when do you know when you are done having children?

I think you just 'know'. I think it's a little of the emotional aspect, and a bit of the birthing aspect. Sometimes I think finances come into play, but oddly enough, I don't think those have any bearing on the choice of whether or not you feel you should have another child.

I think it's a little bit of everything. The money of course is a big issue; baby stuff is expensive - the diapers, the formula etc. Not really the pain of labour - I've been lucky and all my labours have been pretty fast and not to bad - but the whole being pregnant part throws me. The "joy of pregnancy" totally passes me by. I'm fat, sick and tired for 9 months.. not my idea of a good time. I don't think it's the emotional part or rather a case of not enough love. I've got more than enough of that to go around. But the two that I have a home now are a handful and it's stressful being a mom (but oh so worth it) My kids are now both in school full time and I feel like I have the days to myself.. I can start a real life again besides being mom. I don't know that I could start over again.

I am not sure either but I believe it is a feeling we get that we are content with how things are in life . I have five right now and feel content with how many I have but worry what will happen when my baby starts school , I had the option taken from me for eight and a half years when I was told I would never have another baby ( as I kept miscarring ) , it was the hardest time in my life and don't really ever feel that I will be comfortable enough to take the option from myself .

I thought that I was done at 2 children, but alas, I wasn't. I had my third child when my second child was 14 months old. That was enough for me. It was difficult to have a 7 year old, a 14 month old and a newborn! Never again, so I had my tubes tied soon after my youngest was born. It was a finacial decision yes. It was also a sanity issue. I think that 4 children could quite possibly push me right over the edge. At times I do wish that I had a girl, as I have 3 boys, but that passes very quickly!

I think it depends on the individual. I had my third child when I was 31, and decided before I had given birth to him I was having my tubes tied. It was partially a financial decision, but I've always said if you wait til you're financially ready you'll never have kids. LOL For my hubby and I it was the thought of trying to pay for college when we're supposed to be getting ready to retire. My sis and I were out of the house by the time my parents were in their mid 40's, and they are loving every minute of their time together and enjoying their grandkids. My inlaws had their last one when she was 40 and he was almost 50. I'm sure they don't regret having her at all, but things aren't t he way they thought they would be at their age. (She's gonna be 11 this year.) It's also kind of hard to explain that your daughter is younger than your oldest grandchild. LOL

One thing is for sure if we wait till we can afford children, most of us reading this would have never had any. Two things stand out at me. Please don't get pregnant unless you're 100% sure you want a baby. Growing up not being wanted by mom is hell take my word for that. The only other thing I want to say is take a good look at your age. When baby is 15 years old how old will you be ? You really need to raise these kids young because you take a look at not just me but how many other people are out there that has had a heart attack by the age of 51. There seems to be more health issues these days and you want to grow with your kids and be able to take them swimming, camping, maybe to hockey games or whatever you put your kids into. I'm not saying money isn't a factor it is and always remember it's not the price of food, there'll always be something to eat, but there's things like dentist bills, schooling, sports, clothing and of course the unexpected. When you do have children cherish them and hold them dear, they grow up very fast. I only had one daughter but I love her so much !!!Good Luck Dear Grandmaof2

For me, the moment I found out that I was pregnant with twins, I was sure that I didn't want to have anymore children. My older children were 4 1/2 and 3 when the twins were born. When they start coming in 2's, that is where I draw the line.

I thought I didn't want anymore after my 1st one. But I had another child, and now I can say that I feel I have had enough. It is not just about financial stuff but sometimes just that I don't want to get to a point where I don't feel I can give all of my children the same amount of attention.

I love children and I could have 100, but right now I have 4 and it is all I can do to keep up with all their activities, feeding, clothing, and all of that stuff. It is so expensive these days to have children that money was the reason I stopped having them. I wanted a girl so bad but after my 4th boy I stopped trying. Don't get me wrong, I am not a materialistic person, I don't believe in buying everything for your children. I am just thinking realistically. I didn't have room for anymore and I surelly couldn't afford to buy another house. You have to know what your turning point is. What will it take for you to not want anymore babies. Now that I have come to terms with my decision, when I see another little girl baby, I love to play with it and cuddle it but don't fret when I have to return it to its parents.

well when they become smart n intelligent

I really dont know. I thought for sure I would be done after my 2nd child. But then I wanted another one so we had #3. My son is 7 my daughter will turn 3 in March and my other daughter will turn 1 in March. And now I am wanting another baby soooo bad. But I want another one soon. Before my baby gets to much older. I love having them close in age. But I think my husband will think I am nuts. Then of course can we financially afford it? If we did have another baby we would really be cramped into our house. We would have to get a new car. Our car we have now is paid off so that means we will have another car payment. Urgg I dont know. All I do know is if my husband wanted another child he wouldnt have to twist my arm to hard lol.

I may have a different view. We do not practice birth control at all, in any form. So for me it would be when I reach the end of my reproductive years. My husband and I feel that we will only have the number of kids God wants us to have, no more, no less. And I would like to have more, but right now I don't think I am going to have more because I am getting older. I do feel like someone needs to be married or at least in a stable relationship before they start having kids. I only have five children and somedays that seems like a lot and some days it only seems like a few. I do love my kids a lot. And I miss the baby years, all of mine are way past the baby stages.

You really would probally just "Know" when your done... Being a guy I can't really know much where you're coming from, but its probally a little bit of all. Just think it through for quite a while, and maybe try asking some people you value the advice of.

I honestly don't know.. I never look at the financial aspect,pain of childbirth etc,etc.. I have 2 now and know I want more, i'm just hoping that when I get to that magic number (whatever it is) i'll know that "this is it"

well. thats good if you know. i just know that im done. i want to have a career and i cannot sit around with kids all day it drives me crazy. im having our second one in a couple months then im getting my tubes tied. i feel sooooo ready. i just know i am done. i feel good about two kids and i feel that if i change my mind somewhere down the road i will adopt because there are enough children without homes that need to be loved and it would be selfish for me to give birth to more babies in this world ...

I think the fact that I had two kids very close together, and the fact that my youngest was very difficult as an infant, my husband and I were both very much in agreement that we were done having kids. :)

Your statement" you have no enough room for child in your heart", is very painful. Please don't even ever think like this. All parents love children and they will welcome as much as possible, but it is a great responsibility. If you are bringing children in this world then you have to give them if not very good, at least average life.It mostly depends on financial position of people. It is only for good or children , that parents decide to have just one or two children, as they feel, thier financial capacity is just enough for one or two. But I would suggest everyone to have at least 2 children. One child is very lonely. Though parent are with him/her, but it makes a great difference when there is two child of same age in the family. Growing in same company is much happier than growing with parents. As for you, you should definately have another child. At least one more. It will bring lot of happiness for you and your husband as well as for your little daughter. Best of luck.

I think you will know when the time comes and it will be an easy decission. I have no kids yet, and i do not know the answer to this question, but i think there is a time for everything and like i said, the time will come.

For years I said I stop at age 35 or 3 children which ever came first. My oldest will be 16 this month. My middle child is 13 and then my son .... my son is 2 1/2 and special needs. He makes me want another baby so bad it hurts. What stops me? Honestly we can't afford to have another one. Well we could but it would be tight and I would like to own a house before I am 50! Am I truly done? Don't know - neither of us have gone for a 'snip' so I guess in addtion to our being careful it is up to God.

al 100 years