Will i regret not having more kids ?

[Thunderandlightningisfrightening]

Not long married. Have a 6 year old from previous marriage. I didn't want more kids and my dh is happy either way. However I don't know I'm starting to think should I have another before I'm too old. I'm 38 so it'd would have to be soon. I'm not sure what I want and I don't want to regret not having more when the time has passed.

Just to add, I have a sibling and wish I didn't! We loathed each other and made each others' childhoods miserable. I don't have a single positive sibling memory of us having fun together. We tolerate each other on the rare occasions we see each other these days (literally maybe once or twice a year for a few hours max), but I'm sure when we have to handle our parents being frail, dying or sorting out the estates we will cause each other more stress than support.

I'd much rather have been a lonely only child (although I don't believe onlies are more likely to be lonely) than have lived with a sibling who made me miserable all day every day.

I think a child is probably the exception to the rule "you regret the things you didn't do more than the things you did" in that I'd rather risk being a bit wistful that I hadn't had another kid than have another kid and then regret it, because it's pretty much the only decision you'll ever make that is neither reversible or mitigable. If you're not 100%, don't do it.

It's impossible for anyone to advise you. 2 children are harder than two especially at the start but then they are great company for one another (even if they do fight sometimes 😂🙈). I have 2 and it is lovely. I come from a big family so I think if I was younger I would have had a third. We recently had a bereavement in our family and having so many siblings has been such a comfort and support for us all. I'd like to think most people don't 'regret' having another child but of course there are risk factors especially as we get older. I had my first at 35 and second at 39.

Well i had a mixed bag with my siblings and it's because my parents didn't put the effort into raising good kids who were nice to each other, nobody is born horrible. If i had another child it's more likely that they would be kind because I would work hard on making sure of it. My parents left us to raise ourselves and had favourites. I know what not to do. Most people do like and get on with their siblings but these threads attract people who want to defend only childs so it's biased and people get so defensive.
I also don't see why wanting a sibling is such a bad reason, why do people have children at all it is all selfish but then the child arrives and you get to know them and love them for them if you are a sane and well adjusted parent. It doesn't mean the child is wanted any less than the first one all procreation reasons are inherently selfish.

I would probably have a second in your position, as long as it was affordable.

If you and your partner aren't 100000% sure you want a child together, don't do it.

If you aren't 10000000000000% sure you want to risk another pregnancy now that you're in your late 30s, don't do it.

On a personal note, I have a 7yo and the thought of going back to baby days makes me want to rock in a corner and cry.

We have 2 child free nights a week and occasional weekends. Parents all in 70s and could help but probably not to the extent they helped with the 1st!

I just wish id made better decisions

I’m 50 and I do regret not having one more. I have 3 with 2 years between the oldest 2 and then 6 and 8 years between them and the youngest (best age gap!). The plan was to have one more 2 years later but my DH really felt done and I was persuaded I was to. I do wish I had gone for it though and now it’s much too late!

Let fate decide. Whatever birth control method you're on, stop it for a week and see what happens. Use that as a higher power deciding for you :)

I have pcos and had a prem birth due to to placental abruption. I was younger then too. Most of his friends have siblings.

I wish I was 30 again