Should I go from 2 to 3..am I mad?

[iliketrees]

Got two children, dd 4.5 and ds 2.5, and keep thinking about having another. Always wanted three but pregnancies are high rish and early babyhood are nightmarish for us (both babies had awful sleep first couple of years). It would be easy to say forget it and not go for a third but I think I would regret it later. We are just leaving the hard years of feeding and nappies (me thinking naively of course!)and I am getting back into work etc but I can't let it go. It's not just being broody..I want this for my children as much as for me. three is good - isn't it?? Need some encouragement please...

[scully]

I've just found this week that I'm pregnant with number 3, due Feb08. dd1 is 5, dd2 is 18mths. Won't be telling anyone for a while yet, but are fully expecting the 'trying for a boy' comments, followed by the 'what if it's twins'.
I'm hoping it will be easier to go from 2 to 3, and with dd1 at school, and dd2 going to nursery 2 days a week by the beginning of next year, I'm hoping to get some regular 1-1 time with number 3, even if it will have 2 very loud siblings to compete with
Being outnumbered does concern me though

[allgonebellyup]

its harder to have your own life with 3, harder to work and arrange childcare, i should imagine.
i have 2, and find that hard enough , i would dread having 3 that i would feel i had lost my identity and small social life that i have..babysitters dont really want to babysit 3 kids including a small baby do they?
the thought of having 3 scares the bejesus out of me!!

[PetitFilou1]

Handlemecarefully, ditto on the age gap, ditto on the nearly losing my sanity!
But.....I am still going to have another one. Me and dh have endless discussions about why it is a good idea not to have another one and it always ends up with me saying 'but I just WANT another one' and him saying he does too However, we are aiming to wait until ds is in or almost in school before having another, 3 at home at once would definitely kill me. It is a good job I can't get pregnant at the moment (I have an IUD) or I know I wouldnt' be able to resist. Go for it iliketrees, as you say you will always regret it otherwise.......

[NAB3]

I have 3, now aged 6 and 3 months, 3 years and 11 months and 2 years 2 weeks. It is damn hard but a lot of that is because I do everything on my own as hubby is out at work all day and I have no family. It is a lot harder than 2 but I would never change it.

[fannyannie]

"babysitters dont really want to babysit 3 kids including a small baby do they?"

perhaps I'm just lucky (or maybe my friends daughter is bonkers ) but i'll be playing for the confirmation service at our church in 2 weeks time - and my friends daughter (who regularly looks after the older 2 DS's will be looking after all 3 of them at home - and DS3 will be 7 weeks old!).....and she jumped at the chance !

[cryingoutloud]

I am pregnat with number three and reading some of these posts are making me a little nervous. My husband and I had many of the same discussions that alot of you are having but ultimately it came down to we just want another one. Children never truly make sense. You give up soo much for them but it's worth it (don't quote me on that because I know they'll be a nightmare tonight).

I still have days when I'm unsure about number 3 (and sometimes about all of them)but you live for those little moments.

[cryingoutloud]

I'm pregnant, not pregnat

[iliketrees]

Thank you all for your posts - making me feel like grabbing my dh right now and getting it over and done with before we get embroiled in any more discussions. Its not a rational decision having 3 is it? It just comes from the heart not the head and i'm sick of doing the sensible thing. enough is enough.

[handlemecarefully]

I think you are right ilike - you can rationalise until the cows come how, but best to do what your heart tells you

[Mog]

I had three under 3.5 and it was very hard. Really relentless for a long time.
But three is such a laugh. There is so much noise (too much sometimes) and fun in the house. It does make you a laid back mother just because you haven't got time to dress them in coordinating clothes, take them to Kumon maths and entertain them (mne will make up games on their own and play together for hours - no bad thing).

[Mog]

mine