MEET THE DICKSONS
There might be a gap but they’re all my babies
Kirsteen Dickson, 43, is mum to Hamish, 16, Millie, four, and Alfie, two.
When Kirsteen and husband Jonny, 48, got together 10 years ago, they didn’t think having children was on the cards – but now the couple couldn’t be happier with their modern family.
“I was only 27 when I had Hamish,” Kirsteen explained. “Me and my partner split up but still managed to remain good friends, and I became a single mum when Hamish was about 18 months old.
“Jonny and I had worked together for a long time before it grew into a relationship, and we eventually got together when Hamish was six.
“Now we’ve been together for ten years.
“We tried for a long time to have children but they didn’t come along.
“We put it down to the fact that we were both a bit older, and accepted the fact we might not get the chance to grow our small family.
“Then five years ago we decided to get married.
“Everything was booked but suddenly we found out I was pregnant with Millie.
“It was totally out of the blue and we couldn’t believe it.
“There I was, 15 weeks pregnant, walking down the aisle. Luckily my dress still fitted.
“Hamish, 12 at the time, was delighted when we told him.
“Not even a year later, we had another surprise when Alfie came along.
“We hadn’t planned on having another child, but it was a blessed surprise.
“Although there’s a big gap in their ages, Hamish loves his younger siblings. He’s very caring and considerate, and I think it has also taught him a lot of responsibility compared to his friends.
“However, I’m conscious not to use him as another parent – he’s a teenager and needs to enjoy that time and have his own life.
“It can be difficult to juggle the kids’ different needs at times – I’ve found myself having a serious conversation with Hamish about his future and university while I’m changing a nappy or trying to keep Millie entertained.
“But it can be really nice having an age gap, too – as a parent you get to experience so many different stages of life at the same time.
“You are also more relaxed when you have a child later in life. Younger friends comment on how laid-back I am.
“I think it’s because I’ve already got one child to 16 without any major disasters, so I know what to expect!
“At the end of the day there might be an age gap, but I don’t really think about it.
“They are all my babies.”