what do you think a good age break is for kids?

I was listening to a woman the other day that said her kids were 6,4 and newborn. I thought that was really good bc she can take care of the newborns while the other 2 are in school. What do you think is good and why?

Re: what do you think a good age break is for kids?

I think 2 years apart is good so that they are close and can play together. My brother is 7 years older & my sister is 5 years older. We were still pretty close growing up, but I wished I had siblings who would have played with me more. It's probably is easier for the mom to have them further apart so that maybe she has some little "helpers."

Re: what do you think a good age break is for kids?

2-3 years. They are still close enough in age to be close friendship wise. One will hopefully be potty trained, so you only have one in diapers at a time. The older toddler can sort of do for themselves while you tend to baby.

I think 5 years is a little far. I'm 5 years older than my brother, and he was always the little brother and we never really hung out or played. However, my sister and I are 2 years and we always played together and my two brothers are 3 years apart and they always hang out together. 5 years is too big of a gap to be interested in the same things at the same time.

Re: what do you think a good age break is for kids?

Every situation is different.

If I wait 2 years to have another child it will be way too long.

In our family 5 kids are each 2 years apart and then between my sister and me we are 5 years apart. We are closer than any of my siblings.

So I don't think there is one "right" answer to that.

Re: what do you think a good age break is for kids?

My older sister and I are 2 years apart and my younger sister and I are 5 years apart and we are all the best of friends.

DS & DD are 8 years apart and I think it's great.

Re: what do you think a good age break is for kids?

All the kids in my family were close. 4 kids in 5 years. I wanted to be able to keep my babies close in age, but it's not going to be that close.

My thoughts:

Close Age
Pro: more likely to be "friends" with each other
Con: multiple kids in college the same time

Separated by Years
Pro: more attention & time to each kid as babies
Con: not likely to be involved with each other

These are just my OPINIONS and do not reflect any kind of facts what-so-ever. I know people in both situations, so it's just my own observations

Re: what do you think a good age break is for kids?

Depends on your priorities and how much support you have for child care. If you are watching your daughter alone most of the time I'd suggest spacing by at least 2.5 years. Any younger and you are going to be very limited in activities unless the older child is very, very mellow. Before that age most toddlers still need to be very closely supervised for safety. After that age most toddlers will start playing on their own for more time, are less likely to get into trouble quickly, and start to understand waiting their turn. If your husband works a straight 9-5 job, helps in the mornings and helps at bedtime, I could understand having the second sooner.

Re: what do you think a good age break is for kids?

I don't know what's best, but I know for us we're looking at 2-3 years. We will probably start TTC around DS's 2nd b-day.

Re: what do you think a good age break is for kids?

2 or 3 years apart is great cause when one is in school, you have time to deal with the baby. Julia will be almost 3 when my next one is born, and she will be in school, so I will have time to be with the baby.

Re: what do you think a good age break is for kids?

Mine will be 20 months apart and I wish they were closer in age.

My sister and I were a year apart and had a pretty close relationship.

My DH and his brothers are 2 yrs apart and then 7 yrs apart. He didn't really know his youngest brother. Only within the past 8 yrs or so have they become close.

Message edited 9/25/2007 11:41:16 AM.

Re: what do you think a good age break is for kids?

I'm shooting for 2-3 years apart too.

Re: what do you think a good age break is for kids?

I think 2 years apart for us is ideal...I think we will TTC after MIkayla's first birthday...in like 6-7 months from now

Re: what do you think a good age break is for kids?

I think about 2 to 2.5 is ideal.

Re: what do you think a good age break is for kids?

hopefully 23 months

I was planning on 2-2.5 yrs.

Re: what do you think a good age break is for kids?

Posted by -Lisa-

hopefully 23 months

I was planning on 2-2.5 yrs.

Re: what do you think a good age break is for kids?

apparently research was done on this regarding children's adjustment to siblings, etc and "they" <--- whoever they is that 2 years is the optimal time.....

honestly- i don't know if that is true- but I think 2 years sounds like an OK amount of time- although i'll take whatever i get.

Re: what do you think a good age break is for kids?

Mine will be 19-20 months apart and I would have liked them to be a little closer but I think this is good too.

Re: what do you think a good age break is for kids?

I think every situation is different, however, my mom had me and my brother 2 years apart, then my sister came along 8 years after my brother. My sister and I are 10 years apart, and I was like her 'little mom' when I was young. My sister and I have always gotten along and are pretty close (as much as a 27 yr and 17 yr old can be).

Message edited 9/25/2007 1:56:08 PM.