Have 6 and 4 Year Old Pregnant with Third

My oldest son is 8, my youngest son is 6 and I have a 16 month old girl, My boys just love there little sister to pieces and are big helpers. Honestly I love this age gap better than having my boys 20 monthes apart. Don't get me wrong, I love that they are close, but with my daughter I can enjoy snuggling her with out running after a 2 year old and like I said my boys love to help out with her, so it just feels like I am able to do more for all of them. She goes to bed early and I have time with the boys to read and chat. Its really a fun gap! Enjoy!!!!

That's exactly what my 3 boys. 7, 5, and 0 years apart. They are now 27, soon 25, and 20. My youngest looked up to his brothers. He's half like one, half like the other. And all 3 are 2nd degree black belts, and the older two agree the youngest is the best of all 3. It worked out just fine.
There are always certain behavioral patterns for the oldest, the middle, and the youngest. I'm a youngest, my dad was a youngest, and we tend to be the 'spoiled' one. That could be a myth too.
Don't worry about it. By the time the youngest is able to hang out with the older ones, it may not even happen. They form their own friends. The older two hang out more, but still form their own friendships. It will be a glimpse for you at their individual personalities. The oldest and his class seemed typically one way, the middle and his class seemed to be airheads (without meaning to sound critical; it just appeared that way; space cadets). The youngest has always seemed more grounded.
Nothing to be worried about.

My younger brother and I are 14 months apart and were very close when we were young. Our "baby sister" was born when we were 6 and 7. We ADORED her (and still do 22 years later!). We completely babied her (never letting my parents discipline her), in fact when she cried we would yell, "baby alert, baby alert!" and run and "rescue" her. Today my sister and I are very, very close and we all get along quite well. It would be interesting to get her perspective--I know she often felt left out when we told stories about our life from before she was born (we had lived on a ranch till she was a year old so it was like we had a very different life before she was born). She also got sad that she didn't get to go to dances and things like that when I was in high school (but it turns out that my mom snuck her into prom to take a peek around). She also a little lonely when I left for college and she was left to entertain our mom on her own. Overall, though, I think she likes her place in the family and I know that I can't imagine not having her! From the minute she was born she brought a really bright and special light into our family and really, really completes our family in an important way. She does get mad that we sometimes still call her "the baby" and that we do things like read menu items to her (like she's 4)...

Congratulations! I'm sure it's going to be amazing for everyone involved. I still look back to the days she first came home from the hospital--it was such a special time in our family.

I have exactly the same situation my kids JUST turned 7 and 5 and I am due in May with our third. We've decided that even though our older kids are so close, they are both going to be very excited when they find out that they are going to have a little brother or sister. Also, there is no possible way that I was ready to have another one when I already had two little ones and now this child will get more of my attention (and patience) that he or she deserves. I am looking forward to actually enjoying this pregnancy and baby, hope you do too! Congratulations to your whole family on your upcoming new addition!

Having another child will change the dynamics of your family, certainly, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything negative for your new one. Children tend to love their siblings (not always LIKE them, but love them!) whatever the age difference is.

My husband and I have a niece who has three girls ranging in age from 10 to 14 (maybe fifteen) - and a one-year-old daughter as well. Her older sisters love her like crazy. She may learn more about girls' sports before the age of five than most children do, but there's no problem with anyone feeling left out. The parents are seeing to that. So will you.

MM-
I hve three foster kids and they are reversed from yours 1, 2, and 7. The seven year old adores her two younger brothers and helps in taking care of them. If I am at home and say the two year old finds himself in a predicament (like trying to climb on something he shouldn't) I can ask her to keep an eye on the 1 yo for a few moments while I rescue him. I think the worst thing you have to be worried about is the youngest getting too spoiled ;-).

We had almost the exact same situation when our third was born. My oldest was almost 7 and my middle almost 5. I had the same fears at the time because my oldest two were so close. However, it has worked out in the end. Now that my oldest is 12 and in middle school he is in a different place and kind of left my middle son, who is 10, behind. As that happened gradually, my middle son and my youngest, now 6, have gotten very close. I always tell my middle son that he is lucky to have an older brother to do "big kid" stuff with and a little brother to do "little kid" stuff with. Best of both worlds! You didn't say what the gender of your kids are or if you knew what you were having but I am not sure that makes a difference or not. Of course there are always bumps here and there when the littlest doesn't get to do the "big kid" stuff but, all in all, we've had no problems. Good luck!

There is a 10 year gap between my youngest sister and myself. The age gap between she and our brother is 8 years. Between she and our oldest sister it's 13 years. We're all very close, and always have been. There are always going to be spats here and there, but I don't think it was from any age differences, just simple sibling rivalry. Everything will be fine in the long run, and the older kids may get excited and want to help out with the newest addition. Congratulations!

My oldest is 5 1/2 years older than our 2nd born and the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th are each 3 years apart. The 5 year gap was great in the early years because the older one was school age and then there was the babyi wasn't potty training one and have another in diapers. so it was convenient. Now they are 13 and 7 1/2. They've always shown a pattern of playing and then not getting along. Its great when they're getting along and playing, obviously! Lol. Mine is the oldest child though and yours will be the youngest. You may find yourself babying this third child. That's what i've done with my 3rd but he's also my only boy too. Your third child will probably want to do everything the older siblings do. That may be challenging but really its not bad. You'll see pros and cons just like with any age difference. I agree with the mom that you wont have the issue of jealousy or reverting back to being baby. Mine were the oldest 2 but i didn't have that.

Of course it will work out! In fact, the older ones will be helpful to you. Please enjoy and stop worrying!

I don't have any older kids (I'm a younger mom), but my sister and I are 6 years apart and were pretty close when we were young. I think it would be a different story if your kids were 10+ years apart, but when I was younger we could still play together and get along pretty well. I think it might become an issue when they get a little older (adolescent/teen years) but only because of different groups of friends/being in school will make them drift a little apart. I think they will all be fine! Good luck with your pregnancy!

We just had our second daughter when my first was 5 1/2. She adores her little sis! I think the gap is nice because jealousy isn't as big of an issue. I don't think the baby will end up feeling left out--more likely he/she'll be doted on! As for the long haul, my mom is closest to her youngest sister, and they're about 15 years apart, so I don't think the age difference is a big deal. We love who we love!

That is how the gap was with myself and my two sisters. We are all very close to this day. Congrats on the new baby!!

Congrats on #3! Anytime another sibling is added, the family dynamics will more than likely change. Since there are 5 years between 2 and 3, 3 might be more like an only child. My thoughts are to love on all of them and not worry about it.

Don't even worry about it. We have 3. Daughter is just over 2 1/2 years older than #1 son. Our third, a boy is just over 4 years older than #2. They were always good with each other. They boys always shared a room with bunk beds. Our youngest was reading before starting kindegarden because his brother always read to him when they went to bed.

The situation will be what you expect it to be. Expect them to be close, and they will be. How they get there may not be what you imagine, but they will be close.

Have fun and appreciate the help that the older 2 will be able to give you when you have that precious little baby. Be well, D.

My girls are 4 years apart and I like the age gap