To ask how you know you’re finished having children.

[Tunnocks34]

We have three children, our youngest is 6 months. I really assumed that after my third I’d feel like our family was complete etc but I don’t feel like I am. I feel I’d really love another baby (albeit in 2/3 years)

For context, I am 30. Money isn’t an issue and either is age, but what I’m wondering is, is there just a switch that happens. Do you ever think ‘I want no more children’, is it circumstances that stop people?

I am 100% sure after having my second.
I don’t see how a third or more would make me (please note I am talking about me) any happier, in fact it would make me unhappy.
Plus I grew up in a big family and I don’t have memories of playing with my parents, just my siblings and the noise and chaos.
Not for me.
I would have stopped at 1 but I wanted my DC to have a sibling and I felt I wanted another which I have.
I couldn’t handle more children and I am so happy with my two

Honestly, some people never feel ‘done’ and would just keep having children if it were a responsible thing to do (hi Sue Radford). That feeling off being complete or finished never happens for some women, you have to insert logic I guess and question whether having another is a sensible thing to do.

I was 100% sure when I was a couple of days late and my overwhelming feeling was 'oh please God no!'

I knew then I was done!

I have none and I already know I’m finished

I don’t feel done, I never have but I can’t have any more so the decision was made for me.

I think I would probably be able to feel done if I could have made the choice.

My DH decided for us and had the snip. Would have loved a third but one of ours has ASD and as lovely ax she is we are stretched enough already. It was the right decision and I got over the pangs for number 3.

I'd always thought I'd want two, and I'm one of two. After having my second I had absolutely no desire to have any more.

Even if I had loads of money, no career to be affected, suffered no morning sickness (I had HG), I still wouldn't want another. Two seems natural to me.

I feel very finished having had my 3rd last year. However if I had infinite space, money and time I'd have more. I don't have these things so got my tubes tied 😂

I get broody, but that's probably my age.

My second is four months old and I know I'm done.

Mainly because by this point with my first I was chomping on the bit for another baby.

My husband is 1 of 4 and feels it was too much.

I've got two lovely boys, and I know I'll get flamed but I worry if I have a third it would be a girl and given that she could be the first girl born in 2 generations for DH's family my others would be pushed aside.

And, I wouldn't risk having a third boy - I don't think my nerves could take it.

It was partly a head over heart decision due to age but also because I wanted to move on from the full on responsibility of young children. Mine are teen /soon to be teen and I have so much more freedom and flexibility.

I knew when I was pregnant with my first, I was done! He's 7 soon and is an only with we have no plans for anymore.

I have 3 and whilst I certainly think I have enough I really don’t feel done. Even if I had a fourth I don’t expect I would feel done then either. I’ve come to terms with the fact I’m just one of those people that don’t get the done feeling.

I've never for one millisecond since my youngest was born 8 months ago had a feeling or thought of "aww, I'd love another baby"

And when people announce they're expecting a baby, my first thought is "thank fuck it's not me" 🤣 I never say that though, it's obviously 'congratulations' but yeah, kinda sums up that I'm done.

I nearly died having DS
That was enough for me to say, you know what, 2 us good, one of each.

DP would still have liked more though.

Well...
I knew I wanted more than one. Two seemed about right. Once no2 reached the age No1 had when I felt ready for another I half expected to feel a bit broody, but I didn't.
Actually, the thought of being pregnant again filled me with dread. When friends announced their pregnancies my first thought was "Rather you than me!"
And to echo a pp - when my period was a few days late I was terrified rather than hopeful.

I knew I wasn't done after DC2. I had a strong feeling that our family wasn't complete yet.

I was certain I was done when pregnant with DC3, I just knew I didn't ever want to put myself through pregnancy again. And DH didn't want any more children either, so it was an easy decision.

I'm also counting down to when I can stop sterilising bottles and looking forward to getting rid of everything that both my kids have outgrown.

3 miscarriages, followed by my lovely healthy girl, but then the death of my newborn boy, i knew it was time to stop.

I have one little girl but been told I will need heart surgery if I were to have another child. Wont feel done until my cardiologists basically say no. Still have hope 🤞. Lucky I have one.

I'm done after 2. Couldn't handle anymore, they need so much attention and 1:1 time. The feeling I get around babies is 'aww cute' and thank God it's not mine!!

I'm one of two and wanted two. I had two and felt absolutely totally done, never had any pangs or anything. I admit I was 38 when I had DD so I was fairly late to have more but honestly I just couldn't even contemplate it. My husband is one of 4 and I think he'd have had a 3rd if I'd wanted one.

I think a lot is to do with what feels right, based on how you grew up. I've got a couple of friends who grew up with 3 or 4 siblings and they both had 3 and 4 kids respectively!

I've got 3 and dont feel done. Dp doesn't want any more though so 3 it is.

I dont have that "finished" feeling people talk of. But DC2 has been so much harder than DC1, we are much more strained and I'm very aware I'm "wishing away the baby years" much more than I did first time round. We have agreed we don't think we can cope with a 3rd child like DC2 (probably could if like DC1 lol).

One of my kids takes up so much physical and mental energy. I know I don’t have anything left to spare a 3rd child.

I'd love my dc to have more siblings...I'm just tired

One of my dc has minor sn and all the appointments and juggling both of their needs has been really tough. I think a third would tip me over the edge!