2 or 3

[sushee]

Dach,

I have always said that the jump from 2 children to 3 children was the biggest culture shock for me. It was a big adjustment, and the logistics of it was something I wasn't prepared for, and I think Lucy covered those quite nicely. Two parents for 2 children just works, and then number 3 comes long and it's like everyone has to learn new rules to the same game. It was probably the most difficult of transitions. That's my own feeling on it.

From DS2's POV, I do think he was the odd one out, to be honest, and as he was 2 and a 1/2 years younger than DS1 and the two older kids were only 19 months apart, they very much left him out for most of his life.

In the long run that hasn't turned out to be a bad thing as now that DS2's 13, he's independant, has his own mind, is not a follower and is an all round good boy, but I do think the exclusion he felt in his childhood, while strengthening his character, was probably something I wouldn't wish on anyone, and it broke my heart on many occasions. Of course this doesn't happen in every family, though.

But I do understand worrying about your biological clock if you're wanting 4. It's not an easy decision and I reckon I probably didn't help one bit but thought I'd give you some perspective to chew on.