Number 4?

[3Kids3]

I am hoping for the wisdom of mumsnet! I have three lovely children aged 10, 8 and 6 but over the last year have been increasingly thinking about another. I am old though - 40(!) and husband is in his early 50s(!!)

Am I being unrealistic and unfair to any potential child we might have due to our age? Financially we are secure and have a big enough house/car for another. We can also afford for me to stay at home during the early years.

My other half isn't sure and thinks we have passed one of the hardest bits in child development and should just enjoy the freedom of our children growing in age e.g. more lie ins(!) but I can't stop thinking about this. I think we have so much to offer another child in terms of love, access to resources, space in our minds and lovely siblings.

I realise this is our decision but I am interested in other views. What would you do?

I can only tell you that by beloved father has me at 49. He was a spectacular father. I was very aware of his age though. He went on to develop dementia and died when I was in my twenties. It was very difficult. He has missed out on so much, and I have missed out on showing him so much of my life, including my children. They will never know him. Given my experience, I would stop at 3.