and 7.

Explanation - I was working about #1 and I wasn't able to quit and stay home so I didn't want to do 2 kids in day care etc. Financial circumstances improved and I decided to stay home so had 2 3 and 4 close together. I thought I was done. I had undergone chemo so I was told that I would go into early menopause and no more babies, Okay. Well I was only off the chemo for six months and surprise! We didn't want #5 to be like an only child so here we go again 5, 6 and 7 rapidly.

It was quite a shock to start all over again but now I couldn't imagine my life without the little ones. The older ones adore the younger ones and can't wait to come home and visit them. Oldest one is married with two children of her own, one is in law school and comes home to visit, one is still in college (lives away but comes home for summer) and one son just graduated and still lives with us.

[pweyl36]

First child DS (18) is 10yrs older than DD (9) and DD is 4yrs older than DS(5).

[laughinplace199]

We have a DD (7) who is 2 yrs older than DS (5). They are great friends! When DS(5) was born I often felt like I had 2 babies, but I also was very happy that DD could do some things for herself. For me, 2 yrs apart was perfect. Then DS (3 months) came along. He is 5 years younger than his brother and 7 years younger than his sister. The "big" kids love the baby and are really a great help. Both big kids are in school now, so I get to spend lots of time w/baby!

[Tooblessed]

My kids are 5 days shy of being 2 years apart. I actually had the same due date with both.
I love them being close in age, they are the best of friends. It helps that a lot of DS's friends have sisters the same age as DD so it has been great for playdates and she already has several friends for school next year.
We also got away with having one party for both until this year. I would decorate the living room for dd and the patio for ds so in their scrapbooks it looks like they each had their own party.
Now we are planning them 2 weeks apart so it is easier on our family to come to the parties.

[Tinkerbell2002]

My boys are 4 and half years apart. Older DS is so helpful with the baby and really loves playing with him. THe baby is entertained by his big brother constantly. For me that was good spacing, since I don't know that I could have handled two toddlers or a toddler and a baby at one time. I only worry that they will not have a lot in common as they get older and will not be close.

[Kellyscrapbooks]

For those who don't mind sharing, what are the age differences between your children? Any pros or cons you'd like to share from your own experience? Things you've enjoyed or haven't enjoyed about those particular age differences? Thank you!

Mine are 3½ years apart. It worked out really well for us. My daughter was just over 3½ when my son was born and they are good buddies most of the time. The only hard part is she is at the age where she is getting a little "older" and he is feeling a bit left behind. She does still play with him a lot and they do tons together, but I think for a year or two he might be a little lost.

[Kimkimba]

My first two are almost exactly 9 years apart. I had my first child young with my ex. Then I got remarried and we got pregnant right away.

5 1/2 years until I had my next. And 4 years later my next one will be born (she's due in April).

So there's 18 1/2 years between my oldest and soon-to-be youngest.

They keep me young, and I wouldn't change a thing. I feel like I can give them each more attention by them being spaced.

[rhonhod]

My kids are 1 yr and 2 weeks apart. DD was born 4/14/93 and DS was born on 4/28/94.


My family is DB 34, me 33(soon), DB 24, DSis 23, and DSis 11(will be 12 next month) Yeah I was 21 when my baby sister was born. My own daughter was turning 2 and my son was turning 1. They are in middle school now. Its soooo funny, DD is in the 8th grade, DS is in the 7th grade and DSis is in the 6th grade. When Dsis was in the office taking her meds on day my DD was in turning in a paper for her teacher and Dsis said "hey there is my niece, she's in 8th grade"

[gabbysmom04]

mine are 15 months apart. For me is has been very hard! My DS 1 was born with a number of serious medical problems so having two babies was really hard for me. We plan on having one more but am not sure when will be best. To be honest I am thinking we won't try until summer of 08 so we can go on the May repo cruise! But sometimes I think it would be better do just have the next one now so they can all grow up close.

[almburr]

DD 1994, DD 1998, DS 2000, DD 2001, DS 2004 I like the age differences.

My sister and I are 9 years apart, and hated it. No one in between.

[MrsBanks]

my only sibling and I are 12 years apart and not close - so I decided to have my children close, they are 19 mos. apart - at times they are great friends/playmates and at other times they fight like :cat: & :dog2:

[Hillbeans]

My two boys are 6 years old and 16 months old, so they're about 4 years 8 months apart in age.

