To ask if anyone honestly regrets DC2

[Minimalteserbunny]

I adore my DS in that exhausting but wonderful way
I had always wanted more than 1 child but I had a horrendous pregnancy god awful birth and then he ended up in special care for a week

Despite having awful PTSD/PND I still think I'd love another child??

I'm scared I'll regret it

I know it's taboo to say but does anyone honestly regret having another child

[u32ng]

Coz I personally find it's bloody hard work with two and take multiple hats off to people with 3+ kids.

[nolongerwaitingfornumber2]

Not for a second. I have a 2 year age gap and DC2 just turned 9 months. The toddler is by far the harder child to manage. The baby even sleeps through and has for a while which my eldest didn't until 1. Sleep definitely helps!

[middlings]

Not in the slightest. DD1 was an easy baby and I was a stressed out parent. I was more easy going with DD2 which was bloody good as she was a nightmare baby! They're now 4 & 2 and amazing - great pals - love them to pieces.

That said, if I'd stopped at one, I don't think I'd have regretted it either!

[Gooseysgirl]

No regrets at all, he's totally bonkers but love him to bits... Actually found the first six months with both ok (21 month gap), 6-24m was tough going at times but largely because DC2 is a very feisty character Might have gone for DC3 if DC2 had been easier but am now 40 and absolutely no energy left for doing it all again. V happy with our two and feel v lucky to have them

[Gowgirl]

Two was ok, three with two under 3 is bloody hard work, however they do have their moments

[NotdeadyetBOING]

No regrets, but definitely found workload more than doubled. Dealing with sibling rivalry/rowing can be really exhausting, but I don't wish I'd stuck with one often

[RunnerOnTheRun]

I'll be honest (have 3). I sometimes can't tell if I am just knackered or if it is actual, real regret (I am referring to DC2 and DC3). DC1 is JUST SO EASY.

[Titsywoo]

Never. He is gorgeous and I wouldn't like having just one child. I like that they keep each other company. The first year was hard but not horrendous. More than worth it.

[cc1975]

I didn't have a good birth experience with my first and was dreading that part of having a second. But like many on here, I know I would always have been thinking 'what if' if we hadn't had DC2 as planned. DC2's birth was 'natural'' with just gas and air and left me feeling great about achieving that after emergency c-section with DS1.

For the first few months DS2 was easier by far than my toddler and you learn to live with the sleeplessness. Now DS2 is 2.5 and asserting his authority, but DS1 is at a lovely age, so they take their turns at who is more demanding.

Watching their growing bond makes it all worth it and the love I feel for DS2 is no less than for DS1 - its limitless. They're both lovable just different (although not always like-able!).

[waitingforsomething]

I regretted it in the very early days when I was exhausted from night feeds and also owner of 2 year old who was jealous . They are 3 and 10 months now and I def don't regret it. He is super cute and they adore each other. I can't wait till he's 3 and she's 5 and they are both little people but no regrets for sure

[ShootingStar75]

I had a horrendous time during pregnancy with my 2nd and have been left with a long term health problem/disability that has impacted me severely since I had her plus severe post natal depression after her birth too but I honestly 200% do not regret having either of my children. The only thing for me that I say is that if I had of known back before I got pregnant with my 2nd that my 1st would be diagnosed with asd I would have held off as she sees things and puts up with things that she shouldn't have to for her age and I can't fully protect her from the impact of it despite trying so so hard. That said though she loves her sister dearly and they have the most amazing bond and as hard as our life is some days I wouldn't change either of them for the world just would have made it compulsory that they came with their own nanny

[DiggersRest]

I have had moments of feeling overwhelmed with 2 dc but that's lack of sleep. I'm glad l have my 2 dd and feel my family is complete. I have no interest in the hard work a 3rd dc

[Yokohamajojo]

My regret is not having a DC3! mine are now 9 and 7 and in mad moments i wish I had had another one, in my more sane moments I am very happy with two no no regrets at all. It's amazing how so two completely different people can come from the same two parents

[ICanSeeeYourPixels]

Good question, although I doubt you'll get the complete honesty you hoped.

