The Pros and Cons of having a Third Child

I have a 2-year-old and an 11 week old. Two children. An even number. Would I consider having a third child? What are the pros and cons of having a third child? I’m the second of four. My mum had us, three girls, before having a boy. As you can see I’m from a family of six and wouldn’t have changed it for the world. It was great fun growing up in a large family. We obviously were not The Duggars that’s crazy!

Pros and Cons of having a Third Child

But would having just one more baby enrich our lives further?

Here are the pros and cons of having a third child

Pros

  • I love babies and breastfeeding. It’s hard to think this could be the last time experiencing this.
  • They say the 3rd child just fits straight in. Apparently it’s harder going from 1 to 2 children.
  • Look at the bigger picture – Having a house full of children and going on adventures, the baby/toddler phase soon ends.
  • The kids having close bonds with their siblings and always someone to play with. Siblings often provide each other with companionship and can build lifelong bonds
  • More Siblings Mean More Love: A third child can add to the love and joy in the family.

Cons

  • We have a 3-bed house so where would the third child sleep?
  • Not possible to fit 3 car seats in my smallish car.
  • Dividing my time between three of them.
  • Argh, the newborn stage again?
  • Sleepless nights all over.
  • Outnumbered: Parents can often feel outnumbered when they have three children, especially if they are close in age, which can make it challenging to meet everyone’s needs simultaneously. I don’t have 3 arms to hold them all!
  • Could my body take a 3rd pregnancy? After my first c-section, they left me with really bad scarring, severe loss of blood, and scar tissue. Plus they made the incision really far up to get the baby girl out asap. It could be classed as medical negligence due to errors made in surgery, which prevents me from having more children.
  • Difficulty in choosing new stuff. For example, there are so many models of baby carriers on the market, so it’s really hard to choose the right carrier for the toddler.
  • Affordability – having another means I will have to give up my day job. But could we afford to drop my wage?

By going through our pros and cons we have decided 2 children is the right number for us. I hope I have explained why having a third child is a bad idea for me. But if you are wondering should I have a third baby? Well, that’s a huge conversation to have with your partner and I hope my pros and cons of having 3rd child helps you.

We are finished having children and our family is complete. I am now sorting out the 0-3-month-old baby clothes ready to sell as we won’t be needing them anymore!

FAQs

Here is a list of frequently asked questions and a roundup of the above. I get asked loads if we were to have a third child. So I hope these answers help you with your own questions on the pros and cons of third child.

What do they say about the third child?

There are various myths and superstitions about the third child. In different cultures, opinions on having a third child can vary widely. Some people believe that the third child is more laid back because the parents have become more experienced and relaxed in their parenting approach. However, this is more reflective of the parents’ gained confidence and wisdom than of the child’s inherent nature!

On the other hand, some superstitions suggest that the third child can bring either good or bad luck, but these are largely unfounded beliefs that vary by region and culture. It’s important to recognise that such superstitions are not based on scientific evidence and that every child is unique, regardless of their birth order!

How does having a third child affect family dynamics?

Having a third child can change family dynamics significantly. It can bring more joy and love into the family, but it can also require more effort in balancing attention among all children and managing a busier household.

Will we need to upgrade our living space or vehicle for a third child?

Many families find that they need more space or a larger vehicle to accommodate a third child, especially when it comes to fitting car seats and providing enough room for everyone comfortably. With the way the housing crisis is at the moment, it’s unaffordable for most to upgrade to a larger house. Lots to consider.

How might a third child impact our financial situation?

A third child will likely increase expenses, including food, clothing, healthcare, and education costs. It’s important to plan and budget for these additional costs.

Can I handle the workload of raising three children?

Raising three children can be more challenging in terms of time management and physical demands from what I gather from my friends! It’s crucial to consider your support system and whether you can balance the needs of three children along with other responsibilities.

What are the benefits of having a larger family with three children?

A larger family can provide a sense of companionship among siblings, more opportunities for learning social skills, and a lively household environment.

Are there any long-term considerations when having a third child?

Long-term considerations might include the impact on your career, retirement savings, and the ability to provide individual attention and resources for each child’s education and personal development.

How will having a third child affect my relationship with my partner?

Adding another child to the family can put additional stress on a relationship, so it’s important to communicate openly and ensure both partners are supportive of the decision and prepared for the changes it will bring.

What should we consider regarding the age gap between our second and third child?

The age gap between children can affect their relationships with each other and the ease of parenting. Smaller age gaps might mean a more intense period of childcare initially, while larger age gaps could lead to a more extended period of child-rearing but potentially easier transitions as older children become more independent.

How do I prepare my other children for the arrival of a third sibling?

Preparing your other children for a third sibling involves discussing the changes that will occur, addressing any concerns they may have, and involving them in the process to foster a positive family dynamic. It’s also helpful to reassure them of their importance in the family and the love that will be shared with the new sibling.

Just a little reminder that deciding on baby number three is a super personal choice and every family’s journey is different! It’s all about weighing up the feels, the finances, and the day-to-day stuff. Make sure you and your partner have some good heart-to-hearts about how a new little one might change your family’s groove. After all, it’s your unique adventure!

Pin for later:

Pros and Cons of having a Third Child

Here are the links to my first and second birth stories.

What do you think about having a third child?

Thanks for stopping by today.

*This is a collaborative post.

The Pros and Cons of Having a Third Child - considering a third child? Here are some tips to help you decide
The Pros and Cons of Having a Third Child - should I have a third child?, third baby, having your third child, advantages, disadvantages of a third child
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6 thoughts on “The Pros and Cons of having a Third Child

  1. There are fab pros and cons . I’ve just had my 3rd, he did just fit straight in, I had to change my car though and some days I’m so tired I could cry, there’s never enough time in a day and I do feel I’m not spending enough time time with my other 2 and teaching them things. But I do love seeing the older 2 taking to my baby and I’m sure they’ll be great friends when they’re older. I have3 under 4.

  2. The aunt of one of my friends desparately wanted a girl, and ended up with 5 boys before she finally had a baby girl. I often wonder how many boys it would have taken for her to stop, she could probably have had her own football team!

  3. It’s a very big decision. I am pleased to see that you included the question over whether you could physically manage a third pregnancy as mismanaged childbirths are not spoken about openly enough or often enough.

  4. It’s what’s best for you I had 2 Girls and was happy with that but couldn’t have anymore anyway . Mine are grown up now and I have one lovely little grandson . Enjoy your lovely girls x

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