How many children do you want? Ideally?

[redplanet]

Are you having less than you would like to becuase of financial/ social/ practical restraints? Do you think you always regret not having the last one?

[sheeplikessleep]

Have two, pregnant with very much wanted DC3, who will be our last.
Have always wanted 3, DH always wanted 2 or 3. We've spent the last two years umm-ing and ahh-ing over whether to go for DC3 or not. So happy we've gone for it. Going for 3 seems a much more indulgent decision, but we are so excited and happy (and I was relieved DC3 wasn't DC3 and DC4).

[Itsallabout]

I have 1 but always imagined I would have 4.
But nature had a different path in store for me and I cannot have anymore children.

Im happy and blessed with the 1 I have.

[MamaBlue4]

I have 4 and I'm expecting my 5th. I'm 23 and have been working since I left school, my DH has a job that earns very well, and mine pays well too, which has allowed me to save well over the years. My job is stable and steady and are allowing me to go part-time, if I wish. Dh works very hard and long hours but it works for us.

We're very, very lucky to be able to live securely and stable financially wise to raise our dc. It's still very difficult and even stressful, but luckily money hasn't hindered us wanting children. Ideally we settled on 5 and so this will be our last baby. We're very happy.

[Ragwort]

redplanet - sorry, only just noticed you asked me a question.

No, I won't change my mind - I had my first (and last), child at 42, I am 55 this year, been through the menopause and certainly won't have anymore .

[TallyGrenshall]

To start with I wanted none and OH wanted 2 or 3

We have 1, and now I want another and OH wants to stick with 1

[scarlettsmummy2]

Have two, if money was no option I would have another one or two!

[juneau]

Wanted two and have two. Definitely won't be having any more. I'm at the limit of my tolerance and exhaustion. Cannot, for the life of me, imagine how people cope with more and manage to enjoy it!

[Still18atheart]

want 3 but would settle for 2

[ScentedNappyHag]

I want two, but I don't have the room for another one
Hopefully I'll manage to move eventually as I'm already regretting how big the age gap will be.

[Beatrixpotty]

Just had my 3rd and this will be my last.If it wasn't for age (39,DH 43) might be tempted to have another..

[Bowlersarm]

I wanted 4. DH wanted 2. We have 3 . Now they are all just about teens, and the terrible broodiness sibsided a few years ago I am so so glad we didn't have the 4 i originally wanted. I am knackered and not sure i could have coped with that fourth! They are all lovely, and we have a great relationship, but it's full on. I am in awe of those with more than three

[lightsandshapes]

I have one. I would like another 1 or 2. I am 36 so I'd better get a move on.

[rrreow]

I have one DS, and am pregnant with DS2. I initially wanted two and be done having kids by 30 (I'll be 28 when DS2 is born), but I'd also really like a girl (and so does DH). I really hate being pregnant though and not sure I want to do it a 3rd time. I'm not ruling out a 3rd though! And if we have 3 we might well go for 4... I don't know, I think it will come down to practicalities/finances in the end.

[willyoulistentome]

I'd have loved to have 3. Got 2. DH had a vasectomy after number 2. Fair enough he already had 3 others - so that made 5 for him. Do feel quite sad about my mising number 3 though.

[PearlyWhites]

I have four, I would like at least two more maybe three.

[Chiggers]

I have 2 although DH had talked about having 3 or 4. As soon as he made it clear that he wanted more than 2, I spoke to my GP about getting referred for sterilisation.

I got really excited when the date for the op came through as I couldn't wait to put an end to having more DC. I just didn't want to be pregnant ever again even though the pregnancies and births were fine.

[GraceSpeaker]

One. Wasn't massively keen on pregnancy, birth was messy and I've found I'm not suited to sleep deprivation and baby-induced monotony! One perfect little thing is fine by me.

[equiliteral]

Pre-children I wanted 3 or 4; I have 2 (aged 4 and 2) and it's perfect! No more babies for me . My 2 are great pals, I can just about manage to find enough time for each of them, and I still have a (little bit of a!) life myself - all fairly civilised (I will live to regret saying that, I am sure). I don't know how people manage with any more. I also far prefer being a mum of toddlers / children to the baby days, couldn't go back there now.

[sjupes]

For my expecting dc3 and saying i wasn't sure about it - we found out yesterday dc3 is a second dd and it's starting to feel like my family is complete - i know i don't want more but after not being sure about dc3 i know she is just right.

No more no less i think 3 will be my magic number :)

[Neiffer]

I always wanted 3 or 4, currently pregnant with dc2 and suspect this will be our last :( We struggle with money as it is and double childcare costs etc make it harder. And dh only ever wanted 2...who knows, maybe one day we'll have a third z

[Jayne266]

I want 2 and I have one waiting until DS starts school before another.

[AnameIcouldnotthinkof]

I have 4 DCs. I wanted 5, DH wanted 5 or 6. We started young (though not by choice) and hoped we could have all the DCs we wanted.
3 biological, 1 adopted.
I an ideal world I would have one more but I cannot have anymore DCs. However I am greatful for the DCs that I have and we would love to adopt more in the future.

[doublecakeplease]

We have 1. We'd dearly love another but i had a rubbish pregnancy and my bp (not pre eclampsia, just ridiculously high) put me at risk, meant our DS had to be born early by emcs and was really ill for a while. We hate that DS is going to be an only child, we love being parents and would have liked at least another. But i don't think i could face it all again. Makes me sad BUT we're lucky to have DS...

[mysweetie]

I ideally want 3-4,. but change it to 2-3..lol I have 1 as of now and DH is away so I think things will be as planned.

[jellybeans]

I always wanted 3 or 4. However once I had 4 (3 & 4 were twins) I wanted a 5th. Always wanted big family. Don't want more though feel complete :)