I hadn't planned on that much of a gap between the two, but a higher power had other things in mind for us ;)

For our family, it works out very well - my son who just turned 6 plays so well with his baby brother, and the little guy plays up to him. They are very close and I hope they always will be.

[Cindy's Mom]

Mine are 18 months apart. It was very hard at the beginning the young one was colic and the old one was "still a baby", I really don't remember a couple of her milestones because I was with colicky DS.

Other than that, its getting much easier now, they fight, they love eachother. DS is a typical boy and DD is a typical girls. Wierd how that happens huh? They are 2 years apart in school, which I do like. I thought they were going to be 1 year apart but with the cut off dates and all, its 2 years. This way it won't be Groundhog Day for mom, doing the same exact thing every year with the younger one :rotfl2:

[crisi]

12 months 2 weeks - our second was a "surprise."

Pros: They do play together (but pick on each other like siblings do). We can go see the same movies. They play the same games and can share toys (I have one boy and one girl - two of the same gender would be helpful with some of this as well). We go to Disney and we aren't splitting the family to spend the day in Fantasyland with one while the other rides Mountains. Developmentally they are pretty on pace - we finish something with one and start it with the other. Our childrearining years are compact - our diaper stage overlapped with an end in sight and we should only have four or five years of "teenagers driving."

Cons: The first three years were a living nightmare. It was like twins, except one was breastfeeding while the other was using the dining room chairs to climb on top of the fridge. Diapers everywhere. No privacy at all. And no sleep. For three years straight. I'm expecting a repeat when they get to be teenagers.

[powellrj]

mine are 23, 15 and 10. The bad thing about it is that we waited 5 years to have our first so that meant our youngest was born when we had been married 18 years. Most of the people who got married when we did are now grandparents and we still have kids in grade school!! We will have been married 29 years soon and will have to get a sitter to get away!! Our oldest is in the army so he isn't around to babysit!!

It was great when they were younger because I was able to spend lots of time with them when they were young because I always waited until they started school before we had the next one. On the downside, by the time you get to the youngest, you have done santa, toothfairy and the easterbunny for almost 25 years and you are tired!! I tell people I know most of the field trips better than the teachers because I have been going on them for longer than they have been teaching!!!

[TheRatPack]

My first 2 are 15 months apart, one boy and one girl. It was difficult when they were small, as they slept with us a lot so we didn't have a lot of private time for the first few years. One thing that I hadn't thought of was I wasn't able to nurse #1 as long as I'd wanted due to finding out I was prego with #2. #2 and #3 are 11 months apart, but #3 is adopted so really was no timing involved in that at all LOL Still I enjoy them being this close in age, it makes it easier to be an active family and everyone is usually on the same page in life and activities.

[mrsmom]

My first dd is 20 and my second ds is 14 , 6yrs apart then the second and third are 22 months apart(14, and 12)) then the third and fourth are 12 and 9 are 4 yrs apart , The closest to each other are the 20 and 9 yr old.. It was easier with them 4 yrs apart.
Kim

[Wickedmom75]

DD12 & DD11 are 1 year and 17 days apart, so when DS 8( will be 9 in april) was born they were 3 1/2 and 2 1/2 ,and he was 2 1/2 when DS6 was born so for about 6 years I did nothing but change diapers and wash clothes:laundy: lol They are all in school now and get along for the most part. The 2 girls are either going through or starting puberty so it gets a little rough. The boys play well together (get into trouble well together toopirate: ) We have our moments of insanity when some sports regulations set the cut off date weird and we end up with 4 different coaches but that only happens about every other year, I wouldn't change anything except have another , but that will not be happening :dance3:

[dismom301930]

My oldest DD6 (5/30/00) is about 17 months older than DD5 (10/19/01). My third DD was born on 5/30/04, my oldest DD's fourth birthday! I love the spacing between my girls, although I would not choose for two of them to have the same birthday. My girls are very close, and I hope they always will be. (Although I am sure we will have some rough teenage years!) I also like that there are two years between each of them in school.

