Age Difference? - How far apart?

PrairieMom wrote: What do you guys think is a good age gap for your children?

We planned on 3 years apart so they would still be pretty close together in age, but would only have one in diapers at a time. Also, the oldest is at an age where he can be pretty independant and will be able to help out.

Do you think closer in age is better, or farther and why?

kimberley replied: there is 18mos between my boys and it was rough at first, but i personally think the timing was perfect. Jacob was still small enough that he wasn't in his terrible twos and he still napped and was compliant most of the time. he was more curious than threatened by his little bro. he loved helping bring me diapers and show toys etc.

there is 5yrs between James and Jade. it was ok at first but now that she is a toddler.. they basically hate each other James is still too young to understand she is a baby and doesn't mean to annoy or hurt him and he just makes her cry all the time lately.

there is 2.4yrs between Jade and Kaleigh and it is hard. Jade still wants to nurse and have all my attention and throws terrible two fits when i am not accomodating her needs at that exact moment. i don't recommend this spacing.

JP&KJMOM replied: Mine are 2 and a half years apart. We waite dto have Karlee until my mom retired so she could keep her.

mckayleesmom replied: Well....we didn't plan on them being this close together, but now Im glad that Russell came earlier then expected. They are very close and will do everything together really close too.

We origionally planned Mckaylee to be about 4 when we tried again. Then we had just talked about maybe starting when she turned 2...little did I know that when we had that conversation I was already about 4 months pregnant.

Russell was born 3 months before Mckaylee turned 2.....For 14 more days...they are 1 and 2

C&K*s Mommie replied: For us, although neither child was planned by 'us' per se. We are happy that they are close in age as they are. They are exactly 17mos apart, but growing up I thought the ideal age was 2-3 yrs apart. I could not be happier that they are so close in age, and so close in relationship, that one constantly talks about the other when they are missing, or they do not have as much fun or even eat sometimes without the other being around. It has worked in our favor, like Kimberly said, because they both still take naps together, they are into similiar things esp now that K is (nearly) 2 her interests have broadened moreso now than when she was 2mos. They are great together, and I would not go back to change it, if I could. But that is only me what worked in favor for our family. To each his own.

MyBlueEyedBabies replied: Katy and Matt are 15.5 months apart-hard the first few weeks but aawesome since then
Kids are going to be 2.5 and just shy of 3 when this one is due...I have no idea how i will like this spacing but It's a little late to worry about it now. I guess it doesn't really matter how close or far they are they are they could be best friends or not like each other ant any distance.

My3LilMonkeys replied: We wanted them about 2 years apart. My Dr. told me to go off the BCP at least 3 months in advance and I got PG the 2nd I stopped taking the pills so they ended up 17 months apart.

It's a pretty good age split. We're planning on waiting until Madison is at least 2 1/2 before having another though.

MamaJAM replied: The age gaps for us are --

DD#1 & DD#2 - 4 years apart (almost to the day)
DD#2 & DD#3 - 2.5 years apart
DD#3 & DS#1 - 3.5 years apart
DS#1 & DS#2 - 1 year apart (to the day)

For me...I like the closer-together gaps better. It was just easier for me to handle. The 4 year gap between my first two kiddos was really rough since we were totally 'done' with the baby thing and thrust right back in. In reality - we hoped for about a 2-2.5 year gap between all but the last two....but secondary infertility had it's own plans for us. And, yes, DS#2 was planned -- actually the 12 month age-gap is working out really well for us. The boys are best friends and keep each other entertained.

ilovemybaby replied: I think 2 1/2 to 3 years. Abby will be about 2 years and 3-4 months.

Edward's Mommy replied: Chris wants them 1 and 1/2 apart, but we won't be able to do that because of finances. When Edward turns 2, that is when we decide to start again. Maybe 2 and 1/2. But I want 2 -2 and 1/2 years between all my kids! My brother and I are 3 and 1/2 years apart and we are really close. We could be closer but he's almost 19 and trying to find who he is.

Bee_Kay replied: Ashley and Tyler are 18 months apart. I thought, in the beginning, it would be harder than it actually was.
I am happy the span between them is what it is. They have grown up really close and have an incredible bond

Momof3inMe replied: My boys are 3 days shy of 3 years apart. This worked out grat for me and they are close now.

Carter and Em are 5.5 years apart.

Both of my boys are great big brothers and love Em very much and both play great with her.

ashtonsmama replied: Wellllllll....

We THOUGHT we wanted them maybe 2 or 3 years apart, but I guess God had other plans! So they'll be about 11 months apart...

Crystalina replied: Izabella will be five next week and Evan is 2, (3 in Aug.)

Nina J replied: There will be 2 and a half years between Emily and baby #2, we'll just have to wait and see if it all works out well

luvmykids replied: Ours are almost exactly 2 years (between the twins and Macie). I love it, we didn't get so far out of babyhood that it was a huge shock, and for a lot of the time in the future they'll be in the same schools, activities, at the same time etc. And once we're done with diapers, we are ALL done forever, same with carseats, etc.

Heather77 replied: My first two are 3 years and 4 1/2 months (about), apart. I love the spacing! I wanted my kids 3-4 years apart so that's basically in the middle. My second and this baby will also be about 3 years and 4 1/2 months apart (assuming baby doesn't come early).

MM'sMama replied: I don't think there is any right or wrong age difference I guess it just depends.

Brice and Caroline are a little over 4 years apart. So for me I think 3-5 years.

My older brother is 11 years older than me.

EvesMom replied: I have 3 brothers and it's a 2 year spacing between us. We are all real close. I only have 1 child so far, but I'd like about a 2 year spacing.

jacobsmama replied: Well jacob turned 2 in january and I think we will be TTC by end of summer so I think 2-3 years is good. I agree with Prarie mom only 1 in diapers.

Brias3 replied: My only planned child was Aliyah, my five year old. She's almost exactly two years younger than Ryan. We were not even sure if we were going to try for a third and if so, we were going to wait another year or so with the third but I found out I was pregnant with Mason when Aliyah was about 2 1/2.

Chiflata2003 replied: We started trying to conceive just after my dd's 2nd birthday because we think 2 1/2-3 years apart is a good age gap. My dd is now 2y9m old and we are still trying.

Josie83 replied: Well we have one at the minute. If we have another (and I don't think I'll hear the end of it off my husband if we don't) it will not be for at least another year when I'm finished with school (well if things go according to plan). That would mena there'd be about five years plus between Cassie and the next one. Ideally I suppose I would have rather had another baby when Cassie was smaller, but obviously that's just the way things turn out. I know she'll cope fine if and when we have another one! I have two brothers and two sisters and we're all pretty close in age - I hated it when we were younger but loved it when I started to get older!! Whatever works for you I suppose!! xx

holley79 replied: Well DH and I were talking about this last night. We are thinking one more. Probably when Annika is 2 or 3. There is two years between each of us kids in my family.