If you had your time again, would you have more than 2?

[Jenn500]

I had two quite close together who are 2 and 4, and always wanted 3. Though I feel like it’s so much more of decision with the third, as it feels bit unnecessary, and also have the knowledge of how hard baby and toddler years are. Because of having two close together was so hard and took the joy out of it a bit, I would wait a bit till older two have 30 hours free childcare. I didn’t want too much of an age gap though. Still feel like it’s a heart over head decision though, as financially it makes sense to stop at two, I also have a boy and girl, but something in me wanted more children but not too many.doubt I’d want a fourth.

i wanted to see if those who had that third kid think it was the best decision, obviously no one regrets a child, but if you were reincarnated, would you stick with two?

No. I love the pace and busy-ness that comes with having three children. And of course, each kid is different and interesting individual with their own perspective on life with a whole different adventure ahead of them, it's not like the difference between picking up two or three cans of baked beans at the shop, a third child isn't an unnecessary extra.

Nope

It's the extra expense. Everything is set up for two kids

Yep. I started too late and had some health issues that mean sterilisation with my second C-section was the best thing but I'd have loved more. It's not practical or sensible but...

Just for clarity, my no was in answer to the last question in the op which was, if given the chance, whether you would stick with two and not the question in the thread title.

No, it's a perfect balance for us.

No

Yes I'd have 2 more, state educate them instead of the current private, they'll wear hand me downs and I'll drive a clapped out Zafira. Dinner times will be noisy, sofa crammed, sock swapping.

I have 3 and desperately wanted a 4th but sadly miscarried, they would have been 0, 3, 6 and 9 at the birth. X

My 3 are 15, 13 and 7. The only thing I’d change would be a smaller gap between 2&3, it’s that big because I had a MMC between 2&3.
I think the bigger gap is harder on dc3, as the older two have always had each other, and have similar interests / sense of humour (bad 🤦🏻‍♀️🤣 teenage years!) tv likes etc.

God no.

I thought I wanted 3, but we felt just a little too old to keep pushing our luck.

Now I've a 13 year old and 10 year old I can't imagine having more to deal with than I currently do.

Thanks for the reply. I also don’t want a large age gap as I feel I Would lose the benefit of having two close together, but at same time I’d like to work for a bit and have a break for broken sleep.

Yes! I have three DC - my husband needed some persuading to try for number 3 - they're all adults now and have all brought us so much joy. In particular, if I hadn't had number three I wouldn't have my wonderful DIL and three of my wonderful DGC. We have never regretted our choice for one second.

For hotel rooms alone, max two wins out for me. So.much.easier.

No, l am glad l stopped at two, my husband died young so its all down to me and l have found the teenage years to be quite stressful. It is a huge responsibility, l have done a good job but not sure l could have managed with three, as your children get older, so do your parents and that can also bring a different set of challenges, you can feel sandwiched in the middle, this is something l gave no thought to whilst my children were young.

We've been pretty lucky finding suites big enough for five but I prefer self catering and that's a pretty easy task to find one that accommodates all of us

I have 3 DC, always wanted 4 & still miss that mythical 4th baby that's very clear in my mind!

Logically, it's nuts. Single parent, exhausted with 3, v little support. I am also lucky to have had 3 healthy DC. But I still wish I'd had 4.

No, bad for the environment, hotel rooms and cars.

I have 3, aged 6, 4 and 1 (oldest two are 18 months apart) I absolutely would have a third again, we wanted 3 so had 3. We can afford it so why not. Our 3rd is the icing on the cake, it completed the family. When we had 2 someone was missing. I'm one of 3 and so is my husband, it's the norm to us I guess. If you can't afford it though don't do it it, you need a car that will fit 3 carseats, at least a 4 bed house and then holidays and days out are always more ££.

I did feel a bit like I was rolling the dice maybe 1 too many times too, having a disabled child would have had an awful impact on my other children, you do have to consider it. I miscarried with my third pregnancy too, I'd been very lucky up until that point to get pregnant immediately and have easy pregnancy and births. I did get pregnant again immediately thankfully and it was a smoothish pregnancy but the birth was awful and I had really bad birth injuries that I've only just recovered from over a year on. Quite a shock when my first 2 I didn't have any recovery at all, I felt great immediately after the birth. I'd still go through it for him again, but I guess I'd got a little cocky thinking I was the birthing champion 😆.

3 us ace though, relentless (i work ft too) but I love it!

i had 3 under 3, looking back now I don’t know how I survived - none slept through, all had allergies, all suffered with reflux and it’s all a blur but I loved/love it!
I was adamant I’d never have anymore - 3 was what I wanted and it took alot out of me raising them (I got very Ill)
however when youngest turned 6 I felt like I needed one more -
one to have all to myself, without the craziness of it close age gaps etc.
im now due my 4th girl next month .. so looking back I wouldn’t change a thing & we made it through the very hard 3 under 3 years and I just love my life. It’s busy, loud, hectic and we don’t have a single day in the week with no clubs, all our money goes on them, we rarely get new clothes, hair cuts etc because we chose to give them everything but I wouldn’t have it any other way. :)

I have a similar age gap with my two and and more than happy with just two. I had already decided I was never having anymore children ever again when I was 27 weeks pregnant with my youngest. Who is now 7. You couldn't pay me enough to want to be pregnant ever again TBH.

My parents ended up with twins for their third (and unexpected fourth) child. I was terrified of having twins. The chance of non indentical twins also increases with age apparently. So yeh, never having anymore.

I had two close together, then had another one 10 years later. If I had my time again I would have had three move. Seriously, having kids is fantastic.

I have two grown up DDs - 18 mths between them. I would have loved at least another one, but I was 36 when DD2 was born and thought I'd be pushing my luck a bit to go for a third.

Noooooooo!!!!!!

I had a very brief time when I got broody for number 3. But I never wanted to be outnumbered. The expense, the mess, the space and attention they need. No way.

I have three, with four year gaps between each.
if I had my time again, I would definitely have three, and maybe have the third a bit earlier and have a fourth.
it’s been great!