3 Kids ~ to Be or Not to Be

Hi J.!

Well having just recently took the plunge for #3 (I am 16 wks along) I can tell you why we decided to... I wrote a post similar to yours a long time ago when we were trying to decide. One M. wrote to me and said, you will never regret having a child but down the road you may regret not having one. I decided this would definitely be me, always wondering how it would have been if we had had the third etc. I know it will be chaotic as I have a 3 1/2 yr old and a 2 1/2 yr old, but I figure if we can manage 2 kids 14 mos apart a third one now should be something we can handle (or so I hope lol). I say go for it! :)

I just had my third child 2 months ago. I have a 9 year old daughter, almost 2 year old VERY ACTIVE BOY, and a 2 month old baby girl. I was contemplating the third, but my husband and I decided it would really be nice to have two close together. Our boy is a LOT of work, so I know what you mean. The way we look at it is the more the merrier and it is really a sacrifice just the first couple of years and it does get easier and better. I love having the three, it's pretty cool. Of course, three take up a whole row of seating in the car. hehe
I say go for it and try for that third!!

I have four kids under six (Boy, then three girls). I was having the same questions as you only about the fourth. I finally decided to go for four because I just didn't feel "done". I say "I" because my husband wants more!

Now they are all asleep and I can say I'm so happy to have four. (Ask me around dinner/bath/bedtime and I may give you a different answer). All kidding aside, I think if you're debating you should go for it because you'll never regret it. And you'll always wonder "what if..."

Now I absolutely feel done and it's a great feeling. I'm so happy with my big crazy family. We decided to have them close in age so they can enjoy the same activities, more or less. But I can see the benefits of spacing them out as well.

yes it is a personal choice. i myself am a mother of 3 with a different situation. i have a 14 and 12.5 year old from my first marriage and decided to have 1 more with my new husband, she is now 3.5. so for me i am now starting all over with everything. my oldest and youngest are 10 yrs apart. the baby was planned and i dont regret our decision at all but i feel a little bad for her that she doesnt have a sibbling close to her like my older two do. so you wouldnt have that problem. remember that this 3rd one would take time away from your other 2. that you and your husband would be out numbered by the children. it takes some balancing to manage 3 compaired to just the 2. if you have the time, patience, room in your house and car for one more, i say go for it and soon as to keep the little one close in age with his/her brothers. good luck to you and follow your heart.

I was once told by someone that you won't regret having more kids, only less. If it feels like it would be a handful now, then wait. As your other two get older you might find it easier to have a third, especially when your older boy starts school. I have a friend who had her third when her first two were five & six. Even though they're years apart, they're still close to her in their own sibling ways. They were also able to help their mom when the baby was little & now that the youngest is three, they're able to help keep an eye on her when they all go places.
What I'm saying is, even if you're not ready now, you can always wait and have a third later. Don't let the age gap be a factor. When it feels right, it will happen.