[rt2dz]

My first two are two weeks shy three years apart. I thought that was perfect; it is what I had. I didn't have two in diapers, The older one was in preschool and could completely dress himself, he had his own identity and friends. We were past babyhood with him. My oldest is a wonderful teacher and very patient; loves being a big brother. Never had both in preschool at the same time.

There were some cons though, which become more and more apparant the older they get. They aren't into the sme things at the same times. It was much harder to go back to a diaper bag the second time around. The younger of the two is always feeling left out. The skill difference is pretty dramatic, and other developemental issues. Don't even make me go into the sports issues. UGH! Or sharing a room.

Opps--my second and my third are just a little over a year apart. I wanted the third, but no where near that soon. Only insane people do that. Wrong! What a blessing it has turned out to be. Having two in diapers isn't more work but for an extra couple of minutes; I'm actually compacting my total diaper changing days by overlapping them. It was much easier to just go to a bigger diaper bag than to go from no diaper bag back to a diaper bag. They take baths together. They play together. They are into the same things. Food restrictions (choking) and what toys need to be kept away are basically the same for each. My third is more "into" potty training because they do everything else together. My second never even noticed the adding of a family member (read: no jealousy issues), DS#3 has just always been there.

Cons: It was a long time before I slept through the night. It's a big preschool bill for awhile. Yikes! They'll both be in college at the same time since they're only a year apart in school.

We're trying for #4. I was actually aiming for 1 1/2 years. Not doing so hot there. We're at a little over two years now if I get pregnant this month. If I don't get pg with #4 by the time DS#3 is 2, then we're done. For the most part though, we've had our kids when the powers that be thought it was best.

[coneeny4]

My daughter 9 and son 5 are exactly 4 years apart their birthday's are 10/27/97 and 10/27/01.

I worked out well and they get along great most of the time.

[jillyjoey]

Mine are 4 years apart. I think it's the perfect age difference, of course YMMV.

I think 4 years is a good age difference also. We had it planned this way but it was not to be. Our kids our 6 years 5 months apart. The little one loves her big brother though.
:goodvibes

[kanga24roos]

my dss are 10, 7, 4 and 2 three year spread seems to be good and having the oldest and youngest only 8 years apart is great

[macmahony]

My three girls are 5, 4 and 2 1/2
The first two are under a year apart (the younger one came home from the hospital on my oldest 1 birthday)
The youngest two are almost 2 year apart, and we are pregnant with number 4, which will come a few weeks before the baby turns 3.
Honestly, what was easieset for us, and I love the spacing was the year apart. They are like peanut butter and jelly, and just adore each other. Believe me they have there moments, but then all siblings do. I wish we had the pushed to have the other ones closer in age as well.
Yes, with the first two, there were times it was hairy, but I think adding any sibling there will be those times. Mine all potty trained really early (18 months or so), but honestly two in diapers so what, you are already in the thick of it, why not add another one. I love the crazyness of our house, I love the noise, the activity, I love it.

[Perditamarie]

There are some very interesting answers here...and very different, yet everyone is pleased with how their families are. Just goes to show you how what works for you won't (and shouldn't) be everyone's choice.

Anyway, my kids are 3,4 & 5 ... that's what worked for us. Actually, I didn't realize what I was in for until #1 started crawling!! Then I became a schedule maniac. Actually, it has been wonderful because everyone is on the same learning curve...the younger 2 learn from the older one..very helpful during potty training. The best part about it is there has been no sibling jealousy when a new baby was brought home, because they were just used to babies. Each one is a blessing and you just say thank you, whenever they happen to come along.

[DisneyPhD]

Mine are about 3 1/2 years apart. That worked well for us (at least me). I don't do "happy pregnant women" so time off between pregnancies and feeling like I got to focus on my 1st while she still was a baby before I had a 2nd baby worked well for us.

They play together now and are close. They share a room and I don't think I could separate them if I wanted to at this point.

My youngest is starting to be potty trained, done breast feeding and getting more independent. hmmmmmmmmm It makes me think. :rolleyes1

[WantToGoNow]

My "children" are 23, 5 and 3. There are 17 years between #1 and #2. The pediatrician said that #2 would actually be considered my oldest now and that #1 didn't count in the line-up. The 2.5 year gap between #2 and #3 is great. He was very, very protective of her as a baby and toddler. They are just now starting to not get along all of the time.

