My daughter is 14 years old and I am now 5 weeks pregnant with number 2. I started trying for a 2nd when she was 10 as I figured it would mean that she was still young enough to enjoy it but also old enough to be a bit more independent so would understand when I had to do stuff with the baby and couldn't be at her beck and call. Unfortunately it hasn't worked out that way - I never expected it to take this long.
Anyway my daughter is old enough to understand about the pregnancy and help with jobs around the house. It's a pity she will be close to 15 by the time it is born as she has never really liked babies but loves little kids (from around 2 years upwards) so by the time this one is the age she likes she'll be close to leaving home.

I think there are obviously advantages and disadvantages to both but having a bigger gap does allow you to spend more quality time with each child.

Interestingly one of my best friends is the youngest of 6 kids. There is 18 years difference between her and the eldest and only 3 years between her and the 2nd youngest but she actually gets along much better with her eldest sister then she does with the one closer in age to her. She and her eldest sister are actually very close. But she doesn't get along with the sister who is closest in age to her.

Lori
DD14
Started donor search Dec 06, started donor insemination Jan 09, Started IVF Feb 10, finally 5 weeks pregnant!!!