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Find out all about large family cars, holidays and more right here.

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Find out all about large family cars, holidays and more right here.

Larger families

Really want DC3 - DH doesn't

36 replies

hmmmtricky · 02/05/2012 14:22

Hi all,

Apologies for posting on a topic which I know has been covered numerous times but I'm really struggling with the fact that my DH is adamant he doesn't want a third child and would appreciate any suggestions on how to deal with it.

Not sure "Larger Families" is the best place to post this either as I don't really think three children is a particularly large family!

We always agreed to have "at least two". I think, before we got married, DH was more keen on three children than me as I'm one of three and had some reservations (my younger sibling got left out a bit but suspect that was more to do with the very large age gap).

We have a DS who is 4 and DD who is 3 in the summer (16 month gap). When DD arrived and was tiny, DH kept on saying how brilliant it would be to have three under three. He liked the idea of the challenge (weird, I know). I said I three sounded great but I wanted to have a more "normal" gap this time so as not to feel too exhausted/sick etc. during my DD's babyhood. (As I had terrible morning sickness when pregnant both times, plus lots of stress and long hours at work - which meant I didn't enjoy my time with DS enough when he was litte...) Anyway, I've been campaigning for a third for 18 months now and DH has told me, repetitively, he just doesn't want one. He can't give a good reason for changing his mind and says there are lots of reasons not to want a third, just like there are reasons to want one. We agree that there is no objectively "right" decision here. And I know that we can't have one if he doesn't want one.

Financially, we are fine and could afford another one - although DH doesn't quite see it like that and says it would have an impact on our lifestyle (holidays, cars, potential school fees later on/childcare costs). However, we are fortunate and I think definitely could afford it. I'd move to a cheaper house if necessary (although not a great idea as we just moved last year and shelled out loads on stamp duty, fees etc).

I'm slightly more concerned that the stress of a new baby and juggling three children would have a negative impact on our marriage but I think we could cope.

I don't just love babies/toddlers - I really love the idea of having three grown-up children around for birthday meals etc. (well, at least sometimes!) and I also like the idea of each child having more than one sibling to turn to if they need help.

Should I abandon my hope for another child and try to come to terms with it or try, again, to persuade DH to consider it? DH is very stubborn and it hasn't worked so far. (By the way, I do appreciate how lucky I am and love my DS and DD tremendously.) I'm 37 so don't want to leave it much longer.

Any thoughts gratefully received!

Thanks.

OP posts:

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s0fedup · 28/10/2012 19:19

hi tricky
I thought I would give u an update...
I told dh on friday and he is over the moon!
i cannot believe the response I was so sure he would hit the roof. Not sure why the change of heart but I am not complaining!
I hope you are ok? how are things with your dh? x

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bigears36 · 17/06/2013 09:37

hmmmtricky are you still out there? your thread struck a chord with me. are things ok with DH? x

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s0fedup · 19/07/2013 16:56

I was wondering too x

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BeginnerSAHM · 23/07/2013 18:38

Hello... I'm here... New username...

DH still adamant he doesn't want a third. And I haven't got a job at the moment so have even less than no chance of changing his mind! We're getting on a bit better. Well, a lot better but things still aren't easy. I'm still very resentful i suppose (although trying not to be).

The miscarried pregnancy had a due date this May so am a bit sad about that. DH never mentions it and blanks me if I do.

How's everybody else?

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dirtyface · 23/07/2013 18:44

oh i really want dc3 as well

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beachesandbuckets · 10/08/2013 04:13

