Families with 4 or more kids - How did you decide how many to have?

[Feijoa Mum]

For us we thought we were done after 3 kids. I still had the "need" for a girl but was quite happy with my boys. However when the youngest started Prep, I started getting clucky big time and DH agreed we could have "just one more"
4 was a big family and boy or girl this was the last. However he was born and that "girl need" kicked in again and I asked DH if we could try again. Given there was 6 years between number 3 and 4 and I felt S needed a playmate of his own as his brothers were all so much older than him. Plus I really wanted to try and sway for my girl.
If he said really didnt want anymore and was truely against it I would put it out of my head (yeah right ) and get on with being a Mum to four sons. Luckily he said yes though and even luckily still we were blessed with Lady.

For me its not about the space or the finances as to me you work with what you have/havent got.
For me my biggest thing is time, or lack there of.
Whether it be individual time for each kid, Mummy and Daddy time or that illusive time for myself. I always seem to have time for bloody housework or trying to juggle the bills though

I never set out to have five children and if was talking to my 16yr old self now telling her that I would be a mother of 5 one day I can imagine her face but I wouldnt change it for the world and given the choice I would do it again in a heartbeat but for me I am now done. I feel complete.

[KimB]

I have 6 children now and if you'd told me that I would be a mum to that many then you would have gotten a good slapping lol. I had 3 after my ex and didn't want any more. I then met DF and he didn't have any children (see where I'm going with this lol) It took a few years to talk me into having any more but then DD2 came along and she had to have a playmate so we had DD3 I then felt like I wasn't done so talked to DF and he agreed pretty quickly and DD4 came. We have a 4 bedroom house but could quite easily live in a 3. My 2 DS's share a room and my 2 younger DD's share a room and then the baby is in with us. My older DD has moved out (whole thread in it self lol) but then we would have needed the 4th bedroom. We are a one income family so we sometimes do it hard but we have lots of love and many op shop clothes

I find that time is the biggest factor. By the time I get done with the baby, the other 2 girls need me and my poor boys come a sad last. There is no such time as me time (typing this with the baby on my knees) never mind partner time (sorry DF) but he wouldn't change anything about his family.

If you can work around the obstacles and you still want another baby then go for it.