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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:
Decaffstilltastesweird · 10/07/2017 20:21

I always said I'd have one or two. I'm currently pregnant with dc2. Pretty sure we will be done after this one.

TheRealLemonLyman · 10/07/2017 20:21

I would have loved 4. I have given birth to 3 but only have 1 (my first died and my second is a long, long story. My third is a delightfully grumpy teen who tells me he loves me just about everyday 🙂)

Didiplanthis · 10/07/2017 20:27
  1. I have 3 as number 2 was twins ! I love them dearly but its not quite what I planned not being the most patient earth mother type.
justkeepswimmingg · 10/07/2017 20:29

Hard to answer really.. But in short the answer is three. Technically I have three already. I have a 2yo, I'm pregnant and have an angel baby also. So the number may go up to four, so il have three living children. If my angel baby was alive, then this pregnancy would be the last. I mean that in no way of replacing my angel however, as he will always be a huge part of our lives, and I of course love all of my children exactly the same.

SnowiestMountain · 10/07/2017 20:29

4, I have 2

Mari50 · 10/07/2017 20:53

Probably two, I have one due to secondary infertility.

Haworthy · 10/07/2017 20:54

Ideally one. I have one.

waitforitfdear · 10/07/2017 20:54

4 and we had 4. It's a tribe Grin

Electricaid · 10/07/2017 20:55

One.

AliTheMinx · 10/07/2017 20:58

Just one. Always knew I only wanted one (I'm an only child too). He's perfect. Knew immediately I didn't want another. I love babies but I feel complete with our son.

NapQueen · 10/07/2017 20:58

Now I have them, none. Not that I wish them away, I adore them. But fuck me it is relentless. I had no clue.

Pre kids I wanted one. Had one, thought we may aswell have another so we have two.

ohgoshIdontknow · 10/07/2017 21:00

I've got three but would have loved four. Left it too late though.

Am v happy with my three. But I wonder if you always want just one more...

GreenHillsOfHome · 10/07/2017 21:02

Ideally, 4.

We had two ds's and decided that due to time/work/money we would stick at two. Ds3 is now 8 weeks though...completely unplanned and here despite doubling up on contraception. But we're now both so pleased it happened.

Would love a 4th but definitely sticking at 3 now.

yellowzebrazz · 10/07/2017 21:02

With all the money (and the help and the space that can buy) and better health, four. I have two!

Honeybee79 · 10/07/2017 21:04
  1. I have 2. No money for any more!
ComeTheFuck0nBridget · 10/07/2017 21:05

I'd have loads. I'd love four, but would have more if I could. As it is, I'll consider myself extremely lucky if I get one, due to fertility issues.

EverythingEverywhere1234 · 10/07/2017 21:06

I've none yet so I may well change my opinion when we start but I've always said I want a big family, between 4 and 6. I have siblings in that size range and it was fab growing up!

SprogletsMum · 10/07/2017 21:08

With unlimited money I'd have at least 6 or 7. As it is I've stopped at 4.
To have more I'd definitely need to employ some sort of mothers help to help with tidying up and ferrying dc round to clubs.

Diamondlife · 10/07/2017 21:08

I'd have loved 5 or 6.

Have 4.

londonmummy1966 · 10/07/2017 21:08

6 but DH only wanted 2 so insisted on protection once he'd got his quota - wouldn't even compromise at 3............

MermaidsTears · 10/07/2017 21:11

In my fantasy world I would have loved five. Four girls and one boy all within a relatively short period of time.

Anyway in RL I have three girls and that's the end of having children for us for various reasons.

Diamondlife · 10/07/2017 21:13

Interesting how many on this thread would have more children if they could.

MintCassis · 10/07/2017 21:13

Ideally 5, hopefully 3 due to age and finances.

GreenHillsOfHome · 10/07/2017 21:13

But I wonder if you always want just one more...

That's what I'm desperately telling myself now.

3 is enough for us, practically. But because I know that ds3 is my last, I'm feeling all the firsts quite a bit...because this is my last first smile and last time with a snuggly newborn and last first bath and so on. But I wonder if I'd feel that even if I had ten and you have to call it a day sometime!

cheeseslovesme · 10/07/2017 21:14

I have 2, would have loved 3. Just couldn't afford to Sad