The trend of "split parenting," or having children with an age difference larger than 10 years, has grown exponentially in recent years. One mom who followed this trend, Dr. Rallie McAllister, discusses the finer points and the challenges of being a "split mom." Rallie McAllister, MD, MPH, is a family physician, co-founder of www.MommyMDGuides.com, CBR spokesperson and coauthor of The Mommy MD Guide to Pregnancy and Birth and The Mommy MD Guide to Your Baby’s First Year.

Benefits of Split Parenting

Different Needs Mean Different Challenges

• Because my sons are so different in age, they have vastly different needs. One way to meet each child’s needs is to find a way to fulfill them independently of the other, especially since they aren’t competing for the same attention in the way that three boys close in age would demand. For example, my older son, Chad, needs “been-there-done-that” advice and support in terms of his role as a new parent and spouse, balancing work and family, and planning for the future, but Oakley and Gatlin need me more for hands-on parenting and teaching them the skills they’ll need to be healthy, happy adults. This ranges from checking their homework, making sure they go to bed at a reasonable hour and holding them accountable for their household chores.

The Changing World of Medicine

• Medical advances are constantly in motion but it becomes even more apparent to a mom with children of varying ages. When my oldest son was born, there was no such thing as cord blood banking! But by the time I was pregnant with my two younger sons, the technology was really beginning to develop. I was glad to have a second chance to consider banking my babies’ cord blood, it really showed me things can change between pregnancies. Today, the medical advancements are even further along, with cord blood being used to treat a number of blood and immune diseases. For more information, visit www.cordblood.com

Parenting: Act 2

• Having children at different stages of your life provides the opportunity to experience the benefits of two very different parenting experiences! As a younger mom you have the benefits of having lots of extra energy to keep up with a child’s antics and adventures. While you may give up some of that endurance if you enter parenthood once again as an older mom, more maturity, wisdom and patience can help you to draw on the greater perspective that time brings.

• On this subject, maturity and experience can often result in a more positive and relaxed parenting style. As you have been able to learn from mistakes and see older children blossom into great people, you don’t have to micromanage your younger kids in ways you may have done with an older child. Having raised one son to maturity and seeing what a wonderful, responsible person he’s become, I realize being a good role model is one of the greatest gifts I can give to my children.

A Little Extra Help

• From a purely practical perspective, older kids can help out with younger ones!

By Dr. Rallie McAllister