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Original poster

How many kids do you have and would you have that number again if you could turn back time?

201 replies

Fishandchipsatthebeach · 05/09/2023 12:01

I’m not asking if you’d have your actual kids with their identities again. But would you have the same number again if you could start your family from scratch?

I have one and love having one. She’s only five though so my views could change

OP posts:
SylvanianFrenemies · 05/09/2023 13:55

We have 2.
Works really well for us but we wanted more. It didn't work out, probably because of age.

Yahyahs22 · 05/09/2023 13:55

2 and I want 1 or 2 more

olderbutwiser · 05/09/2023 13:57

2; ideal would be 4 but with a different father.

And I've only decided 4 is a good number since my two have grown up and left home.

Interested in this thread?

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Families
donkra · 05/09/2023 13:57

waterlego · 05/09/2023 12:16

I have two and would do the same again. I actually wanted three but DH vetoed a third. I was sad about it at the time but he was right!

^this. I wanted a third after #2 but it was just hormones. I'm glad DH said no.

felisha54 · 05/09/2023 13:59

I have one (dd12) and would have one again. It's wonderful. Dd does not want a sibling and loves being one. I watch friends with multiples struggle emotionally, financially, practically and career wise and I am grateful my life is easy in comparison.

Sadless · 05/09/2023 14:00

I have 4 would have had another but youngest was born with special needs. Hes now 11 years old and I feel too old.

Desecratedcoconut · 05/09/2023 14:01

I'm actually really surprised to see this many posters wish that had more than they do. So much of the narrative about the declining birth rate is dominated by the idea that it is the product of lack of desire among women to have more - rather than factors conspiring against them.

YouHoooo · 05/09/2023 14:07

Desecratedcoconut · 05/09/2023 14:01

I'm actually really surprised to see this many posters wish that had more than they do. So much of the narrative about the declining birth rate is dominated by the idea that it is the product of lack of desire among women to have more - rather than factors conspiring against them.

I suppose there’s a difference between ‘I wish I’d had more’ and ‘I wish I’d had the money/ right man/ career path to have more, but fewer is right for my actual circumstances’.

ForestofBears · 05/09/2023 14:15

I have 2 and would do again. I didn’t want just 1, but didn’t think I cope with more than 2.

Parky04 · 05/09/2023 14:17

I have two and would now have none. Way too much hard work!

onlylovecanhurtlikethis · 05/09/2023 14:39

I have 3 - singleton and twin - I would have 4 - I'd even have twins again 😂

ToddlerSAHM · 05/09/2023 15:40

We just have one at the moment and I want to have another one when he’s in school 🥰

padsi1975 · 05/09/2023 15:45

Have 3, wanted 4. Was a better parent to 1. If doing it again, I'd possibly stick to 1.

padsi1975 · 05/09/2023 15:47

Or start earlier and have 4. My heart says 4.

Snittle · 05/09/2023 15:50

NeedMyDress · 05/09/2023 12:27

Have one and on the fence about trying for a second. Feel like I'm only considering it because it's "the norm" and I'm socially conditioned to it!

I keep TTC each month and hoping I've been unsuccessful- then I won't have any guilt for not trying but will be able to stick with one (I'm aware I'm mad).

Not that you want or need permission from a stranger on the internet, but just stick with one!

I have no idea why people have more, I’ve never seen anyone out and about looking happier for having multiple children, they just look more stressed and harried. All of my friends with one seem to have better balance than those that have more.

I have a sibling and it hasn’t really enhanced my life (in fact now I’ll have to share any inheritance so long term it might have detracted 😜).

I’m a huge advocate for one and done.

Snittle · 05/09/2023 15:50

NeedMyDress · 05/09/2023 12:27

Have one and on the fence about trying for a second. Feel like I'm only considering it because it's "the norm" and I'm socially conditioned to it!

I keep TTC each month and hoping I've been unsuccessful- then I won't have any guilt for not trying but will be able to stick with one (I'm aware I'm mad).

Not that you want or need permission from a stranger on the internet, but just stick with one!

I have no idea why people have more, I’ve never seen anyone out and about looking happier for having multiple children, they just look more stressed and harried. All of my friends with one seem to have better balance than those that have more.

I have a sibling and it hasn’t really enhanced my life (in fact now I’ll have to share any inheritance so long term it might have detracted 😜).

I’m a huge advocate for one and done.

CardiganBardigan · 05/09/2023 15:54

I have three and would have liked a fourth if I was a bit younger and money was no object.

As it is, age-wise and finance-wise our limit was three.

AnythingILike · 05/09/2023 15:55

Needmorelego · 05/09/2023 12:03

I have 1 - would have liked more. I was 33 when she was born. If I could go back - I would have preferred to have her 10 years earlier.
I really wish I had started earlier.

My husbands mother had 5 children after age 33/34....5!

Desecratedcoconut · 05/09/2023 15:56

I see plenty of people out and about with multiple children who are having a blast. But they're probably not the ones silently hoping they aren't pregnant each month, that sounds miserable.

dutysuite · 05/09/2023 15:58

I have two and I would have liked three but it just wasn’t practical for us so I’m happy with my two. :)

Embarrassednamechangeadoddle · 05/09/2023 15:59

I have 2 and if I did it again I would stick with one.

TooOldForThisNonsense · 05/09/2023 16:01

I have 2, for us it’s perfect. I never wanted just one and I would struggle with more than 2. Would do the same if I had my time again for sure

MiniEggsAllYear · 05/09/2023 16:02
  1. It's a perfect amount for us. I always thought I wanted 4 and then I had one and realised what hard work it would be.
itsmyp4rty · 05/09/2023 16:04

I have one and it couldn't be more perfect even though he's a teenager now.

Lampzade · 05/09/2023 16:06

Wanted three or four. After my third dc decided that I didn’t want anymore children
Three is the perfect number for me.