What is a good age difference between kids?
By kristypants
@kristypants (305)
Canada
November 29, 2006 3:05pm CST
I hope to have my second child by the time my daughter is 3, which means I have to get pregnant around her 2nd birthday. My reasoning behind this is by the time she's 2 she'll be a bit more independent and won't need quite as much constant attention as she does right now (hopefully!). I also hope that 3 years is a small enough age difference that they can still be close. My sister is 14 years older than me and although we're getting closer now that I'm older, I always wanted a sibling I could be close with and play with when I was little.
What do you think the best age difference between children would ideally be? Why?
3 people like this
17 responses
@magnet (2087)
• United States
8 Jul 07
My children are 3 1/2 years apart and that works out fine for us. Our daughter learns alot from her big brother and they get along very well.
@carmat (2849)
• Canada
20 Dec 06
Our kids are 4 years between the first 2 and about 2 between the 3 younger. I would have to say the 2-3 years is the best, when you get much older than that the kids are at such different development stages that it's hard for them to relate to one another.
@4monsters4me (2569)
• United States
30 Nov 06
My first 3 are each a year apart which worked fine for us. They are 6, 5 and 4 now and entertain each other. There is a 3 1/2 year age gap between #3 and #4 which I found much harder. Sure my older kids were more independent but so was I. I was used to being able to just throw shoes on and got out for a walk with the kids, or turn the TV on so I could take a quick shower or something. Then the baby came and I had to get used to sleepless nights again and having to constantly care for another baby. It was rough.
And not to dissuade you or anything but I have a feeling that if your daughter is needy now she will be just as needy at 2 or 3, if not more, because she has been used to your undivided attention her whole life. Adding a baby to the mix will probably throw her way off. I was lucky and my oldest was an independent baby. She was happy to just play alone. When I was pregnant with my son I had horrible edema and couldn't do much but lay on the couch. She would go off and play in her room for an hour or so then come sit by me if she wanted attention. It was a lifesaver. She was 15 months old when my son was born. She was good when she was 2 and her sister was born, too. My son was a little bit higher maintenance and wanted more of my attention after the baby was born (he was 13 months old).
Anyway good luck deciding.
@cass3forme (162)
• United States
5 Dec 06
My kids are 7, 5, 3. It's getting tougher as they get older with all the bickering and arguing (boy, girl, girl)... it's going to be pretty interesting to have 3 teenagers! It was easier when they were babies. I wouldn't have done it any other way though, I am one year younger than my one brother and 11 and 13 years younger than my older brothers. The cool thing about that was my Mom had live-in babysitters for us last two. LOL! I won't be doing that though, that would mean I would have more babies at age 42! AGH! LOL!
@MakDomMom (1474)
• United States
5 Dec 06
My kids are almost exactly 2 and half years apart. It's been perfect for us! My son was an infant while my daughter was gaining her independance of the bathroom, dressing herself, etc... We could focas on her while he slept or played on the floor or sat in the bouncy seat, whatever. Now that he is 2 almost 2 and a half my daughter is almost 5 and is teaching him the letters, numbers, colors, etc.. that she has mastered and/or learning in preschool. She even picks out his clothes for him in the morning, will get him dressed (if he lets her) and so much more. They are the best of buds. I pray that their relationship stays that way forever!!!
@ljmc24 (413)
• United States
5 Dec 06
My oldest was 2 1/2 when my youngest was born. Luckily I had her potty trained by then so that was one less one in diapers. But at 2 she gets really jealous of the baby. If I had a choice I think I would have liked her to be almost 4 before I had another one.
@vinaykant (812)
• India
5 Dec 06
i think atleast 3 year difference must be between kids it helps to parents to manage kids and there works.
@homer213hector (228)
• Romania
5 Dec 06
The best diference between children i would say is 1-2 years old.