How many children did you have and was it on purpose ?

Two both planned. We were never going to have more than that, couldn't afford to. Miscarried in between having 2 boys. I've often thought that if the baby we lost had been born I would never have known my 2nd son....who was, and is, an absolute joy to me. [Ist son is too of course!]

I only wanted boys, so not having a daughter didn't bother me at all. I've been very lucky, they've been the best. Now 52 and 49.

Two, both very much wanted. Our first baby died of heart problems. Then I had a miscarriage a few months later. We were heartbroken and waited almost 6 years to try again, when we had a lovely daughter, now aged 38.

One, planned, and enough blessings from him that we never needed any more.

We had four. ..... but we did stop when we found out what was causing it

5 DSs and 1 SS . Wasn't planned and has been tough at times but was lovely when they were all little we had such fun . Now they are grown not so much . Not sure if that's because it's a large family? They are very close to each other though which is lovely to see .

My mother had heart issues and was advised to stop at one which she did. I had a very loving happy childhood which I shared closely with extended family cousins.

DD1 was a happy mistake as I returned home from our honeymoon pregnant. DD2 arrived as planned 2yrs 4 months later. Both very different characters, DD1 a homebody happy with our two adorable GDs, DD2, the bolter, who travelled the world and is now in Australia with our lovely SiL, the son we never had and decided not to have children being more career minded. Both girls happy and healthy which is all I could wish for. We are a very close family, constantly in touch.
DH was seriously ill last summer, thankfully now recovered, DD2 and SiL arrived immediately to join forces with DD1 and GDs with loving support for us. Couldn’t ask for more.

It is so sad to read of those on here who had such a dreadful childhood, something they didn’t deserve and so heartbreaking to read. 💐
You are the only one I ‘know’ well on GN Charley and are a lovely friend to me. Despite your early unhappy start in life you are such a caring, supportive lovely woman.

I have a daughter and a son. Both wonderful people. A third was planned, but it never happened.

Four - one of whom was planned - all four very very much loved

3, 2 boys and 1 girl - in the middle. All planned.

One. Curiosity satisfied. No need for more.

Big big hugs to all the posters on this thread ! I too had three miscarriages, never easy.

For those who chose not to have have children due to terrible childhoods

To everyone, whatever you chose to do I hope you’re all settled, happy and content now

Two; both by IVF, so very much planned!

Sorry should have said that our two daughters were planned but our son - born 11 years later - was a 'if it happens it happens' and it happened! But it was lovely to have a son after our two delightful daughters and he was definitely meant to be!

Two girls, both pregnancies planned, both girls a joy. At one stage we were tempted to go for another pregnancy in the hope of a boy but came to our senses when we realised we could be building a netball team before we got a boy.... and money was tight for us in the early years of marriage.

Two daughters nearly 8 years apart. Their brother was in the middle but he died when he was nearly 5, which nearly killed me! I was desperate to have another child , not to replace him ( that would have been impossible) but felt it would have been the only thing that might have made me feel slightly less despairing.

Unfortunately I had a very bad pregnancy with our third child ( she was 8 months old when my sons illness was diagnosed) and her dad had opted for a vasectomy as the birth put me off a fourth I had original planned. He wouldn’t consider a reversal. They were all planned and I was lucky enough they were all born more or less exactly when I wanted them.

Mine were all planned. The last one was by ICSI as I was still desperate for one more.

Because of the way I was brought up, I did not want any children. I was terrified at home and frightened at school. I enjoy other children but I do not have any responsibility for them. I have never regretted it

This is exactly how I felt. I never wanted children and was never suckered into that whole mawkishly sentimantal "mother love" thing. I have never been interested in "family life" and could see no purpose which children could serve in my life other than to drag me down physically and financially.

Four pregnancies all unplanned! Lost the first and third from condition that I cannot carry female foetuses to term . Other two boysa? Perfect and big babies normal pregnancies. I'd have loved maybe 3 or 4 ! No chance.when I thought I was preggers again my rotten ex said "get rid of it or I go" stunned and devastated I had tubal ligation at 32 scared he'd leave me if I did. I ended up ditching him 11years later. Still wish I'd had more kids specially daughters as one of sons is a total washout other one too busy to bother and I've no confidantes!

Four all planned

biglouis

*Because of the way I was brought up, I did not want any children. I was terrified at home and frightened at school. I enjoy other children but I do not have any responsibility for them. I have never regretted it*

This is exactly how I felt. I never wanted children and was never suckered into that whole mawkishly sentimantal "mother love" thing. I have never been interested in "family life" and could see no purpose which children could serve in my life other than to drag me down physically and financially.

Much as I adore my sons, I do wonder if I could do without the heartbreak, devastation of being denied my GKs for years and being disowned for what? Exactly?! Dunno! And the £10thousands spent on one at least without a nod.? Then I think , yep I could've well done without all that utter heartbreak and given my attention to friends' youngsters without obligation or upset when they drop me like a hot poo!

One (adopted) son and that was definitely neither what I dreamed of.

I dreamed of at least four children, and would have worked hard to support them if a large family had been possible.

In the 1970s and 80s when this was on the cards, we would have been well able to have four or six children financially speaking.

I imagine it is harder today.

I had 4, first 2 close together then a gap of 6 years, then another 7 years after that. All wanted and planned.

For all who have lost children.

I have 2 a girl and a boy, both planned. I feel very blessed as I was aged 38 and 40. I spent 16 years avoiding having a baby with someone else who didn't want children. Both my parents were only children. Not sure how my grandparents managed that? I am the eldest of 2.

ExperiencedNotOld

Two, purposely, close enough to be friends. They are still, in their late 20s.

Same here