https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:18:19 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maybe-three-lets-talk#post-2071628 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 10:59:24 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2071628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are considering it. DH is more open to it than I am. My concerns are: </p> <p>1) Immediate lifestyle finances - how to afford daycare, sports, summer camps, etc. Could we still afford to eat out? I feel pinched already with 2. Maybe in 2 years with them out of daycare and our careers further it would change? </p> <p>2) Long term finances - Affording vacations. with 2 we could consider a cruise or big trip out west, etc. With 3, we would be looking at much smaller scale get aways. And then things like what is the hit on our retirement, college savings, etc. </p> <p>3) Emotional - What impact does it have on our marriage? Do we have enough time to devote to more than 2 kids and work full time? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maybe-three-lets-talk#post-2071599 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 10:45:31 +0000 galore5 2071599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always thought I would have 3, but now that I have made it through the first year with 2 under 2, I am terrified to go through it again. I think I will wait a year and then decide. My husband is very happy to stay with 2, but will be open to a discussion about 3. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maybe-three-lets-talk#post-2071487 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 09:48:34 +0000 Silva 2071487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have one (she is almost 2), are going to start TTC sometime this year, and I am pretty sure I want a 3rd. We are casually looking at real estate and its definitely harder to find a 4-bedroom house than a 3-bedroom!</p> <p>We will probably try to have a two or 2.5 year gap between our second and our third, just to minimize the amount of time I am out of the workforce/working part time. Our daughter will likely be 3 when number 2 is born, which has worked well for us now, but I'd rather have the next two closer together.</p> <p>Everyone has a different financial strategy to life, but we have both agreed that finances (short of not being able to provide a good quality of life) won't stop us from having a 3rd. Its impossible to predict what the future holds, and we are privileged enough that having a third won't mean we can't afford summer camp or sneakers or family trips. </p> <p>