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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to consider having a fourth child?

117 replies

Ohbaby4 · 11/09/2026 22:58

WIBU to have a fourth child?

Probably. There are endless practical reasons not to. It would be more expensive, more tiring, harder to keep up the juggle of work and family life and everything else. I’m too old. What if it’s twins? What about when they are teenagers? The environmental toll. AI. Etc.

BUT. We love parenting, We can afford it. Four might be the magic number?

OP posts:
Loomis · 12/09/2026 08:50

I'm one of four and hated it so personally no I wouldn't, but that's me.

Original poster
Ohbaby4 · 12/09/2026 08:44

ToKittyornottoKitty · 11/09/2026 23:24

How old are you? Does DH want a 4th?

37, yes.

OP posts:
ShutteredUp · 11/09/2026 23:28

Why on earth t you want a fourth child? You say you love parenting, but with a 5, 3 and 1 year old, you have huge swathes of parenting to come with the children you already have.

EverMerge · 11/09/2026 23:27

Ohbaby4 · 11/09/2026 23:08

No, of course not.

But,m I do wonder whether it might be madness to have four. I thought I could rely on MN to really hash out all the potential rational downsides, including any I haven’t thought of.

Show quote history

The obvious issue is your next child might be the reason your family is never the same again.

After working in a school and seeing so many children with issues I’d have probably been too scared to have even one back in the day!

Theextraordinaryisintheordinary · 11/09/2026 23:24

Laundry +

ToKittyornottoKitty · 11/09/2026 23:24

How old are you? Does DH want a 4th?

BigWig78 · 11/09/2026 23:22

Go for it. You can’t be that old with your kids so young. You’d need a bigger car though if you’ve got a 5 seater

Our fourth is Fab and we’ve never had a moments regret about having four kids.

Fifthtimelucky · 11/09/2026 23:21

Creamice · 11/09/2026 23:05

Loved being from a family of four. Would have had 4 if I could have afforded it and had got married younger.

Same here!

Craftycariad · 11/09/2026 23:18

I had 6, 4 is definately easier than 3 for a host of reasons. How big your family is should be a decision made by just 2 people. My youngest 2 were 10 months apart ,irish twins as they say. So when the youngest was born I had an 8 , 6, 4, 3, 10 months and new born, loved every minute of it. Enjoy your family what ever you decide

Original poster
Ohbaby4 · 11/09/2026 23:08

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 11/09/2026 23:05

Exactly. Are you really going to choose whether to have another baby based on what randoms on the Internet say OP?

Edited
Show quote history

No, of course not.

But,m I do wonder whether it might be madness to have four. I thought I could rely on MN to really hash out all the potential rational downsides, including any I haven’t thought of.

OP posts:
Gqqkkq · 11/09/2026 23:06

I am one of 4.
And I would not do it.

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 11/09/2026 23:05

Warmlight1 · 11/09/2026 23:01

Be your own point of reference. Do what works for you not the next family. X

Exactly. Are you really going to choose whether to have another baby based on what randoms on the Internet say OP?

Creamice · 11/09/2026 23:05

Loved being from a family of four. Would have had 4 if I could have afforded it and had got married younger.

Original poster
Ohbaby4 · 11/09/2026 23:04

3girlsmama · 11/09/2026 23:02

How old are your other 3?

5, 3 and 1

OP posts:
Katemax82 · 11/09/2026 23:03

I had a fourth child so obviously am on the side of go for it if that's what you want

3girlsmama · 11/09/2026 23:02

How old are your other 3?

Warmlight1 · 11/09/2026 23:01

Be your own point of reference. Do what works for you not the next family. X