[sl_underwood]

My girls are 3.5 years apart and they are close, my ds is 6.5 years younger and he is often left out. We also had little control over how far apart our kids were since we adopted as well.

[Tink561]

Our boys are 17, 14 and 13. The first two are 3 years, 2 weeks apart. There is 10.5 months between the second and third. We adopted our daughter this past November and she just turned 1 in January so there is 12 years between the last boy and the baby girl.

When my three boys were young it was hard but they have always been close and had each other to play with. I'm a little sad that my daughter won't have a close sibling...but she won't. We're done.

[la79al]

DSS and DSD are almost 5 years apart. I feel that it has made DSS more immature as he spends most of his time playing with his little sister. Overall, I find the age gap difficult, probably in part to one being a boy and one being a girl. We find it hard to find things to do that are age appropriate and enjoyable for both. DSD will be at least 6 when she gets a younger sibling. After that I hope to space them out about every 18 months. While it may be difficult at times, I think it make them all closer.

[swillis]

This has probably already been said, but I didn't read every single post.

My kids are 18 mos apart. My daughter is the older one, my son is the younger. When they were very little, I felt like I had twins! They were both still in diapers, both on a bottle, my daughter was just learning to walk when my son was born, so I had a double stroller to go anywhere.

As they got older (like ages 5 and 6) they got along very well. I asked for them to be in separate rooms at daycare and preschool, so they could learn to play with other children, and spend some time apart.

Now as preteens, they have a love/hate relationship like any other set of siblings. One minute they are in cahoots, ganging up on mom, and the next minute it's world war three!

The only difference is that due to some health problems my son had when he was very little, they are 3 years apart in school. This has resulted in them not being in the same school together since they were in elementary school. And they won't be in school together again until my daughter is a Senior and my son a Freshman. We'll see how that goes!!

[kileybeth]

Hey Disney Mom of 7, a Mom I relate too!

Our babies, cause they are always your babies in your heart. . .

Oldest son just turned 25 years old this week And is happily married to our dear DIL and we have a beautiful 5 year old Grandson.

Our 19 year old college junior (another son) is on Internship with his school in Cambodia for the next 1.5 years (so far away. . .how did parents do it before cell phones, Internet, etc.?)

Son #3 is 14 years old and the best baby I ever had, due me after a spitter, a cryer and 9 months of generally awful pregnancy! hehe

and then came my baby girl, wow! I never knew! she is just so female! she understands me! She is currently 11 years old and got to enjoy her reign as princess of the family for a full 7 years before uh-oh!

Son #4! Our most rotten spoiled up child is currently residing in the body of a 4 year old altho he believes he should have all rights and priveleges of his older sibs! and since his vocabulary often emulates them . . .

His baby sister may just be the first 21 month old to learn to speak in pure Poohisms. . ."well, actually I do not believe that is necessary"

and that is my clan, only 6 but since it took 23 years to get them all here. . .

I'm pretty sure we are really done this time:_) My body says I'm really done too! but to never nurse another little one, and to watch my 6'1", 260+ pound baby move half way around the world, well, I guess any age or age span is just perfect. I'm just a bit more tired with the last 2.

so some 5 year spans (1 college education at a time was the thought there)
some 10 year spans (those at home are currently 14 and 4 (boys) and almost 12 and 2(girls) and my boys will all be turning multiples of 5 this year (5,15,20and 25!)!

The girls were the ones in a hurry and messed with my 5 year spacing!

will admit the 2-3 year spans were harder for me. I liked doing one at a time! however I've given up on the empty nest syndrome I am afraid!

and that's all folks!

[kileybeth]

Oh! wanted to say, sibling rivalry never an issue at all with ones 5 years apart, they each had their own stuff and interest but with the 2 sets who are only 2-3 years apart? ugh. driving me nuts!

older ones do love those babies to pieces tho!

[#1 Pocahontas]

Mine are 3 1/2 years apart (oldest is almost 5 and youngest is 1). I love the age difference. They are both girls and my oldest adores her little sister. She acts like the little mother. We can already see the bond between them. They like to play laughing games in the car and many times they ride silently and I will look in the mirror and see them just riding along holding hands. So cute!

The only downfall is having to take the little one to everything; preschool, ballet, soccer. I feel like she is spending her first two years in a carseat and I feel bad about it. I guess that is what happens to younger siblings. I just try my best to give her floor time as much as possible.

