When I was a kid, I fantasized about being a part of an enormous family. I wrote stories about families with double-digits of kids. They were all happy and got big allowances. Like, really big... $100 big. Big families and big money. I was an only child...and we were poor.
I didn't start having kids until I was 36 years old. My husband, however, had started young. He already had six by the time we met. And that was enough for him. I understood. But over time, we agreed that we wanted to have kids together. Sweet, I know :) It was going to just be one. Then just two. Then just one more. And...well.. we have four.
So here they are... my Top 10 reasons why I'm not going to have anymore kids:
Thanks so much, Stasha at Northwest Mommy, for giving us the Listicles link-up. And Jen from Just Jennifer, you were so timely in coming up with this topic. It was so good for me to reflect on these 10 reasons...I was starting to get the baby jones again :P
I didn't start having kids until I was 36 years old. My husband, however, had started young. He already had six by the time we met. And that was enough for him. I understood. But over time, we agreed that we wanted to have kids together. Sweet, I know :) It was going to just be one. Then just two. Then just one more. And...well.. we have four.
So here they are... my Top 10 reasons why I'm not going to have anymore kids:
- 10 kids was a lot to ask of my husband, and he was a real champ to go along.
- 48 is feeling pretty old. And tired.
- I'd rather not be lactating when I'm 50. While I've enjoyed breastfeeding without a break since 1999, I'm thinking I'd like to wrap up this game kind of soon.
- Trader Joe's frozen waffles come 8 to a box...that's 2 per kid. Works out perfectly.
- I'm a woman on the edge...of being maxxed out by the four I have.
- In theory, I'd love to have more...snuggling a tiny body to my chest, the sweet newborn smells, a new and different person to add to the mix. In reality, I do not want to be waking up every 90 minutes through the night AT ALL. I. Just. Don't.
- I can't handle my mom freaking out (in a bad way) again when she hears the news.
- My youngest says she wants to be the baby, and my oldest says we have the perfect amount of people in our family.
- I'd rather run a marathon.
- There's no more room in the bed.
Your reasoning is perfectly reasonable :) I like your blog a lot, what a treasure to discover.
ReplyDeleteYou could always get a bigger bed ;)
I love the picture of your kids! Way too cute! I'm 46, had my tubes tied and am not going to be having any more babies, but I still get the craving! There is something about never having a tiny little person snuggling up on me that can almost make me cry.
ReplyDeleteI think it is so cool that you always wanted a big family! I hope you all have a great holiday! Thanks for sharing your great list!!
Love this post... we are so on & off the fence right now about having another one!
ReplyDeletewow you have some CUTE kids!!!!
ReplyDeletehehe i chuckled at #4. and really, i'm exhausted at 39 with just ONE! kudos for having 4 plus 6! AWESOME!!
ReplyDeleteI love your reasons!! I would love to have 4 but I am trying to convince the hubs to have 2!!
ReplyDeleteI give you credit for the 4 you have. That's a lot to me. 2 was enough....but maybe I'm not as cool of a mom as you. I couldn't wait to get out of the baby days! Your reasons are awesome though :)
ReplyDeleteLove the picture of your kids. I'm quite comfortable with 3 kids and don't think I'm daring enough to go for a fourth.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I had a pretty serious conversation when my daughter (youngest) was about 2.5. A third child was seriously discussed, but the end I realized it wasn't the wish for another child per se that was driving me, but the mourning of the passage of my child-bearing years. He pointed out that I would likely feel the same way after another baby started walking and talking so why not quit while we were ahead (healthy, awesome boy and girl). It is sad that we won't have more (he has a vasectomy a few years later), but it was easier to get over as they got to be a little older and we could just do so many more things together as a family. I love the ages they are now (7 and 10).
ReplyDeleteAwe .. this was a cute one! I too have four kids on top of the 2 my hubsand already had when we met. Four's a good even number!
