are 3+ kid families becoming more common?

[Anonymous]

I have found myself noticing families with 3+ or more kids. It could just be my community/social circles (or my own desire to have a third), but it seems like its becoming more common to have more than 1-2 kids.

Anyone else seeing this in their circles?

[Anonymous]

Yes. Live in what was an UMC neighborhood that’s turned just plain rich. Families with the most money have 3-4 kids and it’s a reflection of their available resources (space, local family, au pairs, etc.)

When I was growing up, the only families I knew with 4 kids were my friends from church and the really rich kids. So maybe things haven’t changed all that much?

[Anonymous]

I see more 3-4 kid families too, younger families (all kids under age 8). They are very wealthy.

[Anonymous]

Only see Mormons with this many

[Anonymous]

I have six and am not religious at all.

[Anonymous]

I definitely feel like there are more families going for a third, not a fourth though. We're in regular middle class DC (limited space and budget for extra help, but comfortable enough).

[Anonymous]

OP here. I see it in wealthy families, but also in (DCUM's version of) MC and UMC families. We are a two parent working household, normal careers, no local family or family wealth. 3 is not impossible, but we would not be as comfortable.

[Anonymous]

I see a lot of accidental 3 kid families lately, one older kid followed by twins. When I was growing up, I didn't know a lot of families with more than two. In fact, a lot of my friends were only children.

[Anonymous]

Not new. My kids are 19 and 15 and we were one of the few who did have a 3rd in our friend group.

[Anonymous]

We have a few in our circle of friends but they were all IUD babies!

[Anonymous]

I’m in a wealthy neighborhood and almost every family here has 3-4 in rapid succession. I grew up lower middle class and most families were 2 so I’d say it’s less of a “sign of the times” and more a sign of wealth.

[Anonymous]

Like two PP already said, common for the third to be an unplanned baby. That's with me and mine also.

[Anonymous]

Growing up my circle was predominantly 3-4 kids. I grew up well off. 2 was rare in my circle.

Now I find that the number is 2-3. All the people who would have had 4 thirty years ago are having 3. Add that together with the people who would have always had three and you’ll find three kid families more common.

But some of the people I know who assumed they’d want 3 are stopping at 2 for burnout, financial and fertility reasons.

[Anonymous]

Lots of young families with 3 kids in my neighborhood. It is incredibly family- and kid-friendly, though, so it’s probably attracting people who want 3.

[Anonymous]

Not in my [UMC, DMV, mostly dual income family] circle. Recently a slightly younger friend announced they are having a third and while I am happy for them, as they seem excited, privately I was shocked. I cannot imagine having 3 kids and living the life we currently live, which I think is great.