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What made you go for four? Pros and Cons?

30 replies

Mum8 · 26/10/2017 06:47

I Have three kids age 3, 5 years and a 7 month old and I’m 39 years old. We decided with DH this was it and I even gave away baby things to friends. But now I feel like I want a forth one again and want to really think it through... I had gestational diAbetes with my last DC which I successfully managed with diet and my DC3’s Labour was not easy though all was good in the end.
Did anyone have a fourth child? Late as well? And with a small age gap between DC? How is it? I will be 40 early next year so if I had a fourth it will not be earlier than at least 41 years... love kids and four will be more balanced but not sure about burden it can bring to the family with another pregnancy and Labour etc...

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
euanthesheepiloveyou · 30/10/2017 17:47

I have 6 & absolutely love It! Number 6 was born just after I turned 40 & there's a 1 to 2 year gap between each of them. Yes, it's a mad house at times but they love being part of a big family & it's so nice watching the different relationships develop & grow. It's fascinating how the dynamic changes & they always have someone to play with. I'm one of 5 & my husband is one of 6 so it just seems normal to us. Yes, sacrifices have to be made...we might go camping for holidays instead of flying off for a fortnight by a beach somewhere hot & clothes occasionally might be shared & passed down instead of new every time...BUT in my opinion the positives of a big family far outweigh any negatives. I'd have another if 40 wasn't my cut off!! Also I don't want to push my luck - 6 pregnancies & 6 healthy babies - I feel very lucky. I don't think you'll ever regret having another. Love multiplies. 💜

Mum8 · 30/10/2017 21:23

Thank you firawla, it may be that the big gap helped not to have GD, not sure I could afford a big one at my age... Will have to wait and see what I will do ...

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OneMoreTune · 30/10/2017 23:48

Is there any particular reason why you want another? Sometimes it helps decide if you are truly honest as to why. Empty nest, wanting a particular sex etc. You have to weigh it up and think through to the longer term.

I love babies under 1 but found after that is when the hard work really starts. Newborns are comparatively easy to a tantrumming 3yo who argues loudly with siblings, I found. That’s what put me off having another the most. Constantly having to referee and compromise and reason.

Mum8 · 01/11/2017 16:50

OneMoreTune think it is because I want a particular sex even though I have already from both sexes and because it will be more balanced. 3 is lovely, has always been my dream but a healthy four esp with my desired sex will make me so happy! And I keep hearing from moms with four that it is better as each kid has another one to connect or play with and no one is left alone

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OneMoreTune · 01/11/2017 22:37

It’s a risk, having a child for a preferred gender. No judgement, to be honest I was the same as you - both genders but with a preference for a particular one for the fourth- but I decided not to do it mainly because of the work and stretching myself too thinly, but also because although the other gender would have been loved and treasured just the same I know I would still not have achieved all that I wanted in the venture of having another child, and I didn’t want the wistfulness to be magnified (as I think I might have done) with the pressures of four.

A part of me still wants a fourth Smile

But personally I know I’ve reached my physical limit in dealing with three, so the decision has kind of been made for me.

Also putting me off is the concern of having a fourth with health issues. Again I would deal with it and the baby would be loved and cared for, but the extra work would mean my eldest two in particular would have to be short-changed.

In an ideal world I’d have a fourth, healthy and of my preferred gender ideally, and a couple of nannies to help with the school run and the practical side of things whilst I did all the fun things Smile that would be my dream, but all that ain’t gonna happen Grin

On the other hand it could have been the gender I’d prefer but the work it would take even with the preferred gender would have overtaken the joy.

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