DC2 is something we've been thinking about for a while. However have decided that one is plenty for us and all that we want to achieve in our lives. A tough decision, but as our DC is older, we just couldn't bear the thought of starting all over again. Honestly, we're finally starting to get a bit of our old lives back and it's bliss!

[mrsnec]

I have a toxic relationship with my brother and it terrified me that my two would be the same which I then realised that was a ridiculously stupid reason to stick with one.

We let fate decide af dd taking 5 years together conceive but then I got pg with ds very quickly and there is a 16 month age gap.

Not ideal and I do struggle but I'm hoping everyone is right when they say it's better when they older. Absolutely no more though that's for sure!

[DiggersRest]

Why wouldn't you think lcan people wouldn't be honest on an anonymous forum?

[LadyAntonella]

u32

only embark upon 2 if you WANT to have a second and not just coz you feel you ought to/want to make up for some regrets from the first time etc

^^this is great advice I think. Though I only have one so possibly not in a position to comment. And yet... here I am commenting!

[Marquand]

My DD was 2 and a half when her brother was born, and it was very difficult for her. I think mixed feelings are tough at any time, but when you're that small it is super difficult. She adored him from the word go, and loathed me for having him. And loved me and was jealous of him. Etc.

It was a rough time, but I believe working through it together created a very solid foundation for my relationship with my daughter. We worked through it together and shared

She is now 6 and he is approaching 4, and they are the best of friends (except when they are not. I am constantly delighted and amazed by the amount of love and laughter that they bring to my life, and I feel incredibly lucky.

Now the question is how they will deal with no 3, who will arrive at the end of July...

[SnakeWitch]

I don't regret it at all but I sometimes catch myself looking at my mum friends of one a bit wistfully. More time, more money, more space at home etc; popping to the gym after school run while I try to coax a yelling toddler down the road In for a penny in for a pound was our thinking.

[PurpleCrazyHorse]

Sometimes. DD (6yo) is brilliant with 10mo DS, but he won't sleep in the cot and is very clingy. I'm hoping it'll get better as he gets older.

[Smallbear86]

I prefer having two to one in my house I have three anyway and three pushed me over the edge but two was a piece of cake. They play together they entertain each other all the time they are 10,7 and 4 now my youngest is the hardest one and two were easy.
Some of my friends have only children and in a way it seems harder for them always entertaining that one child and taking them to clubs left right and centre.
Mine are happy playing with each other one is quiet but two is not much worse defo give your child a sibling you won't regret it

[wonderstuff]

I did spend some time regretting I'd had either of them, I found that it was much more of a sacrifice than I was prepared for. But I never regretted having my second. The first year was really hard, its all a bit of a blur, but I was exhausted, two is a lot more work. However after that having 2 has been much easier than one would have been on its own, they play together, they look out for each other, its really lovely.
They were 8 and 5 now and I wouldn't be without them, they are the best decision I've ever made. At the weekend the eldest gets up and makes breakfast, she looks out for him on the playground at school and they will play happily for a while. My family is complete and they will hopefully be together for the rest of their lives. Watching them kiss each other goodnight melts my heart.

[areyoutheregoditsmemargaret]

No regrets because I adore dc2, but I often look at people with one child and think 'You jammy bastards'. I know plenty of people with three, who say the third was too much.

[MessyBun247]

I have 2 DDs, DD1 is almost 11 and DD2 is 15 weeks so a big age gap. The sleep deprivation at the minute makes me a bit wistful about when I just had DD1 but I know things will get easier in a few months and don't regret DD2 at all. She cute and funny and amazing!
I do agree with the poster who said make sure you really want another child, rather than just having another just because you feel you should.

I definitely won't be having a third, much to my partners disappointment and I look forward to turning 40, DD1 will be nearly 21 and DD2 will be 10, and il be getting my freedom back! But I'm just enjoying every moment as much as I can now time does go very quick!