How many kids you wanted when younger vs now

[BellamyBells]

Inspired by another thread.

I grew up in the 90s in London. In my friendship group (mixed, so some very wealthy and some working class) most of my friends were one of 3 of 4 kids! I think a lot of the mums were SAHMs which is obviously less common now (not saying this is a bad thing! Just a very marked change). Also houses way less affordable now haha, everything more expensive in general and everyone having kids later in life. So nowadays my friendship groups are choosing not to have kids or they have one or 2. I dont know anyone having more than 2!

As a kid I assumed I would have 3 or 4. I'm currently still on one but hoping for a second!

Did you end up doing what you thought?

I didn't want any as a teenager.

After meeting my husband I wanted 3 close together as I was one of 3.

After 3 rounds of IVF, 3 miscarriages at various stages of pregnancy including the loss of twin girls. I will be happy to stop at 2 children once my current pregnancy arrives safely in a few weeks.

From a teenager I've always said I wanted three children and all before 30. I've got a son (3yrs), a daughter (18m) and am expecting my 3rd baby (surprise sex) due on May 1st. I turn 29 on the 15th May. For me, it's turned out perfectly and just the way I imagined it would.

Wanted 4, had 4. I even guessed their birth order right! (G, B, B, G)

@Quail15

I didn't want any as a teenager.

After meeting my husband I wanted 3 close together as I was one of 3.

After 3 rounds of IVF, 3 miscarriages at various stages of pregnancy including the loss of twin girls. I will be happy to stop at 2 children once my current pregnancy arrives safely in a few weeks.

All the best to you! I went through ivf. I have never told anyone irl. I adopted. All good wishes for you and baby!

I always wanted 2 children so they could have a "playmate" however only wanting one now aha!

When I was 13 I wanted six.
When I grew up I wanted two.
I had one and was happy.

0 and still want 0, but have 2 :)

I was definitely, in no way, shape or form having children. No way.

I have 2

I always imagined having 3 but have stopped at 2. The thought of 3 older children still vaguely appeals, but I'm just not up for all the hard work of pregnancy/ birth/ babies/ small children again!

I never thought about it and I don’t have any. I think I always suspected it wasn’t going to be part of my life.

Wanted two, had two.

However after my second I pined for a third for a while. DH was firmly against. They’re teens now and think he was probably being sensible! .

I always wanted 3.

I'm 1 of 3. DH is 1 of 4. I've got 2. Still want another but they age gap would be too big.

I always wanted three.
But as it happens I’m 34 and don’t have any yet, so three might be rather ambitious, I’m still hopeful for two though.

I wanted 2 girls and I got 2 girls (at the same time)

Wanted 3, I was one of 2 and was envious of friends with multiple siblings.

Pregnant with my 1st and not planning any more just can't imagine doing this again

Imagined I'd have 4
I've got 2

And I don't want any more!

I wanted 6 and now have 5 plus a dog.

I should have just had the dog 😁😂

Up to 19: No children, never wanted them at all.

From 19: Two kids.

Had my first at 23: Complicated pregnancy, scary birth and recovery, underweight IUGR baby. Changed my mind to having an only child at the absolute fear of going through it again at higher risk.

Now: DD is 15 months, I love watching her play with her cousins but once we or they go home o can see she looks a little lost. I feel lonely for her. I would like another now; but the thought makes me feel incredibly sick and exhausted from worry. But I don’t want her to be an only child. I want her to have the love of a sibling. We’re semi-trying but every time we do try I have a small wave of regret afterwards. I’m hoping that when I do get pregnant my ‘well what goes in must come out’ mindset kicks in and the worry fades.

Have known for as long as I can remember that I wanted none.
I've been told millions of times that I'll change my mind.
I have none. I still want none.

I wanted 4 (until I had 1 when I wasn't sure if I wanted more!) now have 3 and 1 step child so I sort of got the number I wanted!

I wanted 3/4 and only have 1. I had a horrible pregnancy (HG) and my lo is just too much for me to manage. Me and DH decided on just one and to focus everything on the one. We can afford private education with 1. Pre covid, holidays were cheaper, activities are cheaper with 1, clothes, nappies, child care, housing situation and everything else is cheaper. We can provide a better future and focus all our energy on the one in our current situation.

I probably wanted 3 or 4.

Although I'd argue that all the larger families I know have two full time working parents. I don't know any SAHM with more than 2 kids.

The thought of kids absolutely revolted me until I hit around 22ish and developed a maternal instinct. Now I’d love 3

Absolutely wanted none, utterly vehement about that. I had not one maternal bone in my body when I was young.

I now have 5 DC!

I didn’t want any. I wasn’t child oriented at all. I was an only child who didn’t see family. Nor did anyone have any children. My mother was the same. Didn’t want any. Then one day woke up and wanted children. Same for me. As soon as I met my husband I was suddenly desperate to have children. I was also in a career which had lots of travelling over the world. Often for a very long time. So wasn’t doable.

I’ve got 2!