What is the perfect age difference between two siblings?

Question

If you were to have 2 children only and money wasn't an issue (like having to wait longer between them to buy a house, etc.) how far apart would you have your children?

I would like to have two children that are 2.5-3 years apart.

What is the "perfect" age difference between two siblings?

Answer 1

i say one to two years apart..i like them rather close in age..and if you have a third maybe 3 years after the last child..that would be cool...

Answer 2

My younger brother and I are 2.5 years apart and I'd say we get along pretty well most of the time. He's getting to the age where I can talk to him about more stuff and he really understands what I'm talking about. There is no perfect age though and there are different advantages and disadvantages to each. If your children were born 5+ years apart, then the older one might be a good person to give the younger sibling advice, whereas if they were born closer together, they may end up being closer, especially as they get older.

Answer 3

I'd say 4 or 5. Not too close and yet not too far.

My son was just going into kindergarten shortly after my daughter was born. It was much easier to tend to her needs during the day when my son was in school (kindergartners went for the whole day where we used to live). For one, I could give her the attention she needed without feeling guilty and two, my son didn't feel unwanted or unloved because he was in school and didn't see the attention I was giving her.

He adjusted fairly well when she was first born. The first few days were rough but by the end of the first week, he was perfectly fine with having a new baby. He was very helpful and very loving. He's 7 now, and his attitude hasn't changed a bit! My daughter LOVES her older brother to death and misses him during the day when he's at school. Her favorite part is going to pick him up in the afternoon because she knows he will play with her...And he does!!! They chase each other around and play ball and he pushes her on the swing...so far so good. I think they have a great relationship.

I really like it this way, especially now because she's hit the terrible 2's and I couldn't imagine having two little tykes, closer in age running around wreaking havoc! lol..I know it can be done and it's possible, but I would go insane.

I would think at 3 years apart would be much more challenging. When one is right about to be potty trained, another would be born. Then the older one would start regressing and wanting to go back to diapers because of the new baby. I've seen that happen before. Then there's the Terrible 3's and a new baby...ugh...hands full. And yeah, they'd be good playmates for each other eventually, but then listening to them as they get older about one stealing their friend from the other or boyfriend...oh my god. Drama.

Nope, I like the age difference in my kids...but what's perfect for me, probably isn't for someone else!

Good luck in your decision!

Answer 4

I don't know if there really is a perfect age between siblings. I have read however that the healthiest pregnancies are 18 months apart. That would put the kids just over 2 years difference. I think that is a good time.

Answer 5

3 years

Answer 6

I think 2 years apart is perfect because they are still close enough in age that they can play together and far enough in age that they still have their own friends when they start school. I personally was 5 years older than my oldest little sister and 15 years older than my brother and I have nothing really in common with them. As I was growing up I played by myself because they were too young to play with, basically they couldn't do the same stuff as me. My son and my baby on the way will be 18 months apart and I think that is good, of course I would have preferred them to be 2 years apart my husband had to leave to go to Iraq so we decided to move up the conception a few months.....

Answer 7

My opinion, and what we are doing it having our kids less than two years apart. (I wanted them closer, but due to c-section doctor advised to wait). I feel that the closer they are, the more they can grow together and learn together. I have noticed with family and friends, when a sibling is close in age, I always see a closer bond. Even with three kids, and one being three years older then the second two being only 14 months apart......the oldest is always the odd man out. So, that is my opinion! I have an 11 month old and I am 2 months pregnant now! :) Good Luck to you

Answer 8

3-5 years

Answer 9

It's said that boys mature slower than girls, so if your first is a girl - the age difference between her and your second (whether it's a boy or girl) should be minimum. If you're first is a boy, an age difference of roughly 2 years would be perfect. Three years or over, and they'll be a generation apart.

Answer 10

2 years. As they get older they will [eventually ha ha] be friends. BUT they will get into the same things at a slightly different level, but still think what each other is doing is cool [IE I have one in competitive swimming and one in hockey - and they WATCH each other]. They can share some friends, while having different interests. And they generally can do the same things without much trouble - swimming at the beach, skating... They like mostly the same age range of movies.

Yes I like my kids :P -- They are 6 and 8 and I think it is perfect!

Answer 11

Well, it just all depends on what you can handle.
My two kids are 10 months apart and I love it. They will grow up and like the same things at the same time like cartoons, playing in the dirt, dating, ect.
They will be closer and have a bond almost like twins have.
It does take a lot of patience but it is awesome to see them play together and communicate.
My son is 17 months old and my daughter is 7 months old.