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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think 'get it all over with' instead of 'space it out'

157 replies

NameChangedForThisQ · 18/07/2018 07:07

Am 6 months pregnant with first child. Pregnancy has been great in some senses, but I struggle with anxiety at night. I had depression in the first couple of months but it actually helped me to make some important life changes. In the evenings I hate being pregnant, in the day it's mostly fine though I'm not up to doing as much as before and haven't been throughout.

When the baby comes I won't be breastfeeding and DP will be the main carer. I will also be at home and only work about 4 hours a day.

Ive always wanted a big family. My DP wants one too, probably about 6 or 7. I'm 28.

Now I'm thinking just have the next one close together with this one (think immediately pretty much) despite disliking being pregnant.. And have as many as I can in quick succession. To grin and bear the pregnancy thing and the stage where they'll all be young just for the benefits (as I see it, a big family is a benefit) later? In about two years or so we will be able to afford a full time nanny and a part time one.

What do you think? Am I crazy as hell? Grin

OP posts:
Oliversmumsarmy · 18/07/2018 10:30

Dp I think would have gone away for free. Dd and ds weren't exactly the most laid back DC. Grin

BounceAndClimb · 18/07/2018 10:49

Also having 6-7 children means 6-7x the illnesses.
In the year we had DD2, I spent 3 months in hospital with her when she was first born (prem so either I had to be there or she would have had to be given someone else's donar milk). Got home for a few weeks then another week in. Then home got a few more weeks then back in with meningitis.
Then finally home and fortnightly appointments for monitoring a complication, some being all day hospital appointments for MRI's, on top of repeat hearing tests, developmental check's etc.
The hospital appointments have been reduced now but we now have speech therapy appointments each week.
Between all of this, normally healthy DD1 happened to get 3 chest infections needing overnight stays for oxygen and 2 severe ear infections one resulting in a burst ear drum and 2 weeks of antibiotics.

You can't always just 'use a nanny'.

Iwantaunicorn · 18/07/2018 10:52

Have as many kids as you want, and can afford, just bear in mind what a PP said - whatever you calculate costs to be, double them, then double them again!

I used to want 4 DC, I have twins, and it is hard bloody work. I’m lucky that they’re relatively easy going babies (well, one is for sure!) but we never switch off, there’s no time for a lot of non baby things, and the logistics of even getting out of the door anywhere with two is like a military operation. Don’t underestimate the sheer amount of crap you have to lug around, and factor in the massive car/bus you’d need for 6 kids, their car seats, nappies, the cooler for bottles, the list goes on and on! Then factor in the huge effect having kids will take on your body, I naively thought things just kinda snapped back in time after having them - WRONG!

My kids are amazing, they’re worth all the work, but I grossly underestimated how all consuming they are. Wouldn’t be without them for the world, but whilst I’m not opposed to having more in the future, it won’t be anytime soon!

Maybe have the first one and see how you feel, and how your bank balance is, but I’d definitely suggest spacing them out - a couple quickly I’m sure will be fine, but 6-7 in close succession sounds mental. Play it by ear!

Shambu · 18/07/2018 10:59

If you're struggling with anxiety and your first child isn't even born yet, consider the anxiety may be more intense once the baby is born and its life is in your hands.

Why not wait and see how the anxiety and depression pan out once you have a kid. Willing to bet that after a year with a small baby you won't want six or seven children.

YourVagesty · 18/07/2018 11:10

I agree with MLMLM, it seems unthinkable to me that somebody would actually choose to bring 6 or 7 people into this world when the world is so overpopulated.

I'm not an eco-bore, but I just thought that this was the background music to everybody's life now.

And it doesn't even sound as though you desperately want them? You confuse me OP and your plan is highly unusual

Mumbun11 · 18/07/2018 12:02

Before I had my DS I always said I wanted two or three close in age, he's 6mo now and the first months were so hard I know for a fact I won't consider having another until he's school age. It is unbelievably difficult and as your DP is going to be the main carer he might find himself struggling more than he thinks with just the one

Candyflip · 22/07/2018 09:04

No lion it was to talkwhilstyouwalk

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