[Deesknee]

My boys are 13 years apart. DH says we did that way so one will always think we are smart. :lmao:




:rotfl: I never thought of that!

mine are ahh, ..... first 3 are a total of 3 minutes apart (does that count?).

then the 4th is 12years 5mnths apart. The triplets were 12 when we had DD. But going with pigletforevers theory we should have had DD#2 when the triplets were about......7. lol

pro's of 12years between, youngest has wonderful role models. I can usually get a babysitter if absolutely neccessary. The teenagers have no desire to have children - hence abstenance(hehehe) Got to go baby shopping again.

con's I am much older and don't have the energy I did with the other kids. Fulltime work is put on hold. Had to get all new baby equipment that I will never use again.

I love all my years with children, no matter how many years between or how old or stupid they make me feel;)

[mericletwins]

I have twins that are 28 minutes apart and then #3 is 14 months behind them. Having them close is fabulous. They get along great, "learning" to share was never an issue because they had to right from the beginning, they can play on the same sports teams every other year, and when we go on vacation they are all interested in the same thing. No splitting up because someone needs older rides/younger rides!

[resprout]

My oldest is 3 1/2 years older (and after a long wait for number 2) than #2
and #2 is < 1 min older than #3 and #3 is <1 min older than #4 and #4 is <1 min older than #5.

Our oldest child is an IVF baby and we tried for #2 when he was 10 months old with IVF again. After 3 miscarriages, we had quadruplets. I wanted my kids close together since one of my brothers and I are 15 months apart and have always been extremely close. It didn't work out that way between #1 and #2 but the last 4 are certainly close!!

We are leaving in 17 days for our first trip for my husband and kids! I think that I may be more excited than the kids are!!! Of course to get out of the negative degrees would make me excited anyway!

[NYCDVClover2000]

My girl's are 13 years apart :scared1: . My older daughter will be 15 this month and my little one will be 2 in May. And yes with the same husband and we were never separted either :cool1:

Stacy

[goofy4wdw2]

Thank you everyone for sharing this...it is really wonderful to hear all about all of your children and families! We recently had a miscarriage and are thinking things through before trying again, and it's nice to hear how things have worked out for all of you with your children's spacing. A lot of beautiful families here on the DIS :) Thanks again

[MOCHAGIRL2]

I have two boys that are 16 and 10, I thought a larger age difference would be o.k.?? the youngest wants to be a teenager, and the teenager cant stand the little one, because he doesnt act older? go figure, They fight from the time they get up till they go to bed. I love them both but augggg!!!

[tiff211]

chiming in late:

I have 4 girls, 9 years difference between the first 2, 15, 6, 4, 1. I see that DD15 has a special bond with DD1 that I didn't see with the rest. DD6 and DD4 have a love/hate relationship. I predict that will stay that way. I wonder how the dynamics will change as DD1 gets older and joins in. Right now, she prefers to be a loner.

DH and I figured out that in 4 years they will all be in the same school in 5th, 3rd and K. Anyone else have all siblings in the same school, that aren't twins or triplets?

[PrincessasMommy]

I have 3 girls...so far! And my age differences are pretty close to the pp.

I have 7 years between the first 2 girls (too far imo but dd#1 was special needs and finances made us wait), I thought I would make up for lost time with the 2nd 2 and they are 17 months apart - this was alot of work but now that they play together, they are so wonderful and fun. And the new baby due in June will be 3 years apart from our 3rd dd.
I think that is going to be the perfect spacing, because at 7 yrs old my oldest was an only child too long, at 17 months my middle wasn't the baby long enough, and at 3 my "baby for now" will be old enough to understand baby, can put her own velcro shoes on, knows patience, and will feel big as she goes to preschool a couple days a week!
As for 3 in school at the same time, we have it figured out that this baby will start Kindergarten when DD #1 starts University!!:eek: Our elementary school kids will be in Kindergarten, Grade 2 & Grade 3!
And I'll be 38!!:scared1: Where does the time go??

[DisneyPhD]

chiming in late:

I have 4 girls, 9 years difference between the first 2, 15, 6, 4, 1. I see that DD15 has a special bond with DD1 that I didn't see with the rest. DD6 and DD4 have a love/hate relationship. I predict that will stay that way. I wonder how the dynamics will change as DD1 gets older and joins in. Right now, she prefers to be a loner.

