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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How many kids did you want v's how many you have

570 replies

RevolvingPivot · 02/08/2021 15:40

I wanted 3. I've got 2.

OP posts:
WalkingMeAway · 02/08/2021 21:29

Never set my mind on how many. Don't think I ever thought about it.

I have 3

Roomonb · 02/08/2021 21:31

0 and have 1 (for my DH if I’m being really honest and tbf he’s a great dad and my DD is adored, literally worships the ground she toddles on). No more though, I’m still in toddler stage and we are In our 40’s, too tired to do this again.

shapes1 · 02/08/2021 21:32

Wanted 1 and have 2. Was persuaded by various ppl and hubby to give my eldest a sibling so I did and I'm glad I did. Both boys and love them to bits. Used to think I wanted a girl but now I have my boys I wouldn't have it any other way

Rabbitheadlights · 02/08/2021 21:33

If you'd have asked me at 21 I'd have told you I want no children.

Today I'm sat here while all 7 are up in bed. Best thing about my life by a trillion miles and I'm so grateful I changed my mind.

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 02/08/2021 21:34

knew I wanted lots but got a rather late start due to circumstances...

have 3

realised I am forever broody and would probably always want one more so it seemed sensible to stop an love the ones I had

Apeirogon · 02/08/2021 21:37

Wanted 2, have 3 (changed my mind rather than an accident!).

TheGoogleMum · 02/08/2021 21:38

I wanted between 3 and 5 at one point! I have 1 and now am not sure if I want more (it'll be 1 more tops!)

supermum87 · 02/08/2021 21:38

When I was late teenager to early twenties I wanted 5! I have 2. I possibly would have had a third if money wasn't an issue. But absolutely delighted with 2.

SameToo · 02/08/2021 21:41

@finalcall thank you. I’ve heard it’s not so easy to get but I’ll explore anyway.

EezyOozy · 02/08/2021 21:42

Wanted two, got two, still want two. I'm very lucky in this sense.

LaProcureure · 02/08/2021 21:45

Don’t know how many I wanted, I don’t think I’d ever really planned it, but more than 2. I’ve got 4. And I do love having a larger family. DH fancies one more, so I may end up with 5. We’ll see. I think I’d be happy either way.

EmilyEmmabob · 02/08/2021 21:47

Hadn't really considered it until I had DS1, then I really wanted 3. DH was on board with that until we had DS2 and he was worried we wouldn't have enough of anything to go round 3. I think he was worried about having more children than he has hands. So we stopped at 2.

I'd happily have a 3rd, I think I'd be more relaxed and easy going. However, I've made peace with the fact it won't be happening, I've gone back to my career and my 2 DS keep us so busy. Due to my age it would have to be now and it's just not the right time.

So sorry to those people here who have suffered losses and infertility, my heart goes out to you.

RandomUsernameHere · 02/08/2021 21:49

Wanted 3, DH wanted 2, we've got 2 and very happy. I desperately want a horse, a cat or a dog though!

LibertyFLiberty · 02/08/2021 21:49

Not sure how many we wanted but we've got two and we are done. 😁

Starjammer · 02/08/2021 21:51

Wanted 1, got 1, and she is utterly perfect.

FuzzyPenguin · 02/08/2021 21:55

Wasn’t bothered about kids, had one, by choice as husband really wanted a baby and I didn’t feel strongly either way. He is the best thing I ever did and I feel complete.

museumum · 02/08/2021 21:55

I always imagined two but then I thought I’d have them before I was 30 and have a job with maternity pay.
In reality I didn’t marry till 34 and started my own freelance business, had my first at 36 so we stopped at one. Very happy.

Bloatstoat · 02/08/2021 21:56

Wanted 4, have been lucky enough to have 3. It all took longer than I had thought, having naively assumed that one time without contraception was all it took to get pregnant. Had a lot of complications with the last pregnancy, both consultant and midwives advised any further pregnancies would be very risky, and I'm over 40 now which wouldn't help.
Flowers to those who have had losses, I have myself and I know how awful it is, and to those dealing with infertility, it must be so hard. I do realise how very lucky I have been.

Sadmum23 · 02/08/2021 21:56

Wanted 6 have 5

mumoftwomonkeys · 02/08/2021 21:57

wanted either 2 girls or 1 boy and 1 girl and i have 2 girls Grin

Passthewinebottle · 02/08/2021 22:02

Two or more, I have three. I would have had a fourth if we were better off financially (would need to extend house or move really).

WeDidntMeanToGoToSea · 02/08/2021 22:04

Wanted 3, have 3. Not an easy journey (multiple mcs).

WhingyNinja · 02/08/2021 22:05

2 and baking the second right now. Early pregnancy is hideous I hope to never have to go through this again. 🤢

weegiemum · 02/08/2021 22:15

I wanted 3, dh only 2

Pregnancy with #2 was awful and I reluctantly chose to stop at 2. Had the mirena fitted.

Mirena slipped into my cervix (we think now during a smear test) and I got pg with #3. Dh couldn't have been more delighted! I was really ill in and beyond pregnancy and spent a lot of time in hospital. Dh had a vasectomy during the pregnancy and I was so relieved.

#3 is 17 now, studying to be a beautician and the light of our lives.

merryhouse · 02/08/2021 22:21

8 4 and 2