Should I leave a bigger gap between 3rd and 4th? I would love a fourth child esp as the older two pair off and play together. But it seems that most are happy with 3 children and that 4 pushes the boat out abit. I worry with three that I'll have a middle child esp as the age gap is small but that if I have a fourth with a small gap the third child will feel the most left out as she is our second daughter. On the other hand if the gap is too big would the baby feel cut off from the older 3?
2007-10-10 12:22:20 · 5 answers · asked by Cristy 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I probably wouldn't wait a very long time because the youngest would then feel very cut off from the 3 older siblings. BUT I think you still have some time before that would happen. If you were to wait until your 1.5 year old is 2, then get pregnant, that child would be almost 3 years old before the baby is born. Anything longer than that, and you will have a gap between the 3rd and 4th that will be isolating for the youngest child.
I was the youngest child of 3. The first one was 16 months (just under a year and a half) old when the second one was born. I wasn't born until 3 1/2 years later. As a result, the two older ones were very close, and I always felt sort of like a third wheel in our family. It was very isolating and lonely. When the gap is too large, the siblings just don't have enough in common to unite them, as children's interests and abilities vary so greatly as they age through early and middle childhood.
2007-10-10 15:07:59 · answer #1 · answered by Zigs 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a 25 month age gap between my children. I think it was a perfect age gap, my son has had someone to play all the time and I can tell they already have a special bond. Pros: My son is growing up with someone rather than being an only child. They're very close because they were born fairly close together. They have a special bond that I hope they will have their whole lives. Cons: Hard juggling a toddler and a newborn. Hard having 2 in diapers. Hard getting up at night with the baby while being too busy in the day time to get a nap. They love each other for the most part but there is jealousy and that is to be expected. I don't think his terrible 2's were that hard. He was very considerate when I was pregnant and after my daughter was born he was always trying to help any way he could with her.
2016-05-21 01:34:16 · answer #2 · answered by candi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have three kids, ages 6, 4, and 16 months. I am due with my next child in April, one month before my youngest turns 2, and one month AFTER my oldest turns 7. I say whenever YOU are ready is when you should try. They will all learn to get along. Too much of an ago difference makes kids feel left out, I think, and too little of one can be hard on you. Good luck!
2007-10-10 12:28:38 · answer #3 · answered by Franky 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ihave 5 sons For me 3 years gap between the 3 and the4 had been ideal Now they are all grown up and there have been never jealousy betwen the brothers but lots of love They are a clan
2007-10-10 14:51:57 · answer #4 · answered by lala 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i have a 15yr old 13yr old and an 8 month old yes big gap but my two oldest just adore the baby and would do anything for her. dont worry about it.
2007-10-12 05:26:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