So DD is 9 years old and I am pregnant with my second. I'm interested in hearing from other mothers who have a largeish gap between kids - what's the best thing about it, and what should I watch out for?
I have 10 years between DD2 & DS2. There was nothing to watch out for as she was more than excited to have a little brother or sister when I was pregnant. She has been a wonderful helper over the years and the little ones are really close to her. My DS1 was 13 when DS2 was born and although they are close and love each other, DS1 is a little more independent and gets a little more frustrated with the little ones at times.
I love the age difference between them, but we found that DS2 definitely needed a younger sibling, which is why we went from having 3 to 5
My DD was 10 years old when I had DS. It truly is fantastic. She is a little mummy (always has been) and dotes on her little brother. She is so helpful and always wants to be with him and play with him.
The only thing I find myself having to be careful of is not allowing her to do too much for him. She desperately wants to bath him, put him to sleep, change him, dress him.. Basically be his mummy! But that is just the child she is. I occasionally let her change his nappy and she has just started having a shower with him sometimes but that's about as far as it goes. She is still very young after all.
I didn't want DS growing up without a close in age sibling so we now have another on the way!
My DD is 9 too, I am also preggers with #2 and I would advise to include her in all she wants to be included in u/s picking out clothes etc.
We have seen a bit of jealousy which is totally normal, but am trying to deal with it in a way where she doesn't get used to us buying her something everything we buy #2 something.
Be reassusing too - they start feeling like they are not important anymore.
We are planning on having a Sister album from bubba 2 - DD1 as the gift when DD2 is born Her own special album that she can choose pics for and stick them in.
That's pretty cool Miss M - and really reassuring to hear from everyone saying how fun it's been having a little helper.
We've booked a 3D scan to bring DD along to rather than take to her to the very medicalised ones iftms? Something fun so she can have a looksee, maybe see if she's having a little brother or sister as well. I'm also hoping to get her involved in picking out things for the baby's room and decorating (as best we can in a rental house).
I have an 18yr old 15 yr old and a 13 yr old then my 10 week old.
Having my boys so close when i was younger i was so busy i didnt get to really sit back and enjoy a lot of one on one time with them i am finding having older kids with a baby has been fantastic they adore her and love to help out with her and the older ones can do there own thing and dont need me as much now so i have all the time in the world to soak up being a mum again after all this time.
My DH has a 9yr old from his 1st marriage when she comes over she dote's on ella like a little mum so ella is going to be spoilt by all her big brothers and sister and we also did the photo album missM mentioned Emily picks a few new pictures for her album every time she comes over so she can take them to her school and show her friends as she is an only child she was estatic to become a big sister.
i dont have any parenting experience in this but as a sibling i do (bro37, sis35, sis33, sis 24, me21) that the only thing mum needed to watch out for was a bit of bullying as we got older but other than that it was fantastic growing up, i am close with sis35 and sis24 mostly. it was also good for my mum cos my bro is 16yrsolder so was old enough to mind us properly and give mum a proper break when she needed it.
You'll probably have an adjustment period as you would expect, we did with DS1 & DS2 but i kinda put my foot down pretty quick as he was showing some jealous signs in the early days but DS1 has always been a bit like that so i kinda expected it.
Having a large-ish age gap between kids?
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks