To ask what's next after kids

[SodOffCovid]

So maybe a wierd question but anyway.... I'm mid thirties and have two amazing kids, 2yo and 4mo. Been with DH since school, went to uni, got married shortly before dc1 was born. We own our house (mortgaged forever!) and I have an average paid job but with good hours for the kids, currently on mat leave. I don't love my job by any means but it pays the bills so it will do.

I want a third baby in the future, DH doesn't, as he says we'd be to cramped in our three bed. I don't feel the same but respect that opinion for now atleast, that is not on the cards in our future.

So... I have ticked all the boxes I wanted to tick... Much like many others do. But what happens next? I've been so focused on saving for a house, saving for a wedding, saving for each baby's mat leave, now I feel abit lost what I do now??

I'm being very cautious and saving what I can although I am on mat leave so money is tight at the moment and we are obviously very cautious about the economy which appears to be collapsing around us...

I think I can be a bit like this. Always planning and working towards a goal of some kind. I think you just need another project - perhaps a course/education of some kind or starting a new hobby for something less formal.

You have to raise the buggers

I cannot comprehend this mindset at all, like, do you view life as a box ticking exercise and do things because ‘it’s what you do’/keep up with other people? Apparently kids get harder with each year (less arsewiping but they need you more emotionally, and cripple you financially, and they don’t leave when they’re 18 anymore, those days are gone.) so you have that to do.
I place no value in progressing through a career, to me, a job is just a job, to get money for my actual life. I love my life, I’m childfree and have spent decades building a safe home for myself (not literally), and doing little things I enjoy.

An affair, serious illness, bankruptcy? Who knows. Life isn’t a box ticking exercise. Find meaning and purpose in your life and enjoy each day.

Lots of firsts with the kids yet to come. I’ve got teens and it’s bloody fabulous, have shared lots of experiences.

Most people I know it’s gone uni, house, kids, accidental last baby born, husband has has the snip, second career & fitness & adventures, house extended or redecorated,

The overpaying pension and mortgage

Your kids will occupy you and you could get involved with their eventual school or other activities (unless you are working full time). But when they get to secondary school age they need much less physical input from you (though emotionally it's just beginnning). That's when you can reignite some dormant passions and interests. You will have time to study to get different qualifications - your kids will occupy themselves a lot of the time, so you can pursue whatever graphs you.
Your family life has just begun. It's a cliche but life is what's happening while you are busy making other plans...don't let that happen to you.

Not quite the same thing, but I know a few people who are the type to be constantly moving cities, ‘engaged’ to some random person every year, new job while also doing a course and 6 different voluntary type things and my mind boggles, why bother?! Just fuckin chill out, enjoy your life, time flies, we’ll all be old and dying in the blink of an eye, do stuff you like.

I'll be 44 when my little baby is 18, and I've given some thought to this too. I love him, but I'm one and done. So when he's 18, and goes off to uni/apprenticeship/gap year I'll be reasonably a young empty nester.
I'm thinking of doing a masters in New Zealand, or a year abroad teaching in Russia, or WOOFing in Brazil. Something that combines travel with purpose.