People who got broody and wanted a late extra child and actually did it, do you regret it?

[Apocketfulofposies]

I have three and the youngest is about to go to school. Having the third nearly broke us - financially, emotionally, physically, matrimonially - and I can't believe we have got this far in one piece and soon all three will be in primary school. I am early 40s and even having the last one towards the end of my thirties was so much harder than the first at the beginning of my thirties, so I am not really being serious, and yet... that niggling feeling persists. Presumably this feeling will persist however many I have when the youngest stopped being a baby. But did anyone actually do it? And was it a terrible mistake? Talk some sense into me please!

I was 41. The only times I've ever second guessed myself is when I'm dealing with my teen girl and she's being a complete arse, as they can be sometimes. However I wouldn't swap her for the world. She was brilliant till 2 and then realized she could say no and throw a wobbler. We've been butting heads ever since. Such is life.

FWIW I was a 'late one' - not planned. It didn't bother me that my parents were older. But I do remember feeling quite lonely because once my sister got past the stage of viewing me as her little living doll, I didn't have anyone to play with.

That said, if my parents had made more of an effort to take me to play groups etc I doubt it would have been an issue. And I also became quite independent and a total bookworm as a result.

I think a lot of it probably depends on your outlook.

I had my youngest when I was 41. She’s 10 now, and the most delightful, adorable child. Not one second of regret here.

@paranoidgynodroid do you mind me asking how many others do you have and what’s the age gaps?