Tell me about sibs who are 7+ years apart?

[Anonymous]

My sister and I are 7 years apart and we are super close as adults. I basically was an only child while in middle and high school, so it's funny that we have some completely different memories growing up. I'd so go for it.

[Anonymous]

My sisters are 10 and 12 years older than I am. They treated me as their little pet when I was really little and they were teenagers. It was a lot of fun. As adults, we are really close; the age difference no longer matters when you are in your 30s and 40s. Go for it!

[Anonymous]

My brother and I are 8 years apart and we've always been close. I was not terribly involved in sports, clubs, lessons etc as a kid, so I think that may have helped (more time playing together as kids despite age difference than I suspect other kids might have had since I was actually around in the afternoon). He also was mature for his age, especially as a teen, so that also helped I'm sure. We never really fought, because what would an 11-yo and a 3-yo fight about?

[Anonymous]

Op, the younger one will get dragged to the older one's activities. Make sure you do the reverse occasionally.

[Anonymous]

I have a much older brother and my cousin has a much younger brother. Both the older siblings are like stand-in parents for their younger ones. It worked well when we were younger, but not so well now that the younger siblings are adults.

[Anonymous]

Sorry I didn't reply to all of these! They are all wonderful insights. Thank you to everyone who has posted!!

[Anonymous]

I have two bios (4 and 5) and 3 step kids (17, 19, and 22). The 22 year old was leaving for college shortly after my 5 year old was born so there's not a super tight relationship there but they still get along great. Th 17 year old is still in high school and sees the bios all the time and they are SUPER tight. So a 12/13 year age difference there and there's a wonderful relationship. They are the same sex.

I think gender plays a role as well as how the household is run (how much opportunity the kids have to interact).

[Anonymous]

Update: We had a second! They are just shy of eight years apart. Already the bond is amazing. Hoping it continues to grow. Thanks again to everyone who posted here!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Update: We had a second! They are just shy of eight years apart. Already the bond is amazing. Hoping it continues to grow. Thanks again to everyone who posted here!!

Wonderdul news op. Thanks for sharing
I wish you a continued happy life with your family.hg

[Anonymous]

I was 2.5 and 7 years older than my younger sisters, respectively. My relationship with them was different, but in a way I was always a bit closer to the youngest. We rarely fought, there was just none of the sibling rivalry that existed between my other sister and I. As adults we are all good friends.

[Anonymous]

My DD is 7 years older than my DS. They are extremely close and love each other, however, since my DD went to college I do feel that they miss the daily interaction. Thankfully, DD goes to school closeby so at least they are meeting almost every week. We are a very close knit family and they never had any sibling rivalry. From DS's birth, DD behaved like her baby brother was hers alone and is fiercely protective. DS adores his big sister and when they are together they just hang with each other. It could also be their personalities and the dynamics of our family that they are so devoted to each other.

I have seen families where the siblings are thick as thieves regardless of age difference and otherwise too. How can you really predict what the relationship between siblings will be like? Nurture can play a role in fostering a healthy relationship but there is are components of nature and circumstance too. For us, it feels as if a 7 year difference was the best thing that happened to our family, but the truth probably is that we are the type of family that would have said the same thing regardless of any age difference. As parents we have enjoyed all aspects of having and raising children and I think that has rubbed off on everyone.

[Anonymous]

I have two girls, 8 and 18 months. They are as close as an elementary schooler and toddler can be. Of course it depends on their personalities, but also, a lot depends on how you raise them and how you foster closeness between them.