Fi, you have put it so well. Your point about the puppies and your mother is what I have been thinking about. It is almost like having children because you are not happy in yourself. I'm NOT saying anyone here is like that!!! But I have known a couple of people that I think may have done this. And because of this I am probably over-psychoanalysing my own motives for more children!

This has been a very interesting topic - thanks, mbear, for starting it off!

On the subject of mothers - my mother said that she never should have had children. Probably not the best thing to say to your daughter. But we won't go there!! I love my mum dearly but I can see that she is not the overly maternal type.

Julie