7. Spouses May Not Be In Agreement
It can be a sensitive topic if one spouse wants additional children but the other doesn’t. Many couples rest in the limbo of waiting to come to an agreement and in the meantime live as a family of three. Neither spouse wants to be guilted into the decision to have more kids, or live with resentment about “giving in.”
8. Loss Of A Child
A casual question about having more children can push a button for a family who had more than one child at a time but lost one tragically. Those parents didn’t intend to have just one child but they do now. They may also be afraid to have additional children for fear of a similar tragedy. Anyone who has lost a loved one can attest to how horrible it is, and it’s reason enough to take an introspective look and be grateful for all that you still have.
9. Having More Children Doesn’t Guarantee A “Better” Family
People often say that your kids will gain a lifelong friend through having siblings, and that you’ll be guaranteed happy holiday gatherings as your large family convenes. But the last time I checked, no one can tell the future and you have no idea what may happen over the years. Not all siblings are best friends and we all know we don’t always get along with our parents. Sisters can be polar opposites like my sister and I, one being a tomboy and the other content to play with Barbie’s until sixth grade. Brothers can be so far apart in age they barely live together before one moves out. You can have just as rich of a family life with 1 child as you can with 10. You also won’t be a better mom because you have 5 children then if you have an only!