FollowTips on Raising Children with a Wide Age Gap
If you look back a few generations ago, you will remember that families consisted of several kids that were spaced about three years apart from one another. However, it seems that these days there is a bit more flexibility when it comes to planning a family. This means that some families may have children that age ages 4, 6 and 7, while another family may have children that are ages 14 and 6. Here are some tips of raising children with a wide age gap.
Allow for Flexibility– One of the main challenges of parenting children that are several years apart in age is that they are bound to have their own set of interests, activities and needs. For instance, your 10-year old has baseball practice at the same time your toddler takes their nap. What do you do in the case? Understand that you need to be flexible and that things are not always going to be easy. Your toddler may have to nap in the car while your other child is at practice.
Plan Various Activities That Include the Whole Family– Planning family activities for your kids with a large age gap can be challenging at times. Your 8-year old daughter loves Dora but your 3-year old son would rather watch Sesame Street. Your teen probably doesn’t want to want the movie Frozen any more than your younger kid wants to play the newest video game. Because of this, you need to plan activities that the whole family will enjoy. For instance, hikes and nature walks are something kids of all ages will love. Other activities to consider include day-trip to an amusement park, spending a day at the beach or lake and taking in a baseball or football game on a Sunday afternoon.
Plan Alone Time with the Older Children– With families that have children with a large age gap, most of the attention from the parents go towards the younger kids because they have the most needs. While older children don’t have the same needs, the fact is they are still kids nonetheless. It is important to have some one-on-one time with them. Even the simplest activity like going out to lunch, can mean a great deal to an older kid.