ReplyDelete10 kids! 4 out of your body WOW! you are my hero. That takes a lot of skill, patience and love. Great job and I think that's fine if you're done :) I will have one of yours if you get sick of them :)
ReplyDeleteHaaa ha, yes, OMG, can you make a list as to why 2 is enough? After all these colds and bugs lately, I'm not sure I could handle a 3rd let alone 4! You're a brave woman :)
ReplyDeleteYour comment, "I'd rather not be lactating when I'm 50." made me laugh out loud. LOVE the humor in your blog!
ReplyDeleteWell there goes my I'm-42-and -we-have-2 excuse!!!! (It really wasn't working well anyway!) I would sooooo be outvoted, so there's that! Love your list and the photo!
ReplyDeletethis was a great post...i am not married and do not have any kids of my own yet but just yesterday i was talking to my mom about how kids frighten me. haha. i was like "mom...that just sounds like a lot of work." haha. of course she responded "it is." great...something to look forward to ;) i enjoyed reading your balanced and honest 10 reasons!
ReplyDeleteAll great reasons! We buy Eggo waffles by the case at Sam's ;)
ReplyDeleteLove your picture.
Great post - love your list!
ReplyDeleteI am one of six and always dreamed of being an only child:) Looking back though - wouldn't change a thing - and now love having a house full of our own.
It's so interesting that you commented on my lovelinks selection, but you ALSO did Monday Listicles. We're bumping into each other all over the place!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'd say you're done having kids too!
*high five* for four! Great list!
ReplyDeleteHaha...no more room in the bed is a great reason! I THINK we're done with 3, but couldn't swear to it :)
ReplyDeleteSo I should probably have two more and then we can evenly divide things that come by the dozen. :)
ReplyDeleteTotally made me laugh!
How cute is your family? Love it.
ReplyDeleteI could relate to many of those reasons and even though I'm younger, I'm feeling pretty tired myself. Another kid sounds exhausting!
ReplyDeleteyour #9 is the reason I won't have any more. Oh, and I like sleep! My sister is still having babies, so I can get my fix from her! :)
ReplyDeletep.s. your husband is SUPER accomodating! Mine was sure we were done with two before I was!
I still have dreams I am going through newborn sleep dep and that is enough for me! You've more than earned the right to be finished and enjoy what you have--which is pretty darn cute, btw!
ReplyDelete1. You can always buy a bigger bed! California King or custom if needed.
ReplyDelete2. Mom's love suprises!
3. Costco has the family packs of everythign you need, including waffles!
4. You can run a marathon and push a stroller/baby jogger at the same time.
5. Your hubby is up for the job, I am sure!
6. Always try to please the little one; why would you want to deny her of a smaller sibling?
7. there is little difference at this point between having 4 and having 5.
8. 48 is the new 28
9. If your house is too small "Occupy Backyard."
10. If anyone can do it, you can!
But if you kept having kids you might be able to have your own reality tv show! The duggards are at 20, so you really would need to get started!
ReplyDeleteThat picture is adorable. Although, I have to say, Andrew Weber has some very valid points. :) Hope you have an amazing Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on convincing your husband to have four! Judging by your photo...I'd say you have a perfect amount of very cute children.
ReplyDeleteI am in awe of how positive, funny, and level headed you are with the brood you have!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the "I's SO done with this being pregnant thing!" My reason is pretty simple really. My last one was 2. No family history. Complete surprise. After trying for so long and having so much heartache to get there, they were the best Grand Finale anyone could ask for. Oh, and I feel DONE. I have NO desire to do all of that again. My sis is currently pg (she's outed herself so I'm not at risk of ding that right now by posting this) and there is no twinge of "wish it were me" or anything like that. I get to buy cute baby things and plan a shower and be excited for a birth and it's not ME who has to do all of the laboring and 9 months along trying to sleep and all of that!
ReplyDeleteLove it! After reading every ones comments, I feel"awkward" for going beyond four. ;)
ReplyDelete