3rd child??? What prompted you?

[Bagabee]

I have a two boys ages 4 and 1 - both healthy and (hopefully) happy - and I feel I should quit while I'm ahead. But I sometimes hanker after a third. For those out there with three, what made you do it - and would you recommend it?!

I start one of these threads frequently! No one ever actually gives me an answer which decides for me; I'm still agonising and need to decide by next year really!

Logically and sensibly, we won't. But that seems such a shame...

I have four. Three was great (to be fair, dd4 came when dd3 was 22 months, so we didn't do it for long). We've found it a lot harder with dd4. Three, however, we found very manageable....

My DH and I discussed for a year before trying for dc3.
We were both happy with 2 but inside I knew I wanted another.
We weighed up everything- cost, space, family dynamics etc. Also the fact that it would set back life going back to 'normal' by another 3 years or so.

Dc3 is now 1 and it was the best thing to have gone ahead with number 3.
Yes, it's hard trying to get all 3 dressed, organised, etc, but it will only be for a short period of time. As long as you are organised, it's fine.

Best decision we ever made!

We have 3 ds', we just decided we wanted another one day, ds3 is now 4 months and ds2 and ds1 love him to bits they are all close despite there being an8 year gap between ds1 and ds3.

It's not much harder work than 2 just the extra washing etc. We already had a big car etc as I'm a cm.

I would have a fourth it's the pregnancy bit that puts me off as I have terrible pregnancies!

It is tempting. I am 39 next year so cracking on. Even found myself on an adoption website yesterday although that would be a whole different ball game. I think the head says we're done, but the heart says go for it. Should probably listen to the head. I have some lovely names in reserve though :-) x thanks for all comments x

Bagabee I am the same! And I think we just decided on Fri that we're going to go for it! Despite us moving to Sydney for 6 months in Jan 2015 when sproglet 3 would likely (hopefully) be just a few months old. In fact, it is crazy really... But I guess we'd manage somehow!! All the best whatever you decide.

For us we will stick at two

The main things being space/ finance and freedom

By freedom I mean ease of travel and getting out for us. We travel a lot with work/ leisure with children. If one adult flies with x2 children its easy to take a hand each/ or carry youngest and hold a hand at airports/ trains / through cities etc. also a lot easier for one to control x2.
I think we would feel out of our depth having more children than adults. And the thought of crossing a road in say New York with x2 toddlers holding hands but 5 year old having to just stay close would freak me out a little

Hotels are easy with 4 as usually bed and sofa bed at minimum for family room

Childcare for x2 or working from home with x2 is easier IMO

Also depends on age gaps but if I had say a 6 and 4 year old, the thought of going back to baby years would make me hold back

A surprise BFP, we weren't planning. I always wanted 3, don't know why. DH was having dreams about us having a son for months before my BFP. DS is due in Jan, just meant to be I guess. Will be tough space wise and I will have 3 under 5, dd2 will be 22 months, but I am looking forward to it.

Yes I would recommend it and there were two main things - firstly a feeling of not being done. As soon as dd3 arrived my broodiness vanished and has never come back - she is now 6. I thought I would always hanker for more dcs but no, once you're done, you're done, it seems. Secondly I wanted another chance at the first few months and year. DD2 was diagnosed with a heart defect at 6 weeks and though she always remained well I worried a lot and was left feeling a sense of loss about her early years - that I could have enjoyed them more. Selfishly I wanted another chance at that.