DH and I figured out that in 4 years they will all be in the same school in 5th, 3rd and K. Anyone else have all siblings in the same school, that aren't twins or triplets?

I have to say I have noticed a very special bond with large gaps between ages too. I am the youngest of 4 children. I have 3 older brothers who are 10, 8 and 6 years older then me. I am close with them all, being the "super baby" I had a very protected relationship.

Now my girls are very close with their older cousins (who are more like my other kids then my niece and nephews.) The older kids are very good with the younger ones too, I see a whole new side to them around the babies.

I think it is good for older kids to have younger siblings. It is great for the little kids to have big brothers and or sisters too! I guess I really believe that just because your kids aren't close together in age, doesn't mean they won't be close. :)

[Michigan]

8 years difference they are 9 & 17. Sometimes they are close and sometimes the oldest one acts younger then the youngest and they fight like cats and dogs.

[PaulaSue]

Mine are 2 years and 2 months and 2 years and 3 months apart. It was really hard when my 3rd was born but now at almost 4 years old is it great, IMO.

I really think there is no perfect age difference. For me, I was 25 when I got married. I wanted to have my kids ASAP with my risk of early BC (My mom was 36 and her sister and my other GM had it too) and both Dh and I are onlies.

[belle&beast]

MIne are 2.5 years apart exactly. We actually wanted them to be closer, but it was not under our control. IMO 2.5 was a really hard age for DD to accept DS. She hit the "terrible twos" just about the time he was bornanf asked when he was going back! I think it would have been a lot easier if she was younger or closer to 3.5-4. But now they are still close enough in age to have some common interests and far enough apart that they are independent of one another.

[MissyDVC]

DS8 pirate: and DD 6 1/2 princess: are 16 months apart and we LOVE it! We had a hard time having a first child so started trying almost right away and DD was a wonderful and quick surprise :thumbsup2 They are great friends and have been from the start. They go through things almost at the same time and yet they are two very different children. I wouldn't trade it so anything.:cloud9:

[SGB13]

belle&beast- You made me laugh. My DD is 2 1/2 years older than her brother also. When he was a couple weeks old she asked if we could take him back to the hospital now. :rotfl: We had a long talk about the fact that he was here to stay, and I guess it worked. Now the are the best of friends and play together constantly. I'm a lucky Mom. Hope they don't start fighting too much when they're older.
My sister was only 1 1/2 years older & 1 grade ahead of me in school, we were always fighting. My husbands brother was 4 years younger and they didn't do much together at all. So we aimed for some where in between. It has worked well for us. But I did feel like I did diapers forever. (DD just getting out of them when DS was born). So I can see the appeal of having them closer in age.

[LCtonra]

I have a boy and a girl and they are almost five years to the day...my daughter is June 8th and my son was born this past June 7th. The pros...my DD is self sufficient. I just have to tell her to go brush her teeth, get PJ's on, etc. She was never a mommies helper like everyone said she would be, but I knew she wasn't into babies. Cons....even with just being 5 years apart. It was like starting over. We were in our routine. She was in school full time this year and we welcomed a baby. I wouldn't change it for the world though. We have a new routine, which is basically that we do not have one at all:)

[TheDizMom]

Mine are 41/2 years apart and I like it most of the time. I like it the most because I'll only have to put one through college at a time:rotfl2:, but mostly because they are so far a part no one can compare them. My sister and I are 14 months apart and like night and day. We were constantly compared and I usually got the raw end of the deal because she NEVER did anything wrong:mad:. We fought so much by the time we hit middle school my mother used to try and keep us from being in the house together so she could have some peace:headache:.
Over all I think 3 years would be perfect and that is what I wanted, but God felt differently so 41/2 years it is. They get along pretty well though :hug: and my DS is good about doing things like playing house which most big brothers wouldn't. There are times when he doesn't want to play with her and she frustrates him, but I think that would happen anyway. For me the one down side is she thinks she should be able to do what he gets to and doesn't understand when she can't, and it's always a fight. But as they say "this to shall pass" or will it:confused:.

