To be soo confused about having third child - Did you stop at 2?

[daytoday]

Basically, not sure where to post this. But can totally see benefits of having third child . . . obvious really, another munchkin!

And totally see benefits of stopping now - my youngest is about to start school. We will not need to pay for childcare anymore - life will be much, much easier, financially and practically. Hurrah! at last!

However I am totally torn - I swing wildly between the two.

I am in my late 30's so feel its now (in the next year) or never. The age gap between each child would be roughly equal and I have a boy and a girl.

Would love to hear from those who stopped at 2, who struggled coming to this decision. How do you feel - 5, 10 years down the line? Honestly? Wish you had gone for it - or have enjoyed the last 5 or 10 years?

Daytoday, I remember your threat (whilst also having the same dilemma as you). Congratulations!

Congratulations day, I commented on your thread at the time under mumofthreesweeties........... I now have a dilemma of 'should we try for number four?'

I lurked on your first writing of this thread and am expecting my #3 in a week!!

Congratulations :)

Thanks and congratulations to you Noladybutmanybubbasand bumps!

A wise friend, who has 3 said to me, if you're thinking about it, and if your talking about it, chances are you're gonna do it! She was very right.

Think we got so bored talking and thinking about it, we thought we might as well just go ahead and do it. I'm pushing 40 so thought its now or never!

But I'm sooo excited.

Congrats - our #3 was planned, #4 was just an extra bonus

I stopped at 3 but felt the same as you - basically the desire for another one doesn't go away how ever many you have. how did you feel doing the baby stuff with your second? With my third I enjoyed it BUT I also found that I was thinking "I've had enough of this now" ie was a bit bored of toddler groups etc. How many did you want before you started?

I think about having a third but I think, I have two healthy kids, I survived pregnancy and birth and in a weird way I don't want to risk doing it again if that makes sense?! I still get a little yearning though! I look at the future and want to afford things like uni and cars and holidays for them etc

It is so hard, do what you feel is right for you!

I don't think the yearning for babies ever goes away fo women who have/want children!

Just seen you are preg! Oops sorry for my scary last post! Silly me not reading all the posts!

Have a great birth - you are doing the right thing for you an that is fab! X

Hello all! I have read all your comments and I am so glad to hear my thoughts being voiced else where!I have 2 DS aged 6 and 4 who I adore. Life has been hard though as DS1 was diagnosed with absence epilepsy aged 20 months, DS2 grew up pretty quickly - just so that he could compete for our attention I am sure! However DS1 is now being weened off of epilim and life is at last starting to feel fun again - so why am I now having such pangs for third? I think about it all of the time, I have names planned and can't help dreaming of a DD even though I had always wanted boys and am positive that I would have another! My DH just says no for every sensible reason he can think of - mostly financial! We do have a large house but this is countered by a large mortgage and the need for me to keep working. I know we don't need a third, I know I should be happy with my lovely family! I also know that like rachleighmum I should respect my DH's view, I am trying to. The strange thing is that I don't even feel really ready to have a third right now - I would just like to be told that it would be OK in a year of two if I still feel that way. Is it an age thing?(37 and counting!) Am I just feeling th clock ticking? Is it just because it's not the sensible thing to do or is it because DH says no? I DON'T KNOW! AAAGGGGHHHHHHHHH!

Emmiemummy at 37 with two DCs behind you you still have time so not to panic. Conceiving for a third time is often easier even if you are older. It seems that your body gets used to what it needs to do. DS1 was born when I was 36 (nearly 37), DS2 when I was 40 and DC3 will arrive in September and I am now 41! I haven't ruled out DC4 either . Why not relax about it for a year or so and then reassess?

I don't know if you're still there or not, but did you decide to go fot it? I am also having same dilemma, lovely DS and DD already but hubbie would like a whole tribe! I am happy to look after them, love being with them etc but worry that we would be the family that people hate as we turn up with too many people and too much noise and everyone I know is sticking with 2! Plus my Mum says it would be very hard work for her to help out!