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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

How many children would you have ideally?

222 replies

AWitchCalledMeg · 10/07/2017 19:54

I mean ideally as in no time/age/money/fertility/cultural conventions/partner/lack of support etc barriers. How many would you have/have had?
For me.. about 6 or 7. I have two and one on way but have always loved the idea of big family.

OP posts:
QuackDuckQuack · 10/07/2017 20:08

2 and we have 2. I've always assumed I'd have what my parents have (one of each, 2 year age gap) but we've got two DDs with a 4 year gap and they are fab, I wouldn't change anything about my family.

Vanillaradio · 10/07/2017 20:09

In an ideal world 3. Looking like it might end up at 1.

Beckywiththebadhair · 10/07/2017 20:09

5 or 6 at least. I have only one due to fertility issues.

SecretFreebirther · 10/07/2017 20:09

Haha, snap Super Blush

Silverthorn · 10/07/2017 20:10

It was always 2. I have 2 and now really want a 3rd but dh is sticking with 2.
My 2 are so gorgeous and I figure in for a penny in for a pound but dh is not as hormonal as me clearly. Grin

MyfatheristheKing · 10/07/2017 20:10

I would have liked 5. We have 3 and won't be having any more (DH had the snip several years ago) I come from 5 and DH comes from 4 so both big families. We don't have the money though so stopped at 3.

eeniemeenieminiemoe2014 · 10/07/2017 20:10

if i had unlimited money, a full time cleaner and cook... i would have a whole football teams worth :D

SisterMortificado · 10/07/2017 20:10

I always dreamed of three.
I have one. I'm unlikely to have another.

Disastronaut · 10/07/2017 20:11

Oh at least 4, maybe more. Pregnant with DD2 right now & I'm already far too old, so this will be it for us. I feel lucky that I was finally able to have one. Two (all being well) will be miraculous! Smile

Watto1 · 10/07/2017 20:11

I used to think I'd like 4. However, I only have 2. Now I'm glad we stuck at two because our family is really happy as it is.

Silvereyes · 10/07/2017 20:12

None, now I have 3, love them all so much it's ridiculous.

BlueAndYou · 10/07/2017 20:12

I wanted just the one (a DD).

But now I know I'm carrying a DS, I will go again Grin

If it's another boy next time, that's fine and I'll stop

PacificDogwod · 10/07/2017 20:13

When I was a kid, I wanted 12 Grin

Then I wanted and got 4.

Now I see the wisdom of the 2 child family at times....

Whitelisbon · 10/07/2017 20:14

I'd have oodles of kids.
We've got 5, which to many is already oodles, if it wasn't for money and the fact that I absolutely detest being pregnant, we'd definitely carry on, but we can't afford any more, and the practicalities of juggling 5 are difficult enough.

RhubardGin · 10/07/2017 20:15

To me a boy and a girl would be perfect.

53rdWay · 10/07/2017 20:15

Probably about 9 or 10.

helenfagain · 10/07/2017 20:15
  1. We have one and dp doesn't want any more 😔
Writerwannabe83 · 10/07/2017 20:15

If I had endless amounts of money, no health problems, I could be a SAHM, a husband who also wanted the same as me and age wasn't a factor I reckon I'd struggle to stop because I love the idea of a large children.

As it is im currently pregnant with our second and will be sticking at two.

WhenTheDragonsCame · 10/07/2017 20:15

None

I have 3

(I may be thinking this due to going through a stressful time with DD1)

Chrisinthemorning · 10/07/2017 20:16

2, one of each top I think. I have DS and we are done. Feel very lucky to have him though

DotForShort · 10/07/2017 20:17

Four.

ethelfleda · 10/07/2017 20:18

I always thought I'd like 2 - one of each. We have our first on the way (a boy)
But now I think we may stop at one... I've now idea how on earth anyone raises a baby who has other children!! I'm already worries about how I will handle just one Grin

ifcatscouldtalk · 10/07/2017 20:19

In an ideal world 2, preferably twins for some reasonGrin. I actually have 1, she is now 12 and I accept that was what was meant for me. I have no yearnings for more children now although I did a long time ago. Big families look fab but realistically Im not cut out for lots of kids.

Supersoaryflappypigeon · 10/07/2017 20:19

Wanted two, have one, won't have anymore.

AWhistlingWoman · 10/07/2017 20:20

Would have liked four, have three. My eldest DD passed away as a baby and I just couldn't face the anxiety of another pregnancy. Sometimes wish I'd been braver but three is challenging enough!