f you’ve ever refereed a shouting match over a toy, a seat in the car, or who breathed first, you might be the proud parent of siblings close in age. And while parenting multiple kids under the same roof is never a picnic, it takes on a unique intensity when their birthdays are separated by a year or two—or less.
It’s beautiful and brutal all at once.
They’re best friends and worst enemies before breakfast.
Having kids close in age means managing constant negotiations: who gets the first cookie, who gets the window seat, who gets the bigger slice of cake. And while squabbles are normal, the daily competition can leave parents feeling like full-time referees.
So how do we handle it without losing our sanity?
Start with one rule: Everyone deserves their moment.
It’s easy to accidentally group your kids together in everything—activities, toys, punishments, even praise. But individuality matters. Maybe that means signing one child up for soccer while another tries coding camp, or simply carving out solo time during errands. Giving each child a moment to shine helps curb the constant comparison.
Another game changer? Teaching teamwork early. Nothing breaks the “me first” cycle like shared goals—whether it’s cleaning up before movie night or helping each other learn something new. Kids who work together learn that life isn’t always a race.
And remember, it’s not just about the kids. Parents of closely spaced siblings deserve support, too. One of the best resources I’ve found is this piece from BeAKid: “The Triumphant Triad: Thriving as a Parent of Three Close-in-Age Kids”. It’s packed with firsthand insights from parents who’ve been in the trenches.
Bottom line—when it feels like your living room is part daycare, part boxing ring, remember: the closeness that drives you nuts today will be the foundation of lifelong friendship tomorrow.
And that’s worth every referee whistle.
