Ever regret having the third child

[Anonymous]

We are strongly considering having a third child. We can afford a third but our lifestyle would need to change. We feel ready to make the sacrifices necessary to expand our family. Perhaps I'm a bit aprehensive because I come from a family of two kids so three seems out of my comfort zone (DH is from family of four kids). People always tell me, "You would never regret the baby once he/she arrives" but I wonder if there are others out there that truly love their third but if given the chance to do it over again, might have stuck with 2 kids. Thanks in advance for your honesty!

[Anonymous]

No. I understand your apprehension about the work involved but that's different from "regretting" having a third. There are moments of craziness in my household of 3 kids. Just this morning: lunch boxes filled, shoes tied, teeth brushed, all times 3. All three talking at once. But they are each such interesting individuals and I love them each so very much. And it's wonderful to see their relationships with each other.

[Anonymous]

My third child is my abosolute favorite of the three I have.

[Anonymous]

Our third child enriches our family in ways I could not have imagined.

[Anonymous]

Our third is the hardest (took 9 months to sleep through, seemed to be sick alot from germs from elder siblings, etc.) and if she had been the first, she would have been an ONLY child, but that doesnt mean we regret having her, we love her to pieces and our lives would NOT be the same without her. If you are entertaining the idea, go for it!

[Anonymous]

No regrets at all. Because now that he is in our lives, I cannot imagine not knowing this amazing little person, cannot imagine our family without him.

[Anonymous]

I am about to have my third and am already excited!

I have met ONE woman who regretted her third, and frankly, she was a wack-job anyway.

If you are really thinking regret is the word...hold off until you feel a little more sure.

[Anonymous]

I totally understand what you're feeling. We didn't plan to have a third - in fact we were going to stop at two but (thank you, mini-pill) I got pregnant. I absolutely love my third child and have no regrets but I could also have been perfectly happy with two.

[Anonymous]

Never ever ever do I regret my 3rd child ( and 3rd boy).

[Anonymous]

I completely understand your concern and it is true that the third child really changes things. Just this morning I was thinking that with just two kids, we could get out of the house in an hour each morning, but with three, it takes at least 1.5 hours. It's not the kid that changes things, it's the kid plus the overall dynamics. But,I cannot even imagine not having our third. Other than the first week when I thought I had ruined our lives, I've never regretted it. And, even when I thought I ruined our lives, I was so in love with my baby that I still wanted her and didn't really regret having her.

[Anonymous]

Ok - I'll be the voice of dissent here - to a degree. I love my third child - she's a sweetheart and super-funny to boot. However, the third pregnancy was unplanned, and at a time that I was beginning to make the shift back into the working world after years of being a SAHM. At the time that I became a SAHM it really impacted our lifestyle. My husband works crazy hours, so I was always on for the kids, money was tight, and there really hasn't been a break or a chance to get "me" back. I was trying to reclaim a life for myself after my older two hit school-age when #3 became a reality, and that plan bit the dust. So, I don't regret my child, who is a joy and a wonderful addition to the family - I do regret the impact that having a third child has had upon me personally, as it had a huge impact on my personal life and goals. But that is just my situation - it sounds like you are in a different place, and you would probably be very pleased with adding a third child. Good luck to you!

[Anonymous]

bump. old post but interested in more feedback.

[Anonymous]

Our third is autistic and has in many ways made our lives a living hell. Having said that, he is the greatest gift I've been given to date!!

Have your third.

[Anonymous]

we just had our third, not planned, child. We have three under the age of 4 now and it's difficult in ways I didn't think about. the effort to get things done and just make sure two of the three are diapered is extraordinary, making dinner is harder, getting out of the house is harder, working is harder. that said, our third made our family. I didn't know that would happen until we had her and she's only 4 months old right now. I can honestly say we're totally complete now. I know that down the road things will get easier but on a day to day basis, things are hard. I've learned to just relax a whole lot more about just about everything ( and honestly, that's been a really good thing for my uptight personality! )

[Anonymous]

As with any child, be prepared in case there are special needs. We have two healthy boys. DD haS special needs and takes significant time, resources and emotional energy.