Did you/will you have as many kids as you planned?

[secretspirit]

Sorry I know I'm always going on about but now I'm expecting my first baby I can't help thinking about families all the time! At the moment I'd love to eventually have 3 kids but everyone I've said that to said 'Ooooh no, you'll change your mind once you have the one and you'll never have more than two'. Would you agree with that? Did you have the number you always planned or now that you have a child/children would you have more?

[Chouchou]

Wanted three, had one, never want another.  Besides the lack of energy needed per child, I'd rather spoil my daughter with attention and extra-curricular activites than deal with more than one child. 

PS. my sister has five!

[silly moo]

I wanted 4 - had 2.
Planned on 2 close then gap then 2 close.
Post natal depression mildly after first and more severe after second.
16 1/2 months between.
Glad now that children grown up and left home and we can enjoy our money ourselves (selfish).

[andy hughes]

My wife and I had two daughters from her first marriage, fairly close in age, so we did plan to have two more, close together, so they could grow up together as the older two did. We had the first baby, another girl, but complications meant we couldn't have any more. Four girls would have been fabulous, but I believe childbirth is a gift, not a right, so I am very very happy with the children I have, and don't miss the 'fourth' we didn't manage to have as well.

[libertie]

Always thought I would have two, one of each (wanted to be mrs average!) had two boys 18mths apart - now both grown - and never had any more, for no other reason than I was quite happy with two.

A little envious of you expecting your first child as I remember feeling so happy and excited at the prospect of having a new baby, it's such a wonderful feeling - so enjoy and good luck to you and your new family.

[Cheesefreek]

I actually didn't want any children.  I had absolutely no maternal feelings at all.  Then I got pregnant at 36 with someone I'd only just met the month before!  We now have 2 sons and are still together 15 years later.  The second child was planned cos I wanted my son to have a brother or sister.  I still can't quite believe I'm a mother even after all this time! cos it was something I'd never planned for in my mind.  The best bit was telling people who knew me that I was pregnant.  The sound of dropping jaws was deafening!  Although I think that my jaw dropped the furthest!

[kick3m0n]

well baby no. 1 is nearly 18mnths old.  Always thought I'd like 3, still do.  However, I want to enjoy as much time with baby no. 1 as possible, so will probably wait till he's at nursery (ie is 3) before (hopefully) having No. 2.  Couldn't possibly make  him an only child. My parents were both only children and absolutely hated it, as did my best friend when I was growing up.    Baby no. 1 is an angel, which is perhaps why I still entertain the idea of 3 kids......but my friend down the road had her 2nd, who is the opposite (really difficult baby) so she's definitely stopping at 2.  Maybe the same will happen to us. I'm 34 today (!) so can't leave it toooo late if we are lucky enough to have 3.  Better get practising!  How long have you to go secret spirit??  Hope you're enjoying your pregnancy to the max babes!!! xx

[ratbag66]

Always thought I'd have two, which I did with my first husband.  Got divorced and re-married and had another child with new hubby.  My children are now 15, 13 and 2!

[Top totty]

Had first son with ex partner when I was 20, I honestly never gave other children a second thought and just persumed I would only have the 1.

Met my husband when son was 8 and have since had another son and then a daughter.

 

Yes they are hard work but a lot of fun. Never would have imagined myself with 3 children in a million years but they are the best things in my life.

[SGKelloe32]

My daughter is nearly two and i always saidi would have�2 close together, but after shewas born i thought there was no way i couldcope with another one that soon!!I would love another one when she is about4-5!! But i will have to meet teh right manfirst!! But god help me, been told3 times off different psychics that imgoing to have twin boys - argh!!

[Le Chat]

Had one with husband no1, who is now 8. I did want two but husband was not interested in helping to look after our son, so I decided to leave it at one.

Met husband no2 and as I was 39 we decided not to have any. (even though he was a childless 30yr old) Became pregnant due to a having an operation (a long story) and we now have a 15 month old who is just teriffic! However, there is for me a difference in having a child at 32 and then 39! ie, I feel tiredness more, even though the baby is very easy!

So I got what I originally hoped for in the end!!

[EssJay1]

Wanted 3, have 3. Problem that husband wanted 2 "one to replace each of us". Luckily he stayed long enough to provide number 3. Have since brought up 3 wonderful children and never regretted a moment.
Go for what you feel is right and good luck. How much longer do you have towait?

[Lindy Loo]

I decided that it I didn't have children before I was 32, then I wouldn't have any... Partly because of getting set in my ways!

What happens? 2 boys within 17 months and the 2nd one born 3 weeks before my 32nd birthday!

[secretspirit]

Thanks for the answers, I'll have to wait and see how I feel but I'd still love three children. Although I'm enjoying pregnancy but I'm not sure I want to spend YEARS doing it! I've got just under 10 weeks to go so it will be quite soon I meet my little daughter but it's very scary. Good luck to all of you with your kids.

[beachy]

I wanted 2 had 3 and am very glad I did - with 2 teenagers and a younger 10 year old she keeps me sane

[nrmatth]

I was with someone for 8 yrs and never wanted children with him. we started dating when i was in 7th grade so that was pretty much all i knew. when i finally left him i married someone and got pregnant with my daughter and wanted no more children. when we divorced i reunited with a man that i grew up with and always had a crush on since i was a kid. We had a little boy. My daughter looks just like me and my son just like him. and they're 2yrs minus 10 days apart. We are happy and will probably be together forever, I've decided to use precautions still, but let nature decide on a third one. After that I'm done. All said, changes in my life have determined how i feel about children in general, and how many I wanted. I feel going through this helped me become a good mother enjoying what I have been given but also not depending on my children to be happy and seeking the happiness for myself that radiates off on them.

[ann_h]

Take it as it comes, depends on your partner, and your health.

Didn't really want kids, I thought, but got pregnant at 21 and had twins. Loved them so much, decided to have five!

As things turned out, had a son 9 years later with bloke #2, 2 losses,  and now another 7 years later, a final daughter with bloke #3.

I am pretty sure that had I met bloke 3 earlier, I'd have had even more, but 4 is enough!

 Not what I'd ever have planned at the start, but I'm happy.

[Otrere]

I agree - take it as it comes. I only ever wanted one and throughout my whole pregnancy I was determined I was never having another child.

Now my daughter is almost 2 1/2 and I want to repopulate the whole of Leicestershire as I think being a mum is the best thing in the world. The most satisfying and worthwhile thing ever. Its wonderful.

[cazz218]

i wanted 2 and had 2. am quite proud i managed 1 of each.....clever me!!  they are now 18 and 16 and i love them both to bits and am very proud of them.  my body has suffered a bit....flabby tum, saggy boobs etc etc but thats a small price to pay for having 2 great kids.

[goobles117]

Want 3, have none....Wanna find a nice girl who has the same thoughts as me and see how it goes from there on...

[shaz-rla]

Wanted two, then decided on three, husband changed his mind - too late by then number three came along 13 months after his sister , 2 girls and 1 boy in the space of 3 years and 2 months - very mad time for the first few years - calming down now as number 3 due to start school in September wouldn't change it for the world! apart from  the post natal depression!  - oh and did I mention I childmind too!!!