Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to have a third child

153 replies

Blossomtreetoken · 08/08/2026 18:50

Currently have 2 children. Ages 5 and 9. Both wonderful and healthy. Had the urge for a third for about 3 years now and I can’t shake it. I feel it’s crunch time, now or never. I’m 33. Husband is 38. Our children are our absolute lives and we are a solid family unit. We both have goods jobs (in our view) and earn about £100k between us (uk).

Am I being unreasonable to go ahead and do it?

This feeling has hung around for years but I’ve never had the courage to go ahead and do it. Mainly because it feels that I am risking our already perfect set up. Also concerned about age gaps.

if anyone can comment with any experience or thoughts that may help us bring this decision to a head and get either indeed try for a third child (am very aware this may not result in a child) or closure and we can move forward. In serious limbo.

OP posts:
Pleatherandlace · 08/08/2026 19:39

Go for it. You have the resources so why not. But sooner rather than later as the age gaps are already big.

OrangeSlices998 · 08/08/2026 19:37

Mine are closer in age than yours and we don’t earn quite what you do but our 3rd has been really hard. Hard pregnancy, difficult birth & difficult baby/feeding issues. I feel so pulled in all directions and find having all 3 on my own so hard (mine are 6.5, 5 & 1.5). I am so at capacity I hope I haven’t ruined the older twos childhood.

There is some weird bullshit out there that the 3rd one just slots in - not in my experience at least. Go in eyes wide open OP, I truly love my 3rd baby but it’s been really really hard.

ohsosomething · 08/08/2026 19:32

I’m a quit while you’re ahead type of person, however, I know plenty of families with three children and their lives are still ‘perfect’ as they love parenting.

If you have a secure set-up, emotionally and financially then I can’t see why you wouldn’t add to your brood if that’s what you and DH want.

Swipe left for the next trending thread