Sibling Age Difference Planning

LaceyRene'

Hey, Im a newbie here! My hubby and I have two beautiful children and have just decided to take the plunge and have a third. This has been on our hearts for a long time and we finally feel the time is right so we are super nervous/excited! Our DS is 5 and our DD is 23 mths so hopefully when we do get prego they will be excited too.  My question is, how have you spaced out your kids (or how are you planning to) and have you had any issues with having a "middle child"? I am an only child and my DH only has one sibling so this is new territory for us.  Thanks for the info!

coopsbaby

When my #3 was born my ds was 5 1/2 and dd was 2 1/2. They were both excited and ds was such a big help. We never had any problems with middle child syndrome, in fact my middle was easily my easiest to raise and has turned out wonderfully (she just turned 18.) She's equally close to her brother and sister, and I think she got the best "position" in the family!

Twinkie0612

We are still working on #1, but I guess my biggest advice is not to get hung up on the perfect age difference because you never know what life has in store for you (we've been TTC #1 for 23 months).  

We have talked about trying for # 2 maybe a year to 18 months after number 1.  I'll be at least 31 when we have # 1, so that would make me at least 33 by the time #2 is born. 

anssett

I've seen this question a few times. The answers are pure anecdote and converge on 'doesn't matter'. Some people had close spacings they loved, others ones they hated. Same with large spacings. 'Middle child syndrome' can happen (in a negative way) under any circumstance. It all depends on the family dynamics. I loved being a middle child. *shrug*

Jelainey24

I'm a middle child, 4 years older than youngest and 1 year younger than older. I'd say I was easiest on my parents as far as troublemaking. Love both my sisters to death, though it wasn't always that way with either of them. Good luck on 3!

ChristyML

Well, I have one DS, and he is 9 months old. We've been trying since either January or February.

I don't want DS and his younger sibling to be any more than 2.5 years apart, and ideally, 1.5 years apart is plenty long enough for me. If I get pregnant this cycle, they'll be about 17.5 months apart.

jellybean529

My sister and I are 3 years apart and are BFFs now as adults but we fought like animals as kids

DH is the oldest of 4, 11 years between him and his youngest sister and they're all super close.

As for us...we were planning to be "one and done", but now that DD is older (she's 5 now) we're definitely planning to have another...just not until she's about 6 due to finances/health reasons.

 Like others said, I think any age gap has its pros and cons

TattooedLoisLane

We are still working on number 1, but I would love 2 under 2! Realisticly that may not happen for me, but a girl can dream! My sister and I are 8 years apart, and I feel like we missed out on relationship because of the age gap.

Luckie519

DS is going to be 3 on Monday. I am pregnant with #2 with an EDD of 03/07/2014, so they will be 3 years and 8 months (give or take) apart. It is a little more of a gap then we originally wanted, but I am fine with it!

CactusGirl

Well we planned on them being around 2-3 years apart. At this point if/when we get pregnant with #2 it will be a 3 year gap (maybe a bigger gap if it takes a lot more time TTC). As much as we planned, it doesn't make a difference until I actually get KU.

Rosebud2587

I really wanted 2u2 but that didn't happen cause DH deployed and before he left I still hadn't gotten my cycle back so no dice there. When DH gets back we plan on TTC right away so now they'll be closer to 2.5-3yrs apart. 

LaceyRene'

Thank you all for your thoughts!  I feel much better after reading your posts!  Good luck to all of you who are TTC! Sending "positive" thoughts your way .