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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Another baby or a puppy?! Can a pet ever replace that potential extra child?

28 replies

Nona1234 · 20/08/2025 09:17

We have two young children and have been contemplating a third on and off for a few months. I'm approaching 40 and it feels like a now or never type thing, especially if we don't want a large age gap.

I know this has been done to death on this forum (!) but I'm interested in hearing opinions from people who went for that third baby and those who decided not to. Our lives are finally becoming easier and we're extremely lucky that our two kids are healthy - not a given with our family history. Is it worth another roll of the genetic dice or should we call it quits and I pour my extra maternal feelings into a puppy?!

A third child would mean an upheaval for us as we may need to move house and get a new car. Financially it would be tight but doable. I can't shake the feeling that someone is missing but would that be filled with a pet? That's the AIBU really. Pets are easier than children - emotionally and financially - but can they ever temper that feeling of wanting another child?

Thoughts on a postcard please!

OP posts:
takealettermsjones · 20/08/2025 09:24

I have three kids and it's perfect for me and my family. Personally at 40 I wouldn't have another, but again that's my own preference. You say your lives have become easier, which is a good thing that I would be cautious of giving up. How old are your kids? Because you have to factor in how busy the school years are, then the stress of parenting teenagers, not just the cute young years!

lochmaree · 20/08/2025 09:23

I got a cat last year, maybe partly for the same reason 🙈 he is lovely and I love him to bits. However newly pregnant with #3 and mostly excited with some apprehension 😂

Ohlifelife · 20/08/2025 09:22

Our lives are finally becoming easier and we're extremely lucky that our two kids are healthy - not a given with our family history.

To my mind this would be the key factor in deciding not to have another child.
Whether you go down the route of having a pet or not if there is a real chance of a baby being born with life limiting health issues then I would not take the risk.

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