To wonder how many children you’d have, in an ideal world?

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I’ve just had one and I can’t decide whether I’m done, or I want 20! 😁

If you didn’t have to worry about health, money, job, the pesky practicalities... How many children would you have (/had)? Why?

Theoretically or in my wildest dreams, I'd live on an Australian outback sheep station, with horses and dogs, and four boys. Realistically, I live in the south east of England with my one DS, and I can't imagine sharing my child-directed love!! Grateful for him in my life.

And even reading that back I feel guilty!
We are a happy family of 3, honest! 🙈

Four. I have two

Currently going through the horrific stress of A levels, so I am glad I only have one. Wouldn't have minded 2, but no more.

Would have loved three. Probably because our family seems to have had three each and we're all very close.

Sropped at two because of a) money and wanting to be able to live comfortably not scrabble together to get enough pennies/worry and B) our eldest has autism and will always need a lot of support and didn't want to sacrifice attention given to our daughter or us as a couple.

What we want isn't always what's right for you as a family or financially a viable option.

I've now got used to the idea and don't think I would want to go through hyperemesis and sleepless nights again. I see our friends having babies (we were young having them in our group) and can honestly say I wouldn't want to go back to those early days having for life Kind of on track again.

We have four. We had twin boys and then, twenty months later, twin girls. People thought that we were mad but as a same-sex couple who thought we might be in for a long, complicated and expensive ride trying to conceive, they are the beautiful realisation of a dream. I love watching their bond develop; they play together in a little group from the time that they wake until we put them down to bed and it’s just gorgeous. We are lucky in that three out of four are particularly easy children and our little imp is so keen to keep up with her brothers that she never strays too far from what the group aren’t doing!

We are expecting number five in October, and have another embryo transfer planned for next Summer - after which, we’ll have used all of our embryos and I’ll be able to sleep peacefully at night without irrational dreams of the freezer defrosting! Realistically we would have stopped at four had we not had these two frozen embryos and I am a little nervous to provide for six - but if they are anything like their older siblings, mothering them will be a privilege and a joy.

I went into this wanting to have just one..!

I have one and he is likely to be the only. In an ideal world (e.g. if dh and I were younger, my health was better and we had a lot more money) I would like 3, preferably the next 2 would be a girl then another boy.

Two max because even with a lottery win I wouldn't want to give up working, and there's a finite amount of time in a week.

1. Always wanted 2. Pregnant with my second now then will be done. Both DH and myself are from families of 6 and my siblings all have 4 but I've always felt it too many. Feels too manic for me.

If I didn’t have to worry about money, then honestly, none. My lifestyle would be one of travelling constantly and parties etc.

Knowing what I know now...?

None.

I’ve realised I’m quite a selfish person and really miss just thinking about me. Don’t get me wrong, my girls are awesome, but time consuming!!!

One or none. Depends on my mood. Oh to have freedom again.

1. However we will probably have 1 or 2 depending if we end up having IVF twins or not. Not going through fertility stuff again and we probably couldn't afford 4.

In an ideal world I would live in a large house, have plenty money, have 6 dc and and be a sahm.

In reality I live in a 4 bed semi, have just enough money (not loads, but enough) and work part time.

If I could choose boys/girls I would have the last 2 as girls (my eldest is a boy and is hard work!!) so would have 1 boy and 5 girls. It would be amazing and so much fun!

I’d like two. I have one and she looks like she’ll be an only due to infertility issues which only IVF will maybe be able to get around. I am very lucky to have one and she is incredible but I would really have liked her to have a sibling.

4 and given choice all boys.

Probably 4-7ish.

2 was what I wanted and have got!
If I was younger and planning a family I would do exactly same
I would hope not to have an EXH who left me for OW when they were 4 and 5
That said I coped with being a lone parent they are now adults of whom I’m immensely proud and we are very close

We have 2 and that is perfect for us. I wouldn't be tempted to have more no matter what.

We said before children that we wanted 3. Ds2 came along and that’s enough. In fact if he was the first child we would of only had him!!! Love him dearly but we lovingly call him shitbag!!!

Three or four. We will be sticking with two though for many reasons.

None, current and ideal position for me

Four. If it weren't for my age, mental health, and we could afford help around the house.

I had 3, and tried to convince myself it was enough.

13 years later, number 4 is here and absolutely marvellous to get to do it again. I feel complete now

Before I had children, I wanted 2 boys, a gap, then 2 girls. I have the 2 boys. Ideally, Id have liked 3. Its hard that it wasn't my decision to stop at 2 and I still feel there is one missing but its too late for any mind changes now