We are so lucky to have beautiful ds, almost 3, and dd, 7 months. I think dh is quite happy with two. He himself is one of two boys. I come from a family of three.
It's such a hard decision, trying for a third. I know I'm for it more than dh, but I think he secretly would love a third if it meant we could afford to have three. At the moment it's a case of do we let our heads or our hearts rule over this one. We are only just surviving on one income at the moment and I'm not sure if having three will be fair on ds & dd in the long run. But then I say to dh that I will be working again once the kids are at school and hopefully it won't always be such a struggle.
I guess we're also thinking about how physically demanding life will be. We were both so very tired when I was pg with dd. I can't imagine coping with two lo's when pg again. However, it doesn't seem as daunting this time round as we've survived the first six months of sleepless nights and are starting to get full nights again. Have started to learn how to juggle things with two of them so surely juggling three isn't that much harder??
Sorry, starting to ramble. I guess what I'm asking is how much more of a strain financially and physically is it going from two to three? How many years down the line does it not feel such a struggle?
My mum said the first six years are the hardest, when the last finally leaves babydom and enters toddlerhood. She also said the teenage years were quite hard financially as you're paying adult prices for clothes, shoes etc. and needing the next size up each year as the kids are still growing. She would love us to have three, but she's biased as she had three! ARrgh, decisions decisions!!
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How hard is it having three?
99redballoons · 06/06/2006 11:19
My ds is only 10 months but we still can't decide to go for 3 or not. I think 2. DH thinks 3. But if I had one of each like you do now- I say if it aint broke don't fix it. I think I would stay put. Dh's cousin has 3 lo's and I think how expensive uni could be. I worked in the public sector and I saw a big difference between the families who had 2 kids and those who had 3, and what they could afford (financially and emotionally) to do. And I also found it didn't really depend on them having good jobs. I think you do live to your means, and you will always get the bills paid, but if it means certain things will have to be forfeited because of the cost, I think I would stick to 2. Sorry if this doesn't help. Hope it does though. Only you can make than decision (with a little help from Dh of course!) but I think if in you rheart you do want 3 and some one says go for 2, it will make you decide. Vise versa too. 
I loved having three, DS3 just slotted in the family and the others adored him. It helped that I had him before DS1 started school though so when on mat leave we didn't need to rush out the door, but just had to wander round to playgroup any old time (more or less!), I found the transition to 4 much harder mainly because both DS1 and 2 were at school so had to be up and ready from when DS4 was about 4 days old 
I do think a main concern is money - no more fitting in 1 hotel room, 1 cabin on a ferry stuff like that, but it wonderful watching them grow up together, and mostly play very well with each other - i'd go for it 
I love having three but it is a lot different to how I thought it would be - ds2 has grown up so quickly compared to the other two.
I agree with dinosaure on the sleep thing too. I have never been more tired as I have been in the last 11 months.
There are heaps of compromises too, especially with regards to things like holidays and restaurant tables - stuff we used to take for granted! The family dynamic more than makes up for all of this though and I wouldn't change ds2 for the world .
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I have three under five and my house is a tip. I think the chores go up massively with three children. There seems never ending ironing, tidying, meals to cook. Days out are O.K unless you want to do something remotely dangerous e.g swimming. there aren't enough adults when the children are little to make it safe.
We haven't found it a strain financially although I've given up work for the time being. I think what the kids miss out on is time with you as I'm so busy doing chores. I like to think it makes them more creative though 
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I love having 3.
DH and I both work full time and are very thrifty (+ mean lol) so money not a prob atm.
Agree re future poss further education, start saving now!
I would have four were it not for my age and other factors, so 3 can't be that bad.
I've posted this before but I love the dynamic of 3, everyone always has a playmate, and how they interract.
I have DS1, DD, DS2 btw. Lots of people will wonder with "one of each" why you want a 3rd - like the only "correct" family is a boy and a girl. This may or may not annoy you (it annoyed me lol )
I've got three.
Holidays,days out (family tickets are usually 2+2)etc are more expensive.Ummm,well actually everything is more expensive but you compromise.
Housework and tidying doesn't seem worse to me,no problem cooking one more meal.
Everything else you just kind of get used to,like going from one to two really,but more so.
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