I'm new to the boards and am looking for some advice. I have two girls (4 and 2.5), and my husband and I are thinking about number 3. I'd like some (honest) feedback from those of you who have three or who are in a similar situation. Or anyone who knows people who've had the same struggle. I feel like we go back and forth, but shouldn't I feel "done" if we're truly done? I can name a million reasons that 2 is a good number, but I continue to think "what if ..."

HELP!

well we have 2 one is 5 (just started kindergarten) and the other just turned 2 our 3rd is due in sept. we went back and forth on this but decided now was the time since oldest ds was gonna be entering school and it might be easier for me to make the adjustment during the day with just 2 home. i think it will work out well. plus we wanted to be done soon so that as the youngest gets older we can enjoy more family fun vacations without all the bottles ect so a good year or more and we will be back to the point we are now with our boys and outings. and dh really wanted to try for the girl thank goodness he is getting it cause 3 is all i was willing to have we can't afford a bigger house! lol

Well, we have three. The oldest is 6 (in first grade), our middle just turned 4 (in preschool 3 days a week) and our baby turned 2 in April so they are pretty close in age. We knew we wanted three and we knew we wanted them before dh turned 40 (he was 39 when the baby was born). It just depends on your situation, your age, many factors.

You will decide what is right for you and your family.

I have two- a boy who will be four in Nov and a girl who just turned two. I would like another child... but I have to say that my kids seem to be a lot harder (on a consistent day-to-day basis) than other people's children. My ds has had severe separation anxiety since birth (has not improved with age) and still does not sleep through the night at almost four. He has night terrors, sleepwalks and over all is a very restless sleeper. He is very high maintenance, slow to transition, becomes very attached to things. In short, he is very intelligent and sweet but he is A LOT of work, requiring a lot of patience.

DD is easier but no slacker. On top of that, she has multiple food allergies. She just turned two and no longer takes any kind of nap.

Both kids are very early risers... ds between 5:30-6 and dd around 6-6:30.
Neither one EVER falls asleep in the car. They are very curious... into everything. Ds does not like to watch any kind of TV.

So I have to ask myself: how would I cope with three? I can't imagine being able to give ds any less time than I already give him. I have to cook a lot from scratch for dd. I feel pretty stretched to the limit right now.

So any time I feel the baby urge, I have to evaluate the situation: have things at home eased up? Would I be able to give all three the attention they want and need? Being honest with myself, I know that these two particular children are all I can handle right now. If I had two different kids- ones that napped or could eat anything- I would probably go for a third. But, as Claire said, every family is different. You have to decide what is right for you.

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I don't believe in miracles; I depend on them

I'm in the exact situation cept i have two boys. :D I want another one more than dh does. In fact i think he's done with two. I just can't stop thinking "what if"....also. I wish i could feel done but i don't. Not sure what will come of it but we shall see.

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Jodie....Wife to Andrew (1995)
Mommy to Riley (2000) and Wyatt (2003)

Have six...and you will just KNOW you are done!!!!! LOL (I wouldn't give back a single one, but if I was to find out I was pregnant again tomorrow...well, let's just not even go there!!!!!)
Seriously, if you can afford it, and you want it, do it. We need more mommies and daddies out there who actually WANT their babies, you know?

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We (well I) have been on the fence with this issue recently too. We have DD- 6 and DS -4 plus a SS -12 out of state. I keep thinking oh, just 1 more, but DH says he'd like to be able to retire someday (He is 10 years older than me) . Financially, I don't think we're in a position to do it, there are days I wonder how we do it now!
So I guess finances is our deciding factor....now if my heart would just stop doing that little leap every time I see a baby, I'd know I was done....

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Well, this is my situation. I have a 3 1/2 year old boy and 12 month old gil. I want to try for another next year. Will see if hubby lets me. He says we will talk more next summer.

I have a stepdd 9 and dd's 5 and 31/2 and my baby boy is 41/2 months. We didn't try or plan for our ds, but we would not trade him for the world. The girls LOVE to help with him. He is just as much their baby has he is mine. I would say go for it!

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I also agree that it is entirely up to you and your husband. I just had my third baby, and am finding that I enjoy her just as much as my 2 boys. My kids are 3, 2 and 3 months. My oldest loves to help with anything that I allow him to, and the middle just adores his little sister. I think that if you want another baby, then go for it!
Rachel