View Full Version : Number of children
Weird post but I thought I would ask anyways.
My wife is wanting to have another child. Currently we have two amazing boys ages 3 and 19 months. She recently told me that she wants another child so I told her that I would give it some thought.
My question for you guys that have 3 kids is, if you had to do it over again would you have stuck with two or would you have had the third?
Rooskibar03
10-09-2014, 22:11
She's hoping that 3rd one is a little girl. I know several couples who went that route and ended up with another boy.
We Have just one (now 10) and it waand until 2/3 years ago I wish we'd had another. Now I kick myself and wish she had a brother or sister to grow up with. I feel like I cheated her in a way.
We would both be totally ok with another boy. To be honest I would rather have it that way.
beast556
10-09-2014, 22:22
I have 3 kids there 5,7,9 years old. Going from 2 to 3 is LOTS more work. Better get ready for the mini van unless you have the $$$ for a Tahoe or suburban. Having all three sitting next to each other even for the shortest ride will test your sanity.
I feel the same that our daughter is over five before we had another baby. We would have been well on the way to our second except for some bad stuff earlier this year. We're thinking next year hopefully.
I have 3 kids there 5,7,9 years old. Going from 2 to 3 is LOTS more work. Better get ready for the mini van unless you have the $$$ for a Tahoe or suburban. Having all three sitting next to each other even for the shortest ride will test your sanity.
How were they when they were 1,3,5?
mackbamf
10-09-2014, 22:53
For me going from one to two kids was a much bigger jump. It didn't feel like the work doubled with the second but more like it tripled. I was worried how much things would change by adding a third but it was a pretty smooth transition. Maybe at that point I was already just numb to it all...
beast556
10-09-2014, 22:59
How were they when they were 1,3,5?
My oldest is autistic so my situation would be very different from yours. Its hard to explain, I figured it would be no big deal from 2 to 3.In some aspects thing are easier because its your third time around and other stuff is a lot more difficult.
Going from 2 to 3 is LOTS more work. Better get ready for the mini van unless you have the $$$ for a Tahoe or suburban. Having all three sitting next to each other even for the shortest ride will test your sanity.
What he said. Mine are close enough that I had to run three car seats. Tough even in a full size truck. You can make it work. Now figure out college for three, we'll see.
3 girls, all spaced apart by about 3 1/2 years. I wish we would have had one more, but that thought didn't really hit us until a year or two after I had a vasectomy.
I have two in college and one is a freshman in high school. I would say go three for sure, fun watching them grow up together and bonding. It was nice seeing my two eldest daughter come home from college to help my youngest get ready for her first high school dance.
As far as transportation goes, we have had a Dodge Durango's ever since they have come out. We could never get ourselves to pull the trigger on a minivan, just couldn't do it.
Singlestack
10-10-2014, 06:44
She's hoping that 3rd one is a little girl. I know several couples who went that route and ended up with another boy.
We Have just one (now 10) and it waand until 2/3 years ago I wish we'd had another. Now I kick myself and wish she had a brother or sister to grow up with. I feel like I cheated her in a way.
Kind of our story. Had 2 boys, tried for 3rd and lost the baby (was a girl), tried again and had a 3rd boy. Really glad we had 3 - younger 2 graduated from CU and UNC this spring and they are all best friends. In retrospect, I think we should have adopted a girl for my wife - it would have meant a lot to her.
Children are evil, annoying creatures. I say the fewer you have the better.
Thanks for the input gents (Ray you're not included, lol).
I was kidding. Sort of. The wife and I have two. A boy and a girl. Nice to have one of each. Two was plenty for us. They are 26 and 22 now. The teenage years are the worst. They are both lucky to still be alive.
3 here and I cheated my wife out of more (snip). I thought at the time I was doing the right thing, but have learned over time, mostly because I am incredibly dense and a bit on the slow side of the thinking curve, that our family should have been bigger. Maybe five or six would have been good, but deciding the number on my own was wrong and I will forever be sorry for that piece of arrogance.
I hope you and your wife continue to discuss the issue and that you will be open to loving all of your children, no matter how many you have. God Bless you and your family.
Be safe.
If you have a third, you should go ahead and have four. That way two can play with each other at all times. With three, one is always on the outs.
We were fortunate to have ours when we were young, got to grow up with them. Now they are older than us, so...
PugnacAutMortem
10-10-2014, 08:43
two or three wont be enough.
Enough for what? The revolution? To build Noah's Ark 2.0? To form a family band and tour the countryside?
