Tell me great things about 'just the two' children?

[WalkingZed]

Everyone round here seems to have three, it's a real thing! Obviously not everyone has three but hopefully you know what I mean.

I've toyed with the idea myself and asked about it in here but I think two might be my limit in many ways.

I love, love, love newborns and I'll always feel that I want a newborn to hold but...

I get so sick in pregnancy, have to take whole first trimester off work and vomit right up to day of c section
I'm 38
I've one boy and one girl
I can't really afford a third, as a family another maternity leave would cripple us
I find pre schoolers tough going, 1 and 3 at the minute and I enjoy going to work for a rest!
Dh is very reluctant

Many compelling reasons to have no more children, but still there is a 'what if..'

So please slap me round the face and tell me good things about sticking with two dc!

Two lots of teenage hassles is plenty.
We are financially comfortable as we are, three would've been a stretch.
I have lived half my life at the doctors/dentist/hospital/school as it is.
I love our two but neither me nor DH ever wanted a third.

Looking at friends with a couple of teens and another pre teen, and all the extras it entails I know we made the right decision. I have a friend who will have two at Uni by September and the third starting yr 6. That scenario would squash any 'what if's' for me.

Also can add that friends/ family won't happily look after 3. Readily take older two but not younger dc

I have four, trust me when I tell you that two is plenty

You should only have more if you both really want more. Babies are cute but your not having 'babies' you are having people. IYSWIM

You can't have three because of middle child syndrome ( I'm a middle child )

I have 2 dd aged 2 and 4. It's the best! They are best friends. I love walking along with their little hands in mine.

It's all the practical reasons that havebeen mentioned. Dh and I are older and have no family help, and two young dc has been hard work. Dh has depression. We absolutely couldn't cope with another one. We couldn't afford another maternity leave and another lot of childcare. I feel I have enough time for the kids now and they get decent individual attention. This wouldn't happen with 3.

It's totally individual though. I have friends with 1, and friends with 3 - but 2 is average and the most common in my circle of friends. It works for us.

I have two and intend on it staying that way, they are currently 3.5 and 11months...

My reasons are as follows:

• I don't feel I have the mental capacity to cope with more than 2, especially through the baby and pre-school years when they are at their neediest
• Two children fit comfortably in the back of the car, with a third we would probably have to get a bigger car
• We'd definitely have to move house as we are currently in a 2 bed, the second bedroom is just about big enough for 2, no way would we fit a 3rd in there. We love this house and the area so don't intend on moving any time soon.
• The same amount of children as I have arms, meaning I can grab hold of them both and not worry about a third child making a run for it.
• Financial reasons
• Love snuggly newborn cuddles and watching them grow and change so quickly during the first year but I don't want to go through the sleepless nights for a third time, thanks.
• Late pregnancy with two children to look after, no thanks! It was hard enough being pregnant and having one DC to take care of.

Basically having a third would just be one big faff for us.

To add, pre DC I had it in my head that I wanted at least 4 children Not quite sure what I was thinking really.

I do feel a bit sad that I will never get to experience pregnancy/new baby stage again, but I think that's a natural reaction. Deep down I know that stopping at 2 is absolutely the right thing for us as a family.

I had a 3rd and it was twins! I think you know when you are 'done'. I have 5 DC now and sure I don't want to start again. I think also when they are older and very challenging,expensive teenagers this can put you off further! Finances didn't come into it for me but then we don't really go for big holidays etc. We did have to get a bigger house and bigger car and live crammed for a while. Now we have 4 teenagers (yes it is tough) and a you her child but having a larger family is amazing too. I wouldn't change it.

We have two. It's enough for us. We like to travel and family rooms for four are tricky enough to get! Also I can get dds and a friend each with me in my little car.

I can't imagine having 3, it seems so many!

I have just the one 10 month old though and we do talk about having a second, will probably end up having twins

The nice thing about having 4, two now grown up and 2 teens are that just when one of them seems very happy and sorted there's always another one you are worryingly about.

Wouldn't chang it for the world though and a big family holiday coming up with all kids, their partners and grandkids.

I suspect dh and myself may hide in the pub with the dog and leave them all to it

Statistically, I believe each new child detracts slightly from the longer term prospects of the older ones (education, etc.). Good thing to remind yourself if you need a "reason".

But the bond between older siblings to younger ones can be magical. Can't see the older ones chances lessen really, on the contrary it made our older ones much more mature and self motivated as we hadn't the time to run around after then checking on home work and providing lifts. They were far more independent

But it's such a personal choice.

Yes that's just on average, Only - obviously can't say for individuals. But if you're looking for a good rationalisation of a decision...

I sometimes think I'd like a third (have boy and girl, 6 and nearly 5), but the main reason I won't is that I honestly don't feel I'd be as effective a parent if I had a third.

I struggle to find time to do everything I want to do with them as it is!