If you did it again, would you have the same number of kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids get MORE exhausting as they (and you!) get older. It's not just the exhaustion of the newborn stage. We stopped at 2 - the kids are now 11 and 13 - and I'm thrilled we didn't have another.

How do they get even more exhausting? Have one toddler and cant fathom it being harder.

They're out past curfew, driving alone for the first time, madly in love with a gothic druggie from 3 blocks over...

You are hilarious!

[Anonymous]

We had a third. And it was one more than we could handle in some ways. There was a big and ongoing impact on my health.

If I could go back, I should have stopped at two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had a third. And it was one more than we could handle in some ways. There was a big and ongoing impact on my health.

If I could go back, I should have stopped at two.

how old are you now and how old is your third? Maybe you're still in the hard years of small children.

[Anonymous]

We had 3. The second one is 8 years younger than the first. The third one is 5 years younger than the second. It was the spacing that made it manageable emotionally, financially. We were able to enjoy each of them at whatever phase they were going through.

[Anonymous]

I had 4 in 4.5 years. It was perfect for us. Before children I had thought I wanted 6 but after 4 it just felt right to be done. The close spacing has also worked out really well. I would do it the same again. Kids are now 6-10.

[Anonymous]

2 kids, 2 years apart. Efficient and perfect for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids get MORE exhausting as they (and you!) get older. It's not just the exhaustion of the newborn stage. We stopped at 2 - the kids are now 11 and 13 - and I'm thrilled we didn't have another.

Me too! Love having my two but I know it was the right decision not to have a third.

[Anonymous]

We had two and went for a third and ended up with twins at 40! It can be exhausting and there are times I worry about being an older mom, especially with teens. But I grew up with one sibling many years younger and quite frankly I enjoy the chaos of having a big family-despite the daily fights, yelling, and crazy schedules. A nightly glass of wine helps too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had two and went for a third and ended up with twins at 40! It can be exhausting and there are times I worry about being an older mom, especially with teens. But I grew up with one sibling many years younger and quite frankly I enjoy the chaos of having a big family-despite the daily fights, yelling, and crazy schedules. A nightly glass of wine helps too.

That's key right there - I don't like the chaos, and I only have two kids. The older I get, the more I like peace and quiet.

[Anonymous]

If you are thinking about it this seriously, you should have the 3rd child. I waited too long to have my first, but fortunately conceived easily. Then waited too long to make the decision regarding a second. Now, at 46, its looking more and more like a second may not happen.

[Anonymous]

We have three, spaced about 3 years apart. It was a long period of continuous babies, diapers, childcare, legos, barbies. Not that the kids are older, though, I'm happy we went with three. It is fun to see them interacting with one another as teens/young adults!

[Anonymous]

Could only afford one kid and DH is super lazy and selfish. Not much to ponder.