To not have another...

[Father1]

I'm struggling to see how financially with mortgage increases how we can possibly have another... But it goes against the whole original family unit plan that we made together half a decade ago...

Give me reasons why not having a second is a good thing please because I need to feel better about not being good enough to carry all the finances in the event we have another. I feel like I've failed as the provider.

If you both want another could your wife work too to make it possible? Being a stay at home parent is a luxury that most cannot afford these days.

Surely the stresses of having a newborn and then not working because of the need to 'mother' cancels out the possibility of working in the first instance?

I don't really understand what you're saying? Obviously she would get a job first and then qualify for maternity leave.

I suppose you have to look at why your specific reasons for not having a 2nd are so important to you both. I know plenty of people who have 2 or more children who don’t have much money but are quite happy. However they don’t live in London, they don’t have expensive hobbies/pastimes for themselves or their children etc.
If it’s because your both desperate to stay in your current house/location or afford expensive things for your current child, think children should have their own bedrooms etc and think they’re all more important than a sibling then focus on that. Maybe you’ve got relatives you support abroad. Whatever your reasons ask yourself are your reasons really more important than having a 2nd child and why and hopefully that will help you accept your decision.

Ohhh you're the one who's wife was an 'excellent administator' last week.