thread: Big age gap? 5 years +

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Mar 2011
    Brisbane's Southside
    988

    Big age gap? 5 years +

    I was just reading another thread that was based on age gaps - so instead of hijacking that thread I though I'd start another one because I'm interested on bigger age gaps. Does anyone have a 5 or 6 year age gap?

    DD has just started prep - she turned 5 in January. Her dad and I split up quite early but my now DF and I have started talking about when we will plan to have more babies (preferably 2) within the next few years.

    I'd love to hear your experiences so I can get some understanding of what to expect.

    TIA!

  2. #2

    Oct 2008
    2,880

    I have friends who have a 7 year age gap between children. They didn't plan it that way but a few things happened and it just turned out that way for them.

    They love it. Their daughter is 9 and their son is now 2, and it's been really good. They don't have anything negative to say about it at all. They could focus on their daughter until she started school and they've been able to do the same with their son, as obviously their wee girl is at school all day.

    Works for lots of people!

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Add Feijoa Mum on Facebook

    Jul 2008
    Forest Lake - Brisbane
    919

    I have a just off a 6 year gap between my number 3 and 4 sons.
    It has worked out well for us although I have gone on to have a number 5 because I was worried about number 4 basically growing up alone.
    I was able to focus alot on him because when the older boys were at school he was an "only" child.
    He has grown up fast though and he is a very mature 3yr old now. He wants to be like the older boys and doesnt understand why he cant do the things they are.

    It can be difficult at times for me to change my parenting cap from teenage Mum to toddler mum but its all a learning process.

    Overall I have no problems with the age gap.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Jul 2005
    Sydney
    7,896

    We have one DD who has just turned five and we are about to start TTC number two. It was our decision to leave a longer gap so DD would be at school. We both work for ourselves and I don't have the option of taking time off, so will just go back to juggling like I did when DD was a baby. Much easier to do that when she's at school and I only have one baby at home!

    I don't know how it will all work out, but I'm hoping DD is old enough to be interested and involved, without having jealousy or competitive issues.

  5. #5
    BellyBelly Member

    Jan 2005
    Brisbane
    1,300

    I have three children, the age gap between DS1 and DS2 is 3yrs1mth then a 5 year gap between DS2 and DS3.

    At first i thought it would be hard having a big age gap,but it's been great i have just as much time with my baby now as i did with my first because the older two are at school all day. I love the way the older kids interact with their baby brother, they enjoy him soooo much and he adores them too.

  6. #6
    smiles4u Guest

    When little i turned 5 in January and started school that same year ... my younger sister was only a 3mths old baby at the time and i can say we grew up very close, infact i have an older sister who is 9yrs old then i in which i have always felt the age gap and not particularly close in relationship !!

    Hope that helps at least a little.

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Jan 2007
    where cosmopolitans and margaritas flow all night
    2,794

    We're thinking of having a 6-7 year gap. Dd is 3 so still have time to think about it. Sounds like there are lots of positive stories.

    I have a friend who is 20 years younger than her oldest sibling!

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Jan 2010
    In Love land with my family :D
    1,512

    DD will be almost 10 when my #2 is born

    I think of all the wonderful things DD will be ABLE to do, help out with feeding baby and playing with baby. She will want to 'babysit' without classing it as babysitting (like hanging out washing etc) she can help more with chores around the house (prob not too much more) and be an awesome big sister to #2.

    It is a tad scary because I kind of forget what it was like to have a newborn but am sure it will come back to me once baby is born!

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Oct 2009
    Bonbeach, Melbourne
    7,177

    We are planning a 5 or so year age gap between Isla and our next baby. We love the idea of Isla being old enough that she's at school, and that I can focus more on the new baby. Isla will be able to help out a lot more than a younger child, will understand that the baby needs attention and we won't have two in nappies We'd then like a smaller gap between #2 and #3.

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Jan 2006
    Qingdao, China
    1,196

    There is 7 years between my sister & I. It wasn't planned that way, but Mum just couldn't seem to fall pregnant in between us. Mum said my sister was a 'Mini Mummy' when I was a baby & helped her so much with me. Mind you, we fought like cats & dogs all through our school years, but now we are the best of friends!!!

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Jul 2010
    sydney
    2,187

    I have a 5 yr gap between my youngest 2 ds's and it's 10 yrs between my first ds and my dd
    My sister and I have a 15 yr age gap and even though she is a pain in the behind I don't mind her lol
    My brother and I have 6 yrs and 1 month difference too
    I don't think it's so much the age gap that bothers me but the loneliness and isolation paranoia I get for my kids Itms? Lol


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk xoxox

  12. #12
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    in the garden
    3,767

    I have a 4.5 year gap between #2 and #3, and then a 7 year gap between #3 and #4.
    It's great, the bigger gap at the end of things isn't what I would have planned but has worked beautifully for our family.

    I have a sister who is 10 years younger and a brother who is 20 years younger than me.

  13. #13
    2014 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    Feb 2010
    Gold Coast
    2,117

    I'm the youngest child in my family and have 3siblings. Despite having a sister close in age (2.5yrs older), my brother who is 10yrs older than me is my bestest buddy. I think it's more about personality than ages.

    HTH

  14. #14
    Registered User

    Nov 2010
    Perth, WA
    3,172

    I am the middle of my mother's children, I have a half brother 9 years older and a half sister 9 years younger. My DD just turned 9 and I am due with my 2nd baby in November....are we seeing a pattern here

    Didn't really plan it that way, it's just the way it happened. But I can say that I idolised my big brother as a child and we've been quite close for a number of years. I wasn't as close with my sister, though it is improving now that we are spending time together as adults, rather than me being the tormenting big sis

    My DD is absolutely thrilled she's going to be a big sister and is being very sweet and caring towards me, always telling me to look after myself and all that. I'm hoping she'll have less jealousy problems and sibling rivalry as there'll be things she can do that her little brother or sister can't - things that are special just for her. And she can help care for the baby

  15. #15
    Registered User

    Jun 2005
    665

    I am pregnant with #2 - DS has just turned 5. I remember saying when he was born that I don't want a bigger age gap than 2 years! We just kept putting it off as we felt the time wasn't right (we are still young). I was a bit worried about big the age gap, but seeing him now, so excited about having a little sister soon and how he helps me out as much as a 5 year old can I know the age gap will be such a positive thing!

  16. #16
    Registered User

    Jul 2008
    Victoria
    1,064

    There is 5yrs between my eldest brother and my second brother, there is also 5yrs between my second brother and I. Growing up having big brothers 10yrs and 5yrs older than me was awesome... We were close as kids but are even closer as adults.

    There is 5yrs between DS and DD and while the timing wasn't planned it was the best thing to happen. There was NO jealousy, DS helped every way he could and still does and he was and is incredibly understanding when he wants something, I explain I have to feed or change DD but as soon as I'm done I can help. They are incredibly close - DS dotes on DD and DD idolizes DS. DS being at school meant DD and I had 1 on 1 time and I was able to give DS 1 on 1 time in the afternoon/evening...
    We plan on having our next baby when DD is 4 or 5...