Why did you chose to have a third?

[orangedrizzle]

I guess I'm just interested in why you chose to have a third child? I've just had DS2 and I'm feeling insanely broody. I'm 32 and DH is 36 so we have a bit of time but not lots. Did you regret going for a third? No judgement here!

Third is awesome. Always hoped for a little gang of children. Love their relationships and games together. Fourth was brilliant too, but hard to limit mayhem they cause in a house full of older children’s toys and stuff. We had 4 under 10 and are finished!

@MeanMrMustardSeed wow 4! That's impressive! Are they all the same gender or different? What do you think are the hardest bits about it?

So mine is a bit different in that my second was mine and DH 1st together so number 3 was like 2 in a way. My eldest is 9yrs older than DC2, so we wanted one close in age, there is a 17m gap between them.
DC4 came along nearly 9years after dc3, much wanted and we tried for 19m for him. I just didn't feel done as silly as that sounds. I'm expecting DC5 in June and there will be 22m between her and dc4.

DC4 is my only boy unless DC5 scans are wrong.

I am one of two but my parents are from bigger families, I wanted that. I loved get togethers, not fussed on holidays or travel outside of the UK.

I personally found the jump from 0-1 hardest. 2,3,4 have all been ok in terms of managing.

I always wanted a big family. Being completely; I don’t have 1 con for 3 children and lots of pros. Mine all play together wonderfully and have a great friendship. I have 1 girl and 2 boys. Tempted on number 4 but DH isn’t having any of it.
3 is brilliant! Lots of laughter, fun & love.
No, I have no regrets at all.

I never expected to want a third, we both thought we wanted two. But when we had our second we loved that it was totally amazing all over again and started to think, what if we did it again, we’d get another amazing person. And suddenly two children seemed too neat and tidy, we kept noticing families of three kids when we were out and about and the idea just never went away. I don’t love the baby stage so it was definitely about the long game for me and the family we could build. Took us a long time to decide to be brave and go for it, talking down all the rational reasons to stick at two, but nearly every day we say to each other that we’re glad we did.

@BurningBenches @LadyWhistledownthe1st @Himawarigirl this is very insightful so thank you. Do your children share rooms? We have a 3 bed at the moment but the plan is to move in the next few years. Would probably have to have the third before we move though as DH would be closer to 40 then. Also do you have a huge car? I think it's the practical things scaring me really. Oh and financial!

Just reread your post and notice you said that you’ve just had ds2. That’s when it hit for me. I remember looking at my ds when he was around 7 weeks and the idea of a third occurred to me and never went away. 🙂 my older two (a girl and boy) share a room, largely happily. We’d like to give them their own room in time and do have an awkwardly shaped bedroom that we could probably split in some way, so we may do that. We have a Volkswagen people carrier, which fits loads in but isn’t actually that much longer than our old car. And if you had all the seats down it’s great that you could have a set of grandparents and all of us if needed (and allowed nowadays!).

When I had my second child my aunt said "oh how lovely a boy and girl I imagine that'll be it for you two now", so i immediately decided I definitely wanted a third child. Only we had twins for our third pregnancy and ended up with four under 5!

Then we had a surprise baby number 5!

I have two sisters and was undecided on a third child until my mother became seriously ill and disabled. Having my sisters was such a comfort that I decided then and there that I wanted a third.

It’s hard work but worth it. She’s lovely :)

@MissSmiley wow!!

@Flibbertygibbertywoo that's interesting I had a similar reason in that I was one of two but DSIS died age 29 (bastard cancer) and I really felt the lack of sibling support since, miss her masses and would love my DC to have more siblings. We have 3DC and it's great, think we are now done but if last pregnancy/birth had been more straightforward we may have continued to a 4th.

@orangedrizzle dd2 and 3 have shared for most of their life (until recently) through choice. When DC5 arrives they'll share with DS (22m gap) until older. My eldest is in their 20s and doesnr live at home.

In terms of cars, we are currently considering a 7seater we managed with 2 in car seats in a standard (Cmax) and had a 7seater when 2&3 were little. We've just had a standard car again for the last few years, but 4 at home will mean getting a 7seater. Not that we have been anywhere to need a car in the last year!!

I felt very broody. I wanted a fourth to round it out but was denied.