To want another child

[Bloodybanana]

I have 3 children, ages 13, 7 and 2. We always said our third would be our last, for a while I was quite happy with that but I'd say since my youngest turned 1, maybe a bit sooner than that, I've really wanted another child. I've felt so broody. Completely impractical really, we don't really have the space, we could move but that would mean having less money for other things. I know the sensible option is to not have any more but I do feel sad thinking I probably won't and I'm scared that feeling will never go away, I might always feel like I should have had another child

I think you hit the nail on the head when you described this as being "broody". It's a natural reaction, but that doesn't mean you should give in to it when you know that another child would be impractical and reduce the quality of life for your existing DC. I'm of the opinion that it's important to put your existing children first.

I'm scared that feeling will never go away, I might always feel like I should have had another child

What if you have a fourth child and the feeling comes back? Will you have a fifth? A sixth? Where does it stop?

Think about it this way: what would a hypothetical fourth child bring to your life that you aren't getting from your existing three DC?

What happens when baby number 4 hits a year old and the broodiness starts again?

Theres no guarantee you wont have a 3th and end up broody anyway.

It’s a horrible feeling but it sounds like it would be very impractical to have one more, like you say you might not feel that number 4 was enough. I don’t know the answer OP, there’s no magic wand to stop you feeling broody but looking at how disruptive it would be regarding space, time and finances to name a few might help.

That is true, I might never feel "done" but then after I had my first I didn't think I would have anymore, I felt like one was enough but that changed years later