[mrs. magoo]

We did the 4 kids in 5 years thing. The first two ds #1 and dd #1 are 14 months apart. The next one, dd #2, is 2 years 12 days from dd #1 and finally ds #2 is 2 years and 2 months from dd #2. It is crazy around here, but now that all are potty trained and the youngest goes to school in the fall I am a little sad for the old days. Then I remember and say what are you crazy.

DS 9 DD 8 DD 6 DS 4 in 2 weeks

[mlraabe]

Ours are - #1 and #2 3 yrs 3 months apart, #2 and #3 3 yrs 3 months, #3 and #4 19 months. I really liked the 3 years difference but when we were discussing #4 realized that just as we got out of the baby stage we were starting it again. With oldest DS starting to get involved in activities we decided that the last two should be closer. We knew four would be it. The last 2 DS are now just turned 5 and 3 1/2. they are a handfull but, best of friends. DS3 won't know what to do next year when DS5 goes to all day Kindergarten! They go to preschool together right now. Ds11 and DD 8 fight most of the time. When they were younger they played well together but I think now the gender difference is the problem. Plus, DD11 is starting to get that "teenager" attitude and DD knows exactly how to push his buttons! It is funny though that both DD11 and DD8 get along great with the three year old but not always so well with the five year old. I think it is more personality conflicts than anything. DD5 is really our wild child and has a little too much energy!! As I'm writing this right now the youngest two are very involved playing with the Imaginext Castle - a daily event. They just love to play together. But, life was hard (getting easier) when they were babies and we had 2 others too! If we could go back we would probalby have the first 2 closer and 3 yrs with the rest.

As far as elementary goes:we have a preschool program so for the past 2 years I have had 3 kids in the same school. Last year 5th, 2nd, and preschool. This year 3rd, and 2 in preschool. DD11 is across the parking lot in the middle school. They will all be in the high school/middle school at the same time though! And I teach at the elem building part time so most of our family is in the same place during the day.

[Fintastic]

We're looking at having a baby this time next year (give or take a month) so DD will be almost 4½. I wanted baby #2 to be between 3-4 years younger than DD so I guess we're just slightly behind schedule. I just haven't been ready any sooner. :lmao:

[mommytodarlings]

My sister is 9.5 yrs older than me and my brother is 11 yrs older than me, so it was like I was an only child and did not want than for my children.

My oldest is 5, 14.5 months older than #2, 17 months between 2 & 3 and 2 years between 3 &4. My oldest is a girl and she gets along great with the other 3. The only fights we have are between #2 & #3, but they are both boys, so I think that is the biggest reason for fights.

All of them were planned. We wanted them close in age. We wouldn't have it any other way, except for the stares we get from some people when we go out, lol.

[LisaNJ25]

Mine are 14, 7, 2 and 1.

I loved having the age gap... didnt have 2 in daycare at the same time.. many things were easier... not sure how i feel yet about the last 2 being 12 months and 6 days apart lol.. some days are better than others.

[arielsleepingbeauty]

17 months. One is 5 and one is 6. Also had 3 miscarriages before my first.

[homedad]

DS5 and DD3, good split for us as they really like to play together

[sharlon]

Let's see
DD9 and DD8 are 22 months apart (DD9 will be 10 in March) They are exactly the same age difference as my sister and I are and now we are best friends, although we fought like my two daughters do. They also play well together though and obviously share secrets and giggle alot. They are also both very smart and very competitive with each other.
DS1, no not an accident, real life just got in the way of having our third. He is 18 months old, so DD8 was 6 1/2 when he was born. They spoil him rotten!

[Disneydreaming6]

Ok, here goes. Child 1 dd17 is 4 yr older then child 2 dd13 child 3 ds12 is 1yr younger then child 2. Child 4 ds5 is 6 yrs younger then child 3. For me it was much easier having them a yr apart then it was 4yrs or eeeekk 6 yrs apart. Oldest dd still thinks she is an only child. She was also very independent. I found it very hard having to lug dd #2 everywhere, she was not a very easy baby, to this day she is still like velcro. But it was easier, hey your changing one diaper whats one more. Now, 6 yrs apart. All the kids could do things on their own. I was finally able to close the bathroom door to take a shower. I wouldn't trade my little guy for anything. But he does wear me out. Where does he get the energy. Even the older kids have to ask him to just sit for a min.....lol