Not sure if this helps or not but this is my experience. Dh didn't want 3rd, full stop. Citing same reasons as other dhs - family complete, giving elder 2 attention, holidays, car, money etc. I took the approach that I wld be lax about contraception. I got pregnant last year, then had a mmc discovered at 12wk scan. Was utterly devastated. Decided to persevere. Got another bfp on the dute date of my mmc baby. Dh not happy, said 'I had emotionally blackmailed him'. This was with reference to me getting upset when other announcements of 3rd dc pregnancies starting rolling in and key dates of lost pregnancy. At 7wk scan found out...twins. Oh. Dh really not happy. Refused to talk about it, lots of nasty comments, pregnancy miserable as felt totally unsupported, he refused to touch bump when moved, help me out (saying he didn't want them, I wasn't ill etc). Bloody awful really. He sounds like a nob I know, but he really is a lovely bloke normally. Had babies recently, was bricking it thinking that if one had special needs then I would get even more lack of sympathy but luckily all ok in that department. Also bricking it going into hospital thinking 'what have I done', with older dcs being palmed off to relatives and friends. I worked all the way throug my pregnancy to ensure money concerns were kept to a minimum and will be going back (I am main breadwinner). Babies now 2 weeks old. I have found him in their room kissing them and whispering to them which is obviously a good sign, and he cuddles them and shows them off to visitors. Whenever older ones kick off however, he still gets cross and the usual line is 'you wanted more kids'. Also I am doing all feeding and nappy changes as feel like that's my duty as I wanted them _ although to be fair he has been doing all cooking, washing up, tending to older dcs and without complaint. I think our relationship has massively suffered, definitely been the low patch of the last 11 years, but I think it will survive (money is stretched so we cldnt afford for him to set himself up separately anyway). Had to cancel holiday this year which was difficult to explain to kids. Happy for you to pm me if you have any questions or need further advice (am typing this on my phone at 4am whilst feeding babies). Good luck.

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BeginnerSAHM · 10/08/2013 09:34

Thank you for sharing your experience beachesandbuckets. And congratulations. I really appreciate you being so honest. I'm pretty sure we'd go through similar issues if we did have a third. (Or third and fourth at the same time .).

I really hope things get better for you and DH - it sounds like it could do and it's early days yet.

I'm also very sorry about the mmc before your twins. Horrible.

Good luck with the twins and life as a family of 6!! I imagine it will be ridiculously busy but, hopefully, a lot of fun (sometimes anyway!). xx

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beachesandbuckets · 11/08/2013 01:41

Thank you. I guess the ultimate question is 'do I regret what I did' and the answer is 'no'. I would have always felt resentful against my dh. Its going to be tough (a family of 6 was never in the plans) but worth it I think. Good luck, have trul been there x

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BeginnerSAHM · 11/08/2013 20:11

Yup. There we are then. I know I'd feel the same if I had a third, whatever happened to my relationship with DH. Thank you again for being so honest. And I hope you're getting some sleep...!

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s0fedup · 16/08/2013 22:38

Hello
little update from me too...
DS3 arrived in june and dh is totally smitten
We had a huge row when she was 4 weeks (stress related) where he shouted that he resents me and her...
Thankfully it seemed to be said in anger as he has since said he didnt mean it. (he has form for saying cruel things during arguments)

He just adores her and this week he said having her was the right decision!?

I do all of the childcare, night etc but he does lots of cuddling and chatting. And tbh i am loving and savouring every minute of her babyhood because I know she is my last baby so I really dont mind!
She is also an amazingly brilliant and easy baby so its been a breeze... so far...!!

He still.thinks i got pregnant on purpose but she is here now and there is no point in going over that every row so he seems to have dropped it.

I really hope you and dh can resolve this. I know it would have eaten me up with resentment if we had not had our acident. I was always thinking 'im compromising not him, why does he get to say no and thats it??'
She really is a miracle and im so thankful.

Wishing you all he best xx

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BeginnerSAHM · 16/08/2013 23:37

Glad you both had happy endings. Not sure I will. That sounds very self-indulgent and silly! Never been able to get over dh saying he thought i should have a termination before the m/c. Really wish I could but I feel like there's something rotten about our relationship. He's a brilliant father and can be a lovely husband. And i do still love him, i think. But he should have said he'd support me no matter what. I do think the intense pressure and stress (from him) caused the m/c although i'll never know. I know it was incredibly early, so it's nothing compared to what a lot of women go through, but I'm still extremely angry with him, I suppose. Trying not to think about it, to be honest!

Good luck to everybody else xx