Hi Jas

I think there are pros and cons for having children close together.

There is a month under three years between Oliver, Jesse and Charlotte. I like the idea of them growing up together and playing together and as they get older having similar friends and being able to take the two boys for instance to the same sports eg they might be in the same teams. It also means that within a very short space of time each of them will start school. This means that I can focus a little more on me and get back into career mode (of course while still keeping the kids as a priority) within a short space of time rather than having big gaps between the kids starting school.

DH has four siblings and he was four years old when his mum had number four and five (twins) so there were five children four years and under!! AHHHH - now thats scary. Anyway he is really close to all his siblings and as I said they are all close in age and are now all having children themselves which means our kids have lots of cousins of a similar age to them. Lots of people to play with.

What I can tell you is that it is bl@@dy hard work having them so close together in age and I worry that I am not giving each of them enough quality time. It means minimal me time (like non existent at the moment) but thats OK.

I love them all desperately and am glad they are close in age and Oliver and Jesse are starting to play together and it is so cute to watch them start to interact. I am sure they will have some doozy fights over the years but it is so nice watching them together.

I am sure Mel will have more to add. Good luck with your decision. Hehehehe - have an accident like I did with Charlotte and the decision will be taken out of your hands LOL!!!

take care
Jem