Continuation from 'Only Children'

My husband and I both came from 3 and wanted 3. That is, until we actually had children! Now we have 2 and are very content and don't want anymore.

I think no matter what the circumstances, it is great for children and grown adults to learn to be happy with whatever God provides - be that no siblings or 20 brothers and sisters.

Learning how to do that is a GREAT gift in life.

Personally I think children are a blessing from God and I wish I had had more when I was still fertile and able to do so (I have two amazing sons).

I have 2 siblings. I'm not close to them, but we get along. There isn't a dislike, or anything...we just have absolutely nothing in common. Growing up, we could have been only children!! We didn't play together, interact, or really have much to do with each other. I love them, but if a tragedy were to happen or we lost our parents, I would go to my husband and friends for support. They would be very far down on my list, of who to call for help.

With that said I have one son. We are happy being a family of three and don't desire any more. My husband is going to get a vasectomy in the near future. I would never let myself feel guilty, for not giving my son a sibling. He is not the one who has to parent and raise the child and he does not get to make that choice. I had siblings and have no relationship with them, so it doesn't always work out that way. Having multiple children, does not mean they will be best friends. DNA does not equal bonding. My son is loved and supported by many people and he will never be lonely!!

I'm an only child, and I always swore that I would never do that to my kids if I could prevent it.
I didn't miss anything as a child. But now, I WISH I had a sibling to be close to. I feel very lonely sometimes. And as my parents get older (and I've watched my mom go through this as an only child, too), I dread the day that I lose them. Because then, I'm alone. I have my own family, of course, so I don't mean to sound morbid. But when I lose them, I'm on my own.

I have 2 kids now, and we're done. But they'll always have that relationship.
They may not be close as adults - who knows. But they'll always have that close connection to someone else. I don't.

I am one of two and always thought I would have two also. I ended up only having one :)

I'm the oldest of three, my hubby is the youngest of three. I always thought I wanted a big family (even number like 4 or 6) but after having our DD who is EVERYWHERE we have agreed on two, if that :) Our family sizes didnt factor our decision for how many kids we wanted though.

My husband and I are both the oldest of three. In both of our families the youngest turned out bad. We wanted more than two. Three didn't seem to be a great number in our family. So were went for four! Expensive, but a great decision. They are now 11, 14, 17, and 19. Three boys and one girl. I am very lucky!

I was from a family of 3 kids. I wanted 2 but didnt get my second until 19 yrs later. only children grow up lonely for the most part. and in some ways it effects their ability to understand socializatioin rules. my oldest brother has 2 blood and one step. I have 2 blood and 2 step. I like the bigger family. I got a divorce from my oldest ones dad when he was little so unless I just wanted to get knocked up at random by any man my choice was one. and I wasnt going to make my situation harder than what it was. now my oldest who was an only wants 3 kids. why I dont know. now my little brother has no kids and doesnt want any. so you are trying to figure out a guessing game. I dont think family size factors in my oldest ss has 6 bros and sis and wants no kids. my youngest step son raised him and his brother only who knows what he wants. :)

My FIL was one of 5, he was unplanned 15 months after older bro. He was very firm that they'd only have 2, he wanted to be able to do things for his kids that he missed out on. Also wanted kids to feel wanted and not neglected.

I was one of 3. Wanted 3, and then realized the amount of work involved and settled on 2. I think people should have at least 2, good for kids to learn to share and deal with sibling issues, just good life skills to learn growing up. However many more you have, is up to the individual family. BOTH parents should agree, and really think about the financial sacrifice they'll make to have more. Agree to live in that lifestyle and be emotionally available for all the kids.

I think my FIL's issues had more to do with his family seeming to reject him (unplanned), and ignore him, middle child, with quiet personality, rest of family very vocal and antagonistic. He also knew they'd never had lots of money and wanted his kids to have private Christian school, music lessons, etc... So 2 was plenty. For me, I just can't imagine my attention being divided in a 3rd direction. I know I could acclimate, but its nice to have a hand to hold each child's with, a knee for each to sit on, etc.. Divide and conquer for "date" nights with each kid etc... Also don't HAVE to own a minivan or SUV, and kids have some space. Live in a 2 bedroom house, so kids can share. These are some of the personal things we hashed through when planning to stop at 2.

Best wishes!

I have a sister but always wanted to be an only child.
My sister and I both only have 1 child - she a girl and me a boy.
My husband enjoyed being an only child and our son likes it, too.

I am the oldest of 5 kids. Sometimes my sibings were annoying, and of course we all fought but most of the time we had fun together. I myself have 2 kiddos that are darn near grown. Now is when I wish I had more babies! LOL I don't think it was exactly a choice, it just kinda happened that way. I had an IUD to keep from having another too soon and just didnt get it removed til my youngest was 10. Then it seemed silly to have another and got my tubes tied.

We are both from 3-kid families, but want only 2 b/c that's what we can realistically afford. If we could afford more, we'd have more! Being 1 of 3 didn't impact "how many" aside from knowing that we didn't want "an only".

We feel complete with just one. We felt that way from day one and I never had any urge to have more.

She is a vibrant, well adjusted, independent 16 yr old and can't wait to have her college experience. She is already applying for and visiting college. I love her enthusiam, love for life, goals and positive attitude.

We never planned another and we have no regrets.

Our family is complete and just right for us.

I am 6 yrs older than my brother. I probably see my family every 3-4 yrs.

three is not always a "bad" number! Two's not a bad combo, & neither's just one child!! The child's individual temperament & character will determine their life choices.....we can only practice what we preach & hope the ideas we instill last them a lifetime.

As for family size, this all breaks down to what your heart & budget can hold. & as a heads up, it's amazing how much more your heart can hold than that stupid budget! & please also forget about what your own siblings are doing, & make your own choices.....

& one more thought on the "bad" egg in the family: no matter how hard we try to instill good behavior in our children, they're still going to chose their own pathway in life. If they deviate from our own personal way of living, it is their choice/temperament/personality. All we can say is that we've done our best & pray for their safety. Peace.