42 answers

Should We Have 3?

I know it's crazy to put on a blog-- but my husband and I are concerned of what three kids might mean to our lifestyle and budget and yet we are wondering if there is another person out there we need to bring into this world. Any thoughts or reflections? L.

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I'm from a family of 3, my sister has 3 kids, pretty much everyone in my family has 3 kids. So 2 didn't quite seem like enough to me. I've always described my son (the 3rd child after 2 girls) as the seasoning in the stew - life would be a lot more bland without him. I never regret the 3rd child, but sometimes I do wish for more simplicity. My kids are now 10, 12 and 16, and in 8 short years I'll get more "simplicity" than I want. However, nobody ever told me that life actually gets more intense as the kids get older. All of the activities and all of the events can get pretty exhausting. Also, that extra plane ticket, the extra bed in a hotel, the extra food in the refrigerator, and that extra college education! It's amazing how much kids cost. I know it's hard to imagine what life will be like when they're teenagers, but it's something to consider. Good luck!

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I've gone back and forth too between three or not, and with basically the same reflection as you wrote above…Hubby only wanted two though so the pull is definitely in that direction and I am usually glad.

The truth though...only you and your partner can decide this for yourselves. No one else has to take care of these babies in your situation other than you.

It sounds to me though you are looking for someone to agree with you and tell you that two is enough......How do you really feel??

You know...come to think of it this is about the funniest thing I have read this week...re-read your "A little about me" paragraph and answer your own question. It's also okay to answer this question "for now". You can feel that two is enough now but in another year all could change and you may want one more.

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This is a completely personal choice. But you asked, so here's my take.

I have three, and I wouldn't change anything. But I think 2 is the perfect number of kids to have. Two parents, two kids. It makes it really easy for everyone to have lots and lots of one-on-one time. With three kids you have to make 6 changes for each parent to have alone time with each child, with two you only have to switch once. (Does this make sense?) So it is really hard for each parent to get quality time with each child. Also odd numbers just don't work as well. One child tends to get left out, and I would assume it is usually the oldest, because younger kids need more attention.

Three is SO much harder than two. It ups the ante from manageable to chaos. I think anything above two is some level of chaos.

Having said that, once you have a third you will think you could never have lived without your third child.

So just make a decision.

Oh yeah, and p.s. - With two each can bring a friend somewhere and with a van you can all go somewhere. With three it is almost impossible for each to bring a friend and go anywhere with the whole family. When they are teens they always want to bring a friend along.

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Hi L.,

I don't think it is crazy at all. We went from 2 to 3 and they are now 12 soon to be 13, 15 and 18. My first 2 are sons and my third a daughter. Attending functions at times can be tricky but all-in-all I did not notice a huge change in overall management. Now budget is an entirely different story our senior is going to college this fall and tuition at most privates runs just under $50,000 (this figure does not reflect offered assistance). At moments it is defintely a sacrafice and balancing act but...in the end WELL WORTH IT!
Either way, you are blessed! Savor the moments because all of the sudden you wonder how they went by so fast. My heart is with you.

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Hi, I have 3 kids and wouldn't change anything in the world about it, however, having 3 kids has posed some issues for us. There are only two of us (my husband and I) so when we go on a vacation like Disneyland, one child is always riding alone. We like to take a family vacation each year and if we go on a plane, one child sits alone (or next to a stranger) and we can never do a "package deal" vacation because you legally can't put 5 people in a hotel room. We always have to sneak one kid in to the room and hope that it doesn't include breakfast with the stay because they only allow 4 people to eat. With regards to sports, we are torn because again there are only two of us and they all play sports so we are having to either send one with a teammate and go with the other two and we rarely are able to see all their games on the same day. The costs, of course, are more with 3 kids and I'm sure it's just the beginning since we haven't hit high school or college yet. Honestly, there are probably pros and cons but I have three kids and love them all dearly so I can't imagine life without any of them. Just thought I'd pass on the things that we've experienced so far.

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When I was miserably pregnant with my first, I swore I'd never get pregnant again. But I did -- and I was jsut as sick as the first one.

As I was struggling through my second one's colicky infancy, I swore I'd never ever get pregnant again and never ever have another infant to deal with.

So the third time we adopted: no pregnancy, no infancy, straight to toddlerhood.

People ask us all the time why we did "take out" the third time instead of "making one from scratch." The answer is very simple: when we considered our family, we realized someone was missing. When we thought more about it, we realized that it was a question of finding that missing person -- not making it/him/her.

So in our adoption quest, we weathered each delay, confident that it was just a way to help us find our one true child rather than just any child.

If you and your husband are both feeling like you are missing someone, bring that someone home. "From scratch" or by "take-out", bring your baby home.

2 moms found this helpful

I have 3. Three kids changes everything. The size of your house as they grow (especially if one is the opposite gender), the size of your car, the fact that you have two hands to grasp two little hands with, not three, you are now a family of 5 which makes a huge impact on other people when you visit and, as they grow, rarely will all 3 be having fun with their friends or sleepovers with grandma at the same time so there will never be natural breaks for you built in. I could go on and on but certainly 2 is EASIER than 3.

Having said all of that. I wouldn't change the number of kids I have. Three is perfect if you ask me. There is so much love and opportunity and diversity amongst this family. We have a "large family" without really having a large family.

It is such an individual choice but I vote for 3!! It's amazing!

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I've been a nanny/surrogate mother for 9 years now for 3 kids (now 14,12,and 8.) The major thing I notice is the difference between having 2 kids in the house vs 3. You basically go from having just enough time to never enough/ total chaos. Plus even if you and your husband are home at the same time, having 3 means you are out numbered. Honestly, if you have 3 kids (in my experience) you might as well have 10, because it feels the same. If you are willing to put up with having little to NO personal time for another 3 years (until your youngest goes to preschool,) then go for it.
That being said - I love kids (they keep me young) and wouldn't trade any off them - the kids I work w/ or my daughter.

1 mom found this helpful

I'm from a family of 3, my sister has 3 kids, pretty much everyone in my family has 3 kids. So 2 didn't quite seem like enough to me. I've always described my son (the 3rd child after 2 girls) as the seasoning in the stew - life would be a lot more bland without him. I never regret the 3rd child, but sometimes I do wish for more simplicity. My kids are now 10, 12 and 16, and in 8 short years I'll get more "simplicity" than I want. However, nobody ever told me that life actually gets more intense as the kids get older. All of the activities and all of the events can get pretty exhausting. Also, that extra plane ticket, the extra bed in a hotel, the extra food in the refrigerator, and that extra college education! It's amazing how much kids cost. I know it's hard to imagine what life will be like when they're teenagers, but it's something to consider. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

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