https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 24 May 2026 05:15:14 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2096919 Thu, 05 Mar 2015 15:21:00 +0000 miramira 2096919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My two brothers and I were all born at 5-year intervals. I'm the oldest and never got along with my first brother as a child but we have a good relationship now. I was nearly 10 when my second brother was born and I really love the fact that I can remember what he was like as a baby and got to help look after him.</p> <p>DH is close in age (2 years apart) with his two siblings but they don't really maintain any kind of friendships, whereas my siblings and I do. However, it probably has more to do with their personalities/dispositions and what their family dynamics are like.</p> <p>We were thinking of leaving a 5-year gap until we have another kid simply because I think it'd be slightly less strenuous at home during mat leave then for childcare if one of them is in school most of the day. My only concern is that I'd be 34/35. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2096762 Thu, 05 Mar 2015 13:49:33 +0000 SeptMomma12 2096762@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sister and I are 4 years apart and were very close growing up and are best friends now (33 and 29). I think it has more to do with personality than age. DH and his brother are 2 years apart and have zero in common. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2096698 Thu, 05 Mar 2015 13:12:13 +0000 PinkElephant 2096698@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Two of the women in my baby group had one older child apiece who was 5-6 years old. They were some of the most relaxed moms I knew. The firstborns were old bough to understand and get excited about a younger sibling, be genuinely helpful, and be out of the house gor school at least part of the day so the moms got to enjoy all the newborn moments. It's not the spacing I chose but I have to admit I see the benefits, and at times look at our family and think it would be easier that way! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2096677 Thu, 05 Mar 2015 12:57:52 +0000 babycanuck 2096677@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sister and I are 7 years apart - growing up we weren't close (she tried to be my mom, not my sister...different generations, schools, etc. Out of the house early.) but we became close when she had kids (33 and 40 now)</p> <p>My sister's kids are 14, 11 and 4, and they're all REALLY close. I think it's awesome. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2096609 Thu, 05 Mar 2015 12:21:00 +0000 Smurfette 2096609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@photojane: Totally agree. Closeness is all about personalities. It has nothing to do with the age difference. </p> <p>We are going to start TTC next year and the earliest age difference we will has is 4 yrs. I am not worried at it at all. I actually think it will be better. She is older and will understand more that Mama needs to give the baby more attention right now. And she can help out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2096596 Thu, 05 Mar 2015 12:16:34 +0000 photojane 2096596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think closeness is more dependent on personalities and family dynamics than age gap. My brother and I are 5 years apart, and were always super close growing up. We always played together when we were little, and then did dinner/movies/etc. together as we got older. We still see each other at least once a week! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2096577 Thu, 05 Mar 2015 12:11:59 +0000 .twist. 2096577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ladybee: bitches be bitches, yea? haha My brother and I are trying to work on it. It will never be the same though and that has been devastating to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2096035 Thu, 05 Mar 2015 06:56:56 +0000 MOMTOLITTLEB 2096035@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sisters family is similar to @DANDELION. She has two boys, 6 years apart and they adore each other. My older nephew is so helpful. I'm really impressed with how good he is with my son too, having a little brother has taught him a lot. We probably won't wait that long, more like 3-4 years due to our age but I can see the advantages to it </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2096026 Thu, 05 Mar 2015 05:50:00 +0000 Dandelion 2096026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sons are 6.5 years apart. It has been so nice. Older one is helpful and doesn't need me to do things for him. The younger is almost a toddler and adores his big brother. I didn't plan my life this way starting out, but I'm very happy with the spacing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2096025 Thu, 05 Mar 2015 05:22:07 +0000 autumnleaves 2096025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My siblings are 7, 10, and 12 years older than me. The ones who are 7 and 12 yo loved having a baby sister and made my childhood so much fun. My brother who is 7 yo was a best friend for me growing up. We are still close now but less so because his wife is his best friend and they live out of state. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2095940 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 23:16:43 +0000 StbHisMrs 2095940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have both variables, big gaps and very close together.<br /> My oldest will be 13 in April and he's 11 years older than our youngest and 9 years older than our middle girl. All of our kids (my two step-daughters) are 3 years apart, except the youngest, she is 22 months younger than her sister. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2095929 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 23:04:31 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2095929@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm the older sibling in a six year gap! Like anything else it has its pros and cons. I think we'll be closer as we get older because that seems to be what's happening so far. There was jealousy and bickering when we were litle but I don't think it was out of the norm. It all worked out fine and of course I can't picture it any other way! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2095821 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 21:35:51 +0000 ladybee 2095821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@.twist.: your first paragraph is my relationship with my brother. Best friends till his bitch wife ruined it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2095818 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 21:34:05 +0000 msplatypus 2095818@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have 2 brothere and a sister, I am 5 years older then the eldest, 13 years older then the next and... get this, 21 years older then my baby sister. My mom made us like built in babysitters. I love my siblings but it took a long time for me and my brother to be friends because of the age diffrence. I do love how much experience it gave me before I had a baby if my own. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2095805 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 21:24:28 +0000 DillonLion 2095805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If we have another LO, the gap will probably be this size since LO will be three this year and another is not on our radar at all currently </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2095789 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 21:16:07 +0000 petunia354 2095789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sister is 10 years older than me and we are best friends, always have been! I don't know if we just got lucky or if it comes down to our personalities. My brother is 6 years older and we are pretty close too, just in a different way. It was a little sad growing up because they didn't have tons of time to play with me but overall I loved having a brother and sister who were much older! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2095778 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 21:11:41 +0000 NavyRN2012 2095778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My oldest and middle are 7 years apart (9 and 2 right now). I love the age gap because my oldest is independent and able to help in small ways with his sister. We will see how close they are the older they get, but I've been really happy with the age gap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2095176 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 16:07:39 +0000 loveisstrange 2095176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My brothers are 7 and 9 years older. 7 years is fine, from a sibling perspective.... but 9 was really too much. I barely know my oldest brother.</p> <p>We're planning on 6-7 years, if we decide to go the baby route again. I dont think it's going to be an issue. I love the idea of having an older LO who is old enough to actually help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2095083 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 15:32:07 +0000 Orchid 2095083@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sis and I are 8 years apart and we are very close. My stepdaughter and LO are 10 years apart. I'm not sure how close they'll be; I'd guess not very close at all. It is, however, nice because my stepdaughter loves to help and play with LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2095066 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 15:27:21 +0000 CarrieLouWho 2095066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My brother and I are 6 years apart (he is younger). I think growing up, we mostly got along but had typical sibling fights. Then I went away to college and we didn't see each other as much. But now that we are both adults - It's a pretty nice gap. We aren't SUPER close, not into the same things and I think it's harder being opposite genders... but we would do anything for each other. He's always there for me and I'm there for him.<br /> I don't want the same age gap for my children just because of my age and DH's age... but I think 5+ can be fantastic! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2095036 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 15:12:13 +0000 Mamasig 2095036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sister and I are 9 years apart and we weren't close until I was finishing up high school. My brother and I were 4 years apart and that felt too wide also. We were never at the same phase of life at the same time. It's one of the main reasons I want my kids close together in age. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2095021 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 15:07:20 +0000 snowjewelz 2095021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm 7 yrs older than my sister and agree with most that we were not close as kids, but we got closer once she was in middle/high school and I was college/beyond. </p> <p>I also heard form another big gap sibling that she was close to her younger sibling b/c she was very motherly to him and helped take care of him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2095000 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 14:59:03 +0000 MrsMccarthy 2095000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't but I know two couples who do and they love it! Their older kids are great helpers as well as being really independent. My mom was 4 years from her older brother and although she was definitely the baby who saw him as a protector less than a peer they were already very close. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2094985 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 14:52:56 +0000 ShootingStar 2094985@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My brother and I are 5.5 years apart and not very close. I think some of it is age, some of it is that we're not the same gender, and a lot of it is personality. The age gap was hard because I went to college from 18-22 and only saw him sporadically. Then the year after I came home from college, he went college for 5 years. So for 9 or so years (when he was 13 - 23) we barely saw each other. I know that a lot of why we're not close now is not due to age, but I think the age thing compounds it.</p> <p>I hope to have baby #2 when DS is between 2.5 and 3. Age-wise I'd love for them to have a 2 year gap, but daycare around here is extremely expensive. Plus I'm not totally ready to be pregnant again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2094975 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 14:47:24 +0000 ScarletBegonia 2094975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: we are in the same boat re: child care costs - we need at least a 3.5 or 4 yr age gap. My sister and I are exactly 3.5 yrs apart and are great friends now! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2094968 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 14:45:49 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2094968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My bro and I are 7 years apart. We weren't ever particular close which may have been the age difference or personality difference. An ideal gap is 3 or 4 years. My friends closer in age to their siblings have better relationships with them- always have. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2094863 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 14:09:21 +0000 littlejoy 2094863@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: The financial piece is really hard, huh? I'm definitely not ready (baby is 14 months today), but I imagine when she's 2, I'll start having baby fever. We were just really financially ready for her, and I'd like to be in that place before having another. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2094859 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 14:08:22 +0000 littlejoy 2094859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@.twist.: My sister and I are 13 years apart. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2094843 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 14:02:56 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2094843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am closer to my older sister (8yrs) than I am to my younger (1yr) - but it has a lot to do with personalities and stages of life than anything else. I am not close at all to my brother (10 yrs) but we never lived together. </p> <p>One of the awesome benefits of a much older sibling was that my sister had an established home and career when I was in college, so I lived with her one summer instead of having to go home. She was someone who could guide me through life situations without being a parent or too close to the situation and having clouded judgement. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-age-gap#post-2094810 Wed, 04 Mar 2015 13:52:29 +0000 .twist. 2094810@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My brother and I have a 13 year age gap. We've always gotten along (although I did annoy him when I was really young), we became the best of friends when I was a teenager and into my adulthood. Although, recently his girlfriend is a psycho and has kind of put a wedge between us. But, that has nothing to do with our age gap. </p> <p>Our two older boys are 6 &amp; 9 years older than L. It's honestly been pretty awesome. They are both old enough to help, they know when they need to be quiet, they have fun playing with him. </p> <p>I know that L will eventually annoy the crap out of them (from experience!) because he does (and will continue to) want to do what they're doing and they're big boys and want to do those things on their own without a pest brother. I do hope though, that that is our only struggle, because I think that is a struggle at any age, more of a sibling thing, not so much an age thing. </p>