Wanting to extend our family of 4 dc to 6

[sum04]

I've just had my 4th dc at the age of 28 and Im already thinking of extending my family.
I really miss being pregnant as well, and feel quite down after every pregnancy untill i fall pregnant again.
We would ideally like 6 dc, but would like to wait at least a year before trying again.
I would love to hear from others who have a family of 6 dc to hear how family life is and just how hard it is to have so many kids.
Also do you find people judge you, as I constantly feel that people are staring at me when i am out with the kids and whispering.

We have 5 but the eldest was only just 4 when the boys arrived. We have 2 sets of twins so get looked at like we have 2 heads anyway lol. It's hard, it's tiring and at the moment I feel we would do a lot more if we had less children (or maybe that's because the boys are at the awkward age of 1 so can't walk but can't sit still lol

I have 4 and no. 5 is due in Nov. We were not planning to have any more and I do find myself worrying about how I will cope with an extra one. All mine are quite young - the oldest will be 6 in a couple of weeks.

I have found with all of mine the tiny baby stage is relatively easy, as other than feeding/ changing ect they don't really need to much, it's when they get to about the 1 year old stage they get much more demanding! My youngest is currently 9 months, and I'm finding her much harder work!

The other thing I have found is trying to juggle all the kids and various activities is hard. My DH works very long hours so don't get very much extra help in that direction!

I can sympathise with the reactions from other people though. I frequently get asked if they are all mine when I am out with them...we haven't told alot of people about no 5 yet, and I am partly dreading peoples reactions!

I personally am finding 4 quite hard now, will let you know in another 6 months if 5 is much harder....

Hi Sum - I had number 4 at 28 and liked the idea of more.

However here I am at 39 and I'm so glad I didn't rush into anything. There are aspects to parenting that I would not have considered when my brood were under 10 - dealing with the needs of small ones is very demanding but I have found stetching myself to accommodate the needs of four older children a whole other ball game.

I'm only guessing from your age, that your oldest is probably not yet 10. My advice would be don't rush into anything. Your comment of, 'I really miss being pregnant' would start alarm bells ringing for me. I'm sure you are a fantastic mum, but it is possible to get addicted to pregnancy and newborns. Some mothers will always feel broody throughout their entire reproductive lives, ( I have a friend like this) but we are more than just instincts and it is important to see babies for what they really are: individuals with more complex needs as they grow. Don't mix up your own needs with theirs.

If you really feel you can give 6 individuals what they need at each stage in their lives then go for it - but don't trust that fuzzy post birth euphoria that tells you you could keep reproducing forever - that's just nature's way of keeping the species going and with 4 you've done enough.

Good luck I hope you make the right decision for your family.

I second everything emphatic says. I've got four dcs spread out from 14y-11m.

I had no idea how different and difficult the teen years are. Don't rush into anything. If you get to 33-35 and still want more then do so but give yourself time to adjust to what is now not what you think you would like now.

If we had limitless funds etc then I could be talked into mare quite easily but as things stand I know that 4 is sensible and so we'll be stopping here!