The pros of sticking with 2?

[thesortinghat]

DH and I have had many a discussion about having a third dc and until now have been on the fence, however in the last month we have decided that 2 is right for us. We have two dds (3 & 1yo) and although we would both love to have a ds (or be equally happy with another dd) atm 2 is right for us.

We're both too young to make this a permanent decision but I'd like to know the pros of life as a family of 4 are so I can move on from the pg/newborn/what if stage.

This might not help but I had 2 dc's and loved having 2. The whole world is geared upto 2 children.
You have 2 hands so can hold both dc's
There are 2 parents so bothe dc's have a parent for 1-1 time
Holidays are often catered for a family of 4, as are many attractions
Afterschool activities are easier to manage with just 2
There is no arguing about who sits with mum on the sofa, 1 on either side
2 kids are easy

When DS was 9 the desire of wanting a third was so strong, I now have 4. It is a lot harder then just 2 but it is wonderful

food is sold in packs of 4 generally,
3 car seats pain to fit in some cars,
parents evening won't last as long ;)
3 is an awkward number

I have 1 of each so that's enough for me :) We were tempted a couple of years ago but then decided against it in the end.

If your H decides the grass looks greener elsewhere and leaves then having two children means you have one hand for each child.

They fit easily into an ordinary car.

Into the no nappy and no buggy stage more quickly.

3 x uni fees doesn't bare thinking about

3 x school shoes, school blazers in secondary school

All great reasons, though I hope dh doesn't get bored! TBH finance is probably the biggest issue and cjbartlett your points are pretty important.

Getting babysitter/s for 3 if ever you want a night off could be more tricky.

I have 3 DD's, The 3rd was unplanned. They are now 24,21 and 19. They have all got on most of the time. all there have been arguments. At different times different ones have got left out but it always seems to resolve itself. Holidays can be difficult but when that were younger we used to go to Euro camps We either hired there caravans or tents which were fully equipped and slept a family of 6. When we did stay in hotels we did have to get 2 rooms which wad expensive. We did go to Disney world in Florida and would have loved to have stayed on the Disney hotels. but that wasn't possible, So we hired an apartment on a holiday complex which was just s good. Some family tickets for things are for 4 bur we found a lot were for 5. 2 adults and 3 children.

I'm one of 3. I'd love another, but the house, my sanity and the budget would find it a stretch. Most of all, though, I remember 3 to be an awkward number. As mumeeee has said, there was always one of us left out and two of us getting along. Who was left out changed on a regular basis. When I take my two round to my sisters to play with her only child, the fact that 3 is definitely not a magic number rears its head quite often.

Have ds and dd - my mum went to great pains to tell me that I didn't need any more because they only come in two varieties!! Having two means we only need a 3 bed house (which we can afford!) and only having a 3 bed house means I can keep it clean and tidy whilst still working :o The idea of a third hasn't ever really crossed my mind tbh - I like toddlers and pre-schoolers but these preteens are enough to put you off...

Like others have said, one adult per child with 2. Too expensive for more.... cars, holidays, uni, school, clothes, food the list is never ending. And more time with each with my two DDs

Thank you everyone, you seem to have given the same reasons as we came up with money, space, hands etc... I think we're making the right decision, just takes a little adjusting too. Might print out the thread for strength when the broodiness kicks in :)

My dsis announced she was pg this morning with her 3rd. Very excited but really doesnt help :(