How do you know when to stop????

[john3sixteen]

I have 3 gorgeous kids, DS 4 years old, DD coming up 3 and a 7 month old DS2. Thought I would be happy with 2 kids, but everytime DH mentioned having snip I felt bit panicky. Thought would be able to say for definite after number 3, ok thats it baby making days are over!! But....still have that niggling doubt! How do you know when thats it you are happy with the ones you have and no more?

Do not get the snip, go on the pill, use condoms and have a coil fitted all at the same time, but do not have the snip unless you both KNOW it's time to stop.

I was booked in to be sterilised but I cancelled the week before my op. Even though I haven't had any new additions since, I'm so glad I didn't go ahead with it.

As for knowing when to stop - I'm told that most people just know when their family is complete. I'm still waiting for that feeling although I am beginning to accept I probably wont have any more (reluctant DH).

As madmentalbint says, some people just know when their family is complete. For some people there's always room for one more.

i am also in the same position, we have 3 beautiful children, and dh only wants one more, but my gut instinct is 2 more, i also want to know when you know enough is enough?

Its really hard isn't it, and I just think the snip makes things so final...its nice to know others are in the same boat..people keep joking like are you stopping now that kind of thing but I never know what to say as I don't know!
Madmentalbint- that was courageous of you to stop the op before it went ahead.

i had 3 dds
my 4th was my ds
after 4 horrendous births and my last child nearly not making it we decided that we would not have anymore plus we had a ds after 3 daughter.
DH had snip
9 years later we both felt broody guess we will have to wait for the grandchildren.
i Think its far easier to manage more children when they are smaller they are cheaper and ime are less demanding. Its when they become teenagers and they are all at different stages in their lives and have competing needs and always demanding time money etc i am finding it more difficult and now thing if we had had another one it would be a real struggle

very valid point, tbh had not thought that far ahead, sometimes its easy to get stuck in the here and now!
thanks everyone