What is the perfect number of kids? Fifty years ago, it wasn't uncommon to see families with five, six, or even a dozen kids. Families have shrunk in the decades since the baby boom, and when parents are deciding how many children to have, they have a lot to consider. Life is more expensive because of inflation and advances in technology, but are the days of more than one or two kids per family over?
Rob Labonne asked X whether he and his wife should add a third child to their family. The majority spoke, and their answer wasn't really what he expected.
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LaBonne is considering a third baby.
His message reads, "Parents of Twitter…stop at 2 kids or go for 3? We have 2 beautiful heathy kids now. I'm told statistically parents with 2 are happier than those with 3 but I feel like when I'm 60 I'd be glad I had a 3rd. Could be swayed either way."
The dad already loves his family and thinks that a third child might make him even happier but wanted to see what others had to say.
X users had strong opinions.
Many people encouraged LaBonne to have a third child. One person put it simply, "no one wishes they had less."
This person referred to his grandmother, commenting, "My Irish grandmother would say you can always throw another potato in the pot. Not just three — have many, many more."
Some encouraged LaBonne to look beyond just three children.
This person thinks life is easier with more kids, commenting, "3, then more. With 2 kids, you're already doing all the work you're going to do as a parent. That's hard to explain or believe, maybe, but 3 onwards is not more work and then it's less as the older kids start being useful for family help."
Someone else wanted LaBonne to look much further into the future. "Go for three. It's worth it," the person wrote. "You're not just making this decision for the next few years. You're making a decision for the rest of your lives, with effects that will span generations. Your future self will thank you. Trust me."
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Some people regretted not having more kids.
One man wrote that he wished he hadn't listened to the naysayers.
"I got [a vasectomy] after 3 and very much regret it. Not necessarily because we'd want more, but bc I know in retrospect, that I was heavily influenced by the people around me who had very few kids," he commented.
This person agreed, writing, "I have two (age 10 & 12) and wish we had three or four. I have three siblings and now that we are adults especially, I'm so glad there's more of us. It makes a big difference for making a family culture, hanging out with cousins my kids' age, and taking care of aging parents."
Rob, we can't tell you what to do, but we will leave you with a little food for thought. As moms with lots of kids, life is never boring and there are plenty of laughs and lots of hugs. It's not easy, but rewarding. If that sounds like fun, then you've got your answer.