And by the way, I call absolute undeniable bullshit on this...two is plenty. I enjoy things like sanity and knowing that by the time I'm 45 I will have an empty nest. To each their own obviously though.
None here, and I plan on never having any, but I wish you the best of luck either way!
Enough for what? The revolution? To build Noah's Ark 2.0? To form a family band and tour the countryside?
And by the way, I call absolute undeniable bullshit on this...two is plenty. I enjoy things like sanity and knowing that by the time I'm 45 I will have an empty nest. To each their own obviously though.
You obviously don't know about his fully staffed molle gear sweatshop...just calm your tits, missy.
PugnacAutMortem
10-10-2014, 09:10
well good for you. Im sure with your extensive knowledge of all things, you are the expert on this and any other subject, so I will bow out.
I'm glad you see it my way [LOL]
No kids yet but we are wanting 2. It doesnt let the kids outnumber us and keeps options open for A LOT. 2 kids means I dont need a minivan or suburban, 3 bedroom house is still fine, etc.
Zundfolge
10-10-2014, 09:33
Well my wife and I can't have children so if more of y'all would have 3+ kids to help offset us not "pulling our weight for the species" that would be much appreciated :D
newracer
10-10-2014, 09:34
We have two. We would have had more but the two pretty much take up all our time as it is.
BlasterBob
10-10-2014, 10:04
Three kids for us. Current ages, daughter 50 (married with three kids), another daughter 47 (single, never married) and a son 42 (married with two kids). Absolutely no regrets with our three "kids". None of the three have ever caused us any problems or regrets. Three was the perfect number for us. Of course raising kids back in our era, I believe was probably much easier than it is now. The wife and I are both the second
oldest of families with five kids and in a few months will celebrate our 54th anniversary so I guess we can claim to be pretty compatible.[blaster]
brokenscout
10-10-2014, 10:16
Ages 3,5,7,13 & 17. I'd say with 2 no problem with 3rd. Good luck, I should have got a vasectomy when I was 18 :) .
hollohas
10-10-2014, 10:35
I'm in a similar situation. 2 girls (5 years and 8 months). My 5 yo is a huge helper and loving big sister. We spread them out that far on purpose. Wife wants one more, I told her that's a gamble because we could get 3 girls and that is a lot of girl hormones in one house. And will create a lot of teenage boys to scare away. But my first two are far enough apart that they won't be in high school at the same time so that will help. The two I have are awesome and another would be great, boy or girl.
Wife drives a newer Explorer and the 3rd row seating is big enough even for an average sized adult. With plenty of storage room to spare behind the seats for all the kid "gear".
If we had one more now, they'd all be out of the house before we're 50 (God willing). Plenty of time to live it up after the nest is empty. And I will still be young enough to fight off teenage boys.
However, I do have some friends that said "just one more" then got twins...
no experience with 2, married in to 3, and I would not trade it for anything.
mtnrider
10-10-2014, 11:17
I've got 3 kids, 2 boys and 1girl. 3,4, and 6
HUGE difference going from 2>3 in my opinion. The wife and I both work so it may be easier for those that have a "stay at home" but 3 really changes things a lot vs. 2. We were going to stop at 2 but I was a day late on getting snipped.
HoneyBadger
10-10-2014, 12:52
HB Jr is 19 months old now (It's going by so fast!!) and we're starting to talk about baby #2, but things are on hold for a few months due to some potential changes from my job. Mrs. HB married me knowing that I want at least 3 kids. We'll see where life and God take us. [Coffee]
3 here and I cheated my wife out of more (snip). I thought at the time I was doing the right thing, but have learned over time, mostly because I am incredibly dense and a bit on the slow side of the thinking curve, that our family should have been bigger. Maybe five or six would have been good, but deciding the number on my own was wrong and I will forever be sorry for that piece of arrogance.
I hope you and your wife continue to discuss the issue and that you will be open to loving all of your children, no matter how many you have. God Bless you and your family.
Be safe.
This is a fantastic response. I think I've said this before (recently) but your wisdom is overwhelming cstone! [Awesom]
Enough for what? The revolution? To build Noah's Ark 2.0? To form a family band and tour the countryside?
And by the way, I call absolute undeniable bullshit on this...two is plenty. I enjoy things like sanity and knowing that by the time I'm 45 I will have an empty nest. To each their own obviously though.
Wow. I'm sorry you feel that way.
