anyone NOT have three kids and NOT regret it?

[lovingmumhood]

Trying to get as many opinions as possible in our conundrum of whether to have three kids.. wanted to hear from people who had two kids who had wanted three at the time but who are happy they didn't

I stuck at 2 when I could have happily gone for another. It was a definite head over heart decision but I feel very sure it was the right thing in the end.

We're having the same predicament! Hoping some more people respond on here with this bump!

Had 2 and was totally happy, definitely no more. Then found out I was pregnant, absolutely floored, shocked, upset, devastated really. BUT baby is here, 8 months old, best thing that could've happened, she's amazing and has fitted in, really completed us. We look at her every day and wonder how we didn't know we needed her!

Yup, me. Desperate for a third for about 3 years. DH wouldn’t budge, was adamant that we had enough on our plates and 3 would be too much of a stretch.

He was right. We have a really good life now that they’re a bit older (10 and 8) and I have time for each of them as well as time for myself. It was definitely the right decision for us.

Yes. Me.

Had 2 then wanted a 3rd with new DH (he didn't have any children). I got pregnant then had quite bad antenatal depression. I mc at 10 weeks. It was horrendous.

We waited a year then DH got the snip. We decided that we should focus on the 2 we have. Im sure it would have been awesome to have that 3rd. BUT it really did show how tricky the logistics were gong to be. DH is 10 years older than me, so it felt like we'd missed the moment.

I love life now. Dc are 10&8. I'm unwell today. They have made their own packed lunches, put on a load of laundry and generally got on with their day. They do the school run alone, so life is SO much easier. We have nice holidays and generally a good standard of living.

I now work pt in a job I like, and have no more childcare costs.

I do get broody every so often, but actually just because I want something doesn't mean it's right.

Although I'm one of 3 and had a bloody lovely childhood!

Interesting thread...

I always wanted 3 children (I am one of 2 and DSis and I always felt like we were "missing" someone). DH def wants to stop at the 2 we have now (he is one of 3).

For me it's a head over heart decision. I would love to carry a baby again, love being pregnant and would happily give birth again. Loved breastfeeding. But it's everything that comes afterwards... It feels like we are just seeing the light at the end of the tunnel now (youngest is 2.5 years old). I honestly think a third child would put too much strain on my mental health, given I have had 2 awful sleepers (they still are) and it has been quite damaging for me and DH in many ways. Also loving finally getting my career back after 5+ years as a SAHM/freelancer (my choice). Having said all that, if I did fall pregnant (highly unlikely) I would absolutely keep and love that baby - what will be will be.

Hope that helps xx

Oh and as theboud says, my 2 are crazy demanding atm (although hopefully that will lessen as they grow up) and I don't know how I would input into 3 kids' lives (e.g. homework, reading, sport etc) and stay sane!

DC2 is 9 weeks old and we've just bought a massive fuckoff car for when we have DC3 Maybe I shouldn't read this thread haha!

We didn't stop, and I wasn't unhappy with three, BUT I can definitely see the advantages of stopping at two, for the children, for the parents for the finances.

I didn't think of those aspects when I had three, and suspect I was a heart over head person, although I wouldn't have recognised that at the time. If I thought it out hard and fast the reasons for stopping may have won.

I don't regret DC3, I think it's very hard to register child once you have them, but it would have been a different life.

Regret a child. Predictive text thinks it knows better than it does.

We have two DS(3), DD (9m today). We are both 38. DH wants another one, I am less keen. I want him to have a vasectomy. He has been to see about one but would have to pay- not a problem. I am not going to make him do it if he really doesn't want to. I don't know if we have 100% made up our minds that we aren't having 3.

Typed a long reply then lost it!

Have two, I wanted 3 but DH didn’t. We were both one of three, me the eldest and him the youngest. I liked being one of three, him as the youngest felt not bothered with, and my youngest sibling is a lot less happy than me.

He also challenged me to think of a happy 3rd that we know and I couldn’t.

If there had been accident I am sure we would have loved them to pieces. But now I am happy with the two. I am fit again, working, we have nice holidays and we can plan fun things as a four.

I've wanted three since I was a teenager - i'm one of three & it just seemed 'right'.
I had DD & that went to shit, i swore i'd never have any more. Pregnant now with number 2 (my resolve crumbled when she went to school) & now I am absolutely 100% positive i want no more & will looking at sterilisation next year!!