Tell me why 2 children is enough?

[BlueSatsuma]

EVen though I know it is!

I’m almost 40 so it’s a panic thought!

I’ve 2 chronic illnesses and can’t cope with anymore but I LOVE LOVE Babies.

No offence but loving babies isn't a reason to consider having one. I love them too but stopped at 2 babies because I also have a condition which would possibly make me worse if I got pregnant AND there would be less money to go around in our family.

That's reason enough.

I'm 40 and would quite like another baby but I'm going to get a cat instead! Two children can play together and no one is left out. Can share bunk beds. Don't need a bigger car. Cheaper hotel rooms and holidays with only two.

I love the dynamic of two. Three feels odd, and three could be twins too!
Count your blessings with the two you have.
Two replaces both parents, not over-populating the planet.
A third pregnancy will probably not be great for your body.

Because if you have three you don't have enough hands free to protect your area if they come at you
sorry, Friends geek and couldn't resist

I love babies too.

I could cope with more.

We could afford more.

But the world is already overpopulated- we agreed we’d replace ourselves and no more.

Two is way better for holidays and cars and buying houses. Anything that costs money becomes quite a lot more expensive by squeezing that one little extra in.

And your time - you have to stretch yourself that bit thinner to meet all the children's individual needs. One to one time is trickier. Bedtimes are in pain in the arse. There's always someone kicking off about something. Soft play. Potty training. The list goes on!

And that lovely baby snuggle time will be over in an even faster blink of the eye than it was last time because you're even more distracted now.

Plus, your pelvic floor. That's almost a decent reason to have no children to be honest

I'd do it, OP.

People usually regret the things they haven't done more than the things they have. It's a heart thing at the end of the day but I knew that I'd always be wistful if we didn't have number 3. Whereas number 4 was never going to happen!

I'm in the exact same position. 40 next year and 2 children. Only thing is I'm single so I can't anyway. I think the age thing makes you panic no matter how many babies you have once you start approaching this age you start to think you need another? For me it's more a craving to be pregnant then actually having another baby. I'd consider being a surrogate.

I love babies, but two DC are enough for us. They don't stay babies for long, and circumstances and finances change. And there'd be a big age gap.

We toyed with the idea though, first DH wanted another, and I didn't, then I wanted another and he didn't. He didn't want anymore when he was over a certain age, and ditto for me. So that was that. It turned out to be the best decision..

Babies turn into teenagers. That's the problem. Teenagers are expensive and time consuming. And if they go to Uni the financial stuff continues well past 18.

I never wanted more children than I have hands. It was definitely the right decision for us, I can still hold the baby and grab ratbag toddler. I get it though, I often think about my births and those first days after with a tiny. They were so special and I'm sad that I won't do it again. It's not a good enough reason to have another. Look forward to grandbabies in the future.

Babies are not babies for very long.

In addition to PP, you can only fit 2 car seats in the back of most cars.

Babies are relatively cheap and easy in some ways, as are young children. Once children reach about 10 and above their emotional needs seem to increase enormously , as do financial demands. It's hard meeting all their needs and different requirements whereas it's much more practical and straightforward with most younger children (additional needs aside).

I was going to mention teenagers too.

Wow, the expense! ..,. No more buying cheap packs of baby grows at the supermarket. Trips to TopShop or even Primary costs a lot.
Eating out even with two teens is a LOT of money,

Money for school canteens.
School trips abroad (yes, we don't do them all but even the smaller ones cost)
Extras for school transport is stinging me in September.
Mobile phones.
Laptops for homework
Keeping the fridge stocked..,,

Plus the constant emotional counselling of their ups and downs is utterly draining.

I sometimes wonder that it would have been nice to have 3, I think if I'd started younger I would have gone for it, but at the moment I'm glad we stuck at two. I don't think my wallet can take it.

Primary = Primark

When small... One in each hand when you cross the road.

When big... you stand a fighting chance of keeping up with their interests, worries, and keeping them fed and clothed.

Babies are cheap, teens are expensive!!

If you love babies, why not offer your services as a babysitter? Our planet is groaning at the seams with excess population, and another baby in our developed country consumes a lot more natural resources than one in a third word country.
Also, the baby stage is very short, as PPs have said. You shouldn’t have a baby unless you also love the screaming toddler and stroppy teen it will grow into!
Many of us get broody in middle age - I think it’s the old “last chance saloon” mentality, before our fertility dies, rather like men’s midlife crisis and chasing younger women. Recognise it for what it is, and consider the practicalities rather than emotions/hormones.

This is AIBU, and YABU.

I bet this, I'm 32 but I hate the thought of not being pregnant again and give no birth... I don't have easy babies I have babies that suffer with reflux, colic and my second had a protein and lactose intolerance and still suffers occasionally now. I know I have two beautiful girls and although I know they are enough sometimes I yearn for the pregnancy and birth... I wouldn't mind if I could pop out a 2/3 year old to miss out the baby stage 😂

Get not bet

Three is much better thank two - although the comments on needing more expensive cars and two rooms when you go on holidays need to be taken into account. The third costs much more than the second

I have 3. The expense of the third makes a big difference. Don't under estimate it. 2 hotel rooms make weekends away almost impossible eg to attend friends weddings etc. Proper holidays are also difficult. We are trying to book a ski holiday and need 2 rooms, but then we need a triple and a double and that isn't easy to find either as lots are doubles.

we had to buy a bigger car. fitting 3 ca seats across an estate is not easy. we went for an MPV.

tickets to days out are expensive.

having said all that, i love my pack and wouldnt swap. i like the rabble that comes with 3 and i disagree that someone is always left out.

Because babies grow up!

Because choosing not to have another child is one of the most environmentally friendly decisions you could make for the planet that the two children you already have are going to grow up in. Many envirnmental organisations and charities advise couples to only have 2 children for the reason of overpopulation that Babdoc explained.