Big zero for me, though my wife has 2 sons that are 19 and 17 that will hopefully be gone soon if we don't end up killing them, especially the oldest. [dig]
Three kids for us. Current ages, daughter 50 (married with three kids), another daughter 47 (single, never married) and a son 42 (married with two kids). Absolutely no regrets with our three "kids". None of the three have ever caused us any problems or regrets. Three was the perfect number for us. Of course raising kids back in our era, I believe was probably much easier than it is now. The wife and I are both the second
oldest of families with five kids and in a few months will celebrate our 54th anniversary so I guess we can claim to be pretty compatible.[blaster]
Advanced Congratulations! Nothing like receiving blessings to know how truly blessed you are.
May you and the Mrs. have many, many, many, more happy years together.
PS Thank you HoneyBadger. I am brilliant on the Internet, but in real life I'm a total A..hole [Rant1]
BlasterBob
10-10-2014, 15:15
Advanced Congratulations! Nothing like receiving blessings to know how truly blessed you are.
May you and the Mrs. have many, many, many, more happy years together.
PS Thank you HoneyBadger. I am brilliant on the Internet, but in real life I'm a total A..hole [Rant1]
Many thanks Chuck and I seriously doubt if ANYONE will call you an A..hole.
Snowman78
10-10-2014, 15:58
I have 3 kids there 5,7,9 years old. Going from 2 to 3 is LOTS more work. Better get ready for the mini van unless you have the $$$ for a Tahoe or suburban. Having all three sitting next to each other even for the shortest ride will test your sanity.
+ 1 we also have 3 and it is a lot more work.
Snowman78
10-10-2014, 16:06
We have them spaced out a lot 4, 11 & 14. The oldest and youngest are girls so I have a teenage and toddler at the same time......
We have them spaced out a lot 4, 11 & 14. The oldest and youngest are girls so I have a teenage and toddler at the same time......
Almost exactly like our experience is going to be. We currently have a girl (10), boy (8) and a boy coming on 11/14. How has the age difference been and any advice on dealing with it?
The two older kids are so excided about their baby brother and are both very sweet.
Great-Kazoo
10-10-2014, 17:40
We had 1. Anytime she bitched about being an only child, we dropped her off at the clowns. Give her 30 min ~ in their playland cured any more blasphemy.
I'm from a LARGE family. Who were from LARGE family's. If it works for you more power. Even though HBar is close to a large prime number children wise. I know folks whe were from 12-14+ brothers & sisters. Guess some folks in the northlands would have been better off buying a snowmobile.
Almost exactly like our experience is going to be. We currently have a girl (10), boy (8) and a boy coming on 11/14. How has the age difference been and any advice on dealing with it?
The two older kids are so excided about their baby brother and are both very sweet.
Congratulations on the expected! I hope the pregnancy is going well and pray that mother and baby will be strong and healthy.
Snowman78
10-10-2014, 20:03
Almost exactly like our experience is going to be. We currently have a girl (10), boy (8) and a boy coming on 11/14. How has the age difference been and any advice on dealing with it?
The two older kids are so excided about their baby brother and are both very sweet.
No
real advice, the older one can watch the younger ones! It's is weird going to
high school and pre-school in the same day, but I like it!
Holger Danske
10-10-2014, 20:11
two or less kids and you can do man to man or zone coverage. Three or more and you throw out half your playbook. Ive got 3 jr operators all boys. The best money we spent was on a suburban with 2nd row captians chairs and a tv; no more slapfests.
joeyshoe
10-10-2014, 21:46
I didn't read the all the posts....but I have 5 kids. girl, boy, boy boy, girl. 8,5,4,2, and 6 months. I'm pretty sure we are done at this point. It's been an interesting ride. The oldest is so helpful which alleviates some of the work. It doesn't really seem like we have 5 kids except when everyone stares at us everywhere we go. We don't have any family near and all our friends have kids of their own so we pretty much just hang out as a family all day everyday. The wife and I usually only have one date night per year and it's been over 8 years since we had 24 hours by ourselves. I guess I mention all this because having more kids is harder in some ways; but for me, the benefits out-weigh the costs.
Psalm 127:3-5English Standard Version (ESV)3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children[a (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+127%3A3-5&version=ESV#fen-ESV-16126a)] of one's youth.
5 Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.[b (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+127%3A3-5&version=ESV#fen-ESV-16127b)]
Make as many gun loving, conservative kids you can make. [Coffee]
Without a doubtif you are blessed enough to have a third you wont regret it. I can't imagine my life without my 3 boys. As a widowed, working father, I am out numbered but it is worth every aggravated moment! We had a single first then had twins, so the dynamics between them is fun , rewarding and amazing to witness and be a part of.
I say go for it, you will be rewarded ten fold.
Why are you using gender neutral terms?? Call them boys and girls, and nothing but!
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