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My sister and I were 5 years apart. We were not close at all growing up--in fact, pretty much hated each other until she was in college. I think this had more to do with our personalities than with our age gap though--so not something you can predict! We are close now at 34 and 29.

We're in the same boat, but looking at a 3+ year gap. I'm currently job hunting to find something that will be a bit better/more flexible and also considering a move to my hometown because daycare costs would be significantly cheaper.

Regarding the age gap, my husband is 8 years younger than his sister. His mom was a SAHM because they could not afford childcare.

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.

Our two older boys are 6 & 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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

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!

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)

My sister's kids are 14, 11 and 4, and they're all REALLY close. I think it's awesome.

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.