While conventional approaches are different and too compelling a more contemporary parent would determine sibling age gap, based on their own situation and future plans ahead. There is no ideal age gap between siblings, as no one size fits all here. What works for one couple or parent may not work for the other. So it is necessary to evaluate your situation well and the plan accordingly.
Finding the best age gap between children is not simple. And all our efforts go in vain as to each his own. While there is no the best age gap, there are still some pros and cons for every age gap between sibling. Also depends upon the age, lifestyle, health, financial, personal, economic and social situation of the parents.
Factors Determining Age Difference Between Siblings:
There are many factors that play a major role in determining the age difference between siblings. Some of these factors helping the parents in determining the age gap between children are:
1. Age of the Parents:
Specially, mothers, it is easier to conceive and carry on for a smooth delivery in ages until 33-34. So if a parent has their first child at around age 30 then chances are they may go for a 2 to 3 year age gap between children. For some more, a 5-6-year-old may also work. Some parents have their first child at age 38-39 and they are more likely to have a less than 2 year age difference in their children.
2. Financial Situation:
The financial situation also plays a major role in raising a child with all the goodness of the world does not come for free. While other aspects may be great to support a child with less cage gap from his sibling but finances make it difficult. Some parents may have just enough for a child and may work towards saving before planning a second or a third child
3. Social Situation:
When both the parents are working and there’s no one to take care of the children at home, like grandparents or extended family it’s difficult to plan 2-3 kids too soon. A support system if develops say with a nanny or a daycare around, it gets easier and the parents quickly decide for finishing off their family plan
4. Professional Reasons:
There are ample cases where women delay a second or third child to get stable career growth. Sometimes a promotion or a role enhancement may be foreseen which prompts delaying the plan for a second child
5. Health Status:
Women with diabetes, thyroid or other health complications may have to wait until they can plan a second child. Due to medical reasons, they can even plan with a 4-5 year age gap.
Best Age Gap Between 1st and 2nd Child:
There is simply no best age gap that justifies all parents. Let us know about the pros and cons of having age gaps 1-2 years, 3-5 years and 6 plus years. All three situations have had their share of successes and failures from case to case. And its all depends upon how open or adjusting I the first child, to be able to enjoy a smooth transition from being the only center of attraction to divided attention.
1. Age Gap of 1-2 Years:
It has been a very convenient procedure being followed around the world. Where grandparents and parents often come out being supportive of this age difference between kids. There are several pros and cons to this:
Pros:
- Easy to share the stuff at home as one baby just grew out of the clothes, toy and nursery items
- Parents are psychologically prepared as they just had a baby and did it all
- Elder kid may be happy to get a toy friend to enjoy all the time
- Health wise it may not have major changes in the mom as her body had just gone through it a few months back
Cons:
- It would be a lot of work.
- The kids may be jealous and not getting ample attention
- Elder kid is very likely to get more meltdowns and fight for attention
- Too tiring for a parent to change diapers of both the kids all day
- Financially also too consuming
2. Age Gap of 3-5 Years:
While most parents would appreciate this as a safe and fair enough bet to have an age difference which is not too big and not too short. The pros and cons of this are:
Pros:
- Elder kid may be fairly independent in terms of potty training and being able to fulfill their basic needs
- Elder kid may also find a great partner at home
- Elder kids may help with taking care of their siblings but under proper supervision as they are still not mature.
Cons:
- There may be sibling rivalry as kids are just in line
- Both kids may be too fight full or too demanding all the time
- Parents may have to become like a referee for all he did she did stuff
- Kids may feel missed out when there is another one like them seeking all attention
3. Age Difference of 6 Plus:
While I myself would vouch for this but it again depends on the situation. An age gap of 6 years is like thorough parenting for at least 15 years
Pros:
- Being able to be a part of all activities until kindergarten graduation of the elder kid
- The elder child is mature enough and may even be ready to take care of the younger kid
- There is no major financial burden as the spread of so many years may have saved ample
Cons:
- The kids may not play the games together as developmentally they are at very different levels
- The parents may be doing the detailing and being there around for almost a decade
The above compilation on What is an ideal age difference between siblings is to help your parents decide what age gap works best in your situation and how to go about it. As there cant be on fit for all to analyze your situation first and check for your plans ahead. Let the age difference between siblings be more about how your plan and see it work out well rather than what others have been saying or doing.
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