If your kids are 4 years apart..

Meg&Jesse · May 2012

fill me in! DS has changed so much over the last 6 months that even the image I had of how things will be has changed. We just started to do quiet time instead of naps. I was actually a bit scared to do this, but yesterday with no nap made for a much easier bedtime and DS was in a much better mood this morning. I think this might help give DS some "alone time" with mom and dad when the baby is napping too. And DS continues to become more and more independent everyday. Just wondering what our lives will be like in a few months!

lady_tytah · May 2012

Would love to hear answer about this too. My daughter will be 5 when our son comes. She is already really independent....I am just wondering how she will be when baby gets here. She still takes naps but I will be phasing out before she starts K in Aug. Dum...dum...dum...lol Smile

Jelliebean1982 · May 2012

Awesome. I love having my kids 4 years apart. DD was old enough so that I could explain to her what would happen when the baby came. She's been a great helper too. She loves to grab stuff for me, entertain him, she helps keep things babyproofed (like her little toys), she's the pacifier monitor in the backseat, and she loves her brother more than anything else in the world.

Most of the time when they play they spend the entire time giggling at each other. It's ridiculously cute.

shannm · May 2012

It has been great for us so far. He loves to read to her:

MichMomofGirls · May 2012

Love it! DD still rests most days so they nap at the same time, but DD 1 gets up early or goes to rest later so we will read or play games, etc. DD 1 is such a big help bringing me things or keeping an eye on dd2 when I go to get ready or have to do something, and even in the car when she drops something. I love the age difference!!

capulet · May 2012

The age difference is perfect. DD is independent enough that she can do things on her own and help out with DS a little bit. And she LOVES him. I don't know if we're just lucky, but we've had almost no jealousy issues and she's never malicious to him at all. She's in preschool in the mornings and will be starting K full time this fall, so that makes my schedule easier than if they were closer in age. Now she does ask a lot of questions at this age - a month or two before DS was born she asked "Where will my little brother come out?" and "the hospital" was not a satisfactory answer. Big Smile

Harper'smom · May 2012

Well crap these responses don't make me feel good. I have a 5 week old and a almost 3.5 year old and it has been really terrible. So either we missed the sweet spot by 6 months, we are terrible parents, or DD is just a mess...

lady_tytah · May 2012

Harper'smom:
Well crap these responses don't make me feel good. I have a 5 week old and a almost 3.5 year old and it has been really terrible. So either we missed the sweet spot by 6 months, we are terrible parents, or DD is just a mess...

I seriously doubt all of that. Every kid is different. In this case, y'all arent having the best mix yet. Maybe when time goes by things will get better.

Nygirl76 · May 2012

I am interested as well. My daughter will be 4 in July and baby #2 is due first week of August.

As of now, she is not thrilled about the idea. I am wondering what August has in store for us in terms of her disposition and the adjustment.

blackbird01 · May 2012

We're at almost a 4 year age difference and DS has been great with his sister. He loves her and loves giving her hugs and kisses. He can also be a big help as far as getting me things around the house. However, we have dealt with some behavior issues as far as throwing things, being mean to the cat, throwing tantrums, etc. Nothing has ever been directed toward DD, but the behavior problems definitely ramped up once she was here. The first week was the worst and he's steadily been getting better. Most days he's pretty much his normal self now. I also appreciate that he's old enough to entertain himself a lot of the time and if he gets up a little earlier than usual in the morning and DD is still asleep, I can explain that Mommy is still tired and he'll lay in bed with me and let me get a little more sleep.

lenabug · May 2012

My girls are spaced by about 5 years.

For the most part, it is great. My oldest and the middle girl have some things in common, and play well together (although theydo bicker some, too). My middle daughter is soo loving with the tiny one; almost too helpful, haha.

I love the spacing of my girls, though. 4-5 years is old enough to be helpful, as well as old enough to engage in an activity for a little while alone.

I feel as though each of my older girls went through a rapid maturation when the next sister was born.

mrsmklynch · May 2012

MY DS stopped taking naps right before DD was born and I was TERRIFIED that I would never get to sleep again. It ended up working out ok though. He was old enough when DD came to just stay in his room for quiet time while she and I napped. He would watch movies and play quietly until I told him time was up. 4 years is actually a pretty nice age difference. He has been very helpful with throwing away diapers, hunting for lost pacifiers and sippy cups, and now (almost 2 years later) can help pack his own lunch. I'm actually a little more nervous now that the 2nd and 3rd will be just barely over 2 years apart!

Want a personalized experience?

If your kids are 4 years apart..

Re: If your kids are 4 years apart..

Choose Another Board

Search Boards