Contemplating a third baby

Why-oh-why is it so tricky to even consider having a third baby? Why does it involve so much thought, indecision and worry?

 

The situation just isn't black and white and it can take months to make a final decision. Thousands of couples find themselves in this dilemma. For a lot of us, with your first and second baby, they are usually planned. You want one baby and then you want a brother or sister for them. But the third?

 

The third appears to be a sheer luxury or a 'Life changer'. I often hear parents saying things like:

And on and on....

 

Yet, there is always that question: “Are my baby days over?” Am I ready to sell my car seat and take my Moses basket down from the attic? It's that niggling question when you reach your late thirties with two children and think: “Will I ever hold a newborn or feel a baby kick in my tummy again?”

 

The questions, doubts, worries, fear and panic float through my mind a lot. I look at my two smallies and think of how another baby would really enrich their lives and how they would adore another sibling. I look at myself and Richie’s life and see how much we love being parents.

 

I have two beautiful healthy, happy children. They have reached that easy ages of five and nearly-three where life is definitely getting easier. I apologise less in the supermarket, we can have dessert when we're in restaurants, they both fit comfortably in my car and I get at least eight hours kip every night.

 

But somewhere deep, deep, deep in my heart, there is a yearning to make another Jack or Holly. I may be a broody kind of person but I can’t help it. I have always adored babies and children and always will. I think of the joys I would experience again; carrying and then holding a newborn, feeding, weaning, cuddling, smelling… I could go on forever.

 

And yet it's kind of scary to even think like that because what if these people are right and it is life-changing and it is really hard? Are they exaggerating or just being totally honest? Or do I just take this next step in my stride like I've always done and trust in myself; trust that like before, I will manage and love every single minute?

 

I have a great job with good hours, a wonderful husband who I absolutely adore and two of the nicest children in the world (mother’s pride!). I love being a mum more than anything else in the world, so wouldn’t it make sense to add another? What to do, what to do?

 

I know I'm not alone. Even as I write, I know that there are millions of mums questioning whether to have that third baby or not. We are all in the exact same boat regardless of age, wealth, job, house space and whatever else; we all having the same concerns, questions and longings. Can we cope? Can we go back to getting no sleep? Can we go back to maternity clothes? I have often had this chat with some of my pals and they are the exact same as me.

 

On this one though, I’m going to follow my heart - and I'll bet you can guess my decision!