We have a 4.5yr age gap between our two boys. It wasn't planned, this is just how it turned out and for us it's great! There has been no jealousy at all, ds1 just adores his little brother, it's really sweet to watch! Ds1 has been at kindy this year so I've had a couple of days a week where it's just been me ands ds2 which has been fantastic, nice to have that one on one time with the new bub in the early days.

Ds1 is old enough to realise that sometimes I just can't play and am really busy with ds2 and he'll give me a hand so I can get done quicker to play or he's happy enough to go do something on his own for a little bit. He's now much more independent and able to amuse himself for a feed/bumchange/settle etc...

The one thing I've been guilty of that I didn't realise was I wasn't conciously making time for ds1, just me and him. I think he's really missed that coz it was just him for such a long time. Now ds2 will take a bottle we're making an effor to do more things, leave ds2 home with dh and me and ds1 head out for an ice-cream or something. This morning I'm 'kindy mum' and my mum is going to watch ds1. I think it's important to do these things where you can.

The only negative is having to do school pick up and drop off at sleep time, some days that just sucks! Was fine in the beginning, we hired a capsule that was compatible with our pram so he could keep snoozing through getting in and out of the car, but as he grew out of that the sleep stopped. We're actually changing schools next year to the local one we'll be able to walk to (a good 20mins there and back) so I'm hoping that if all else fails ds2 might sleep in the pram in the afternoons! Fingers Crossed!

Enjoy the age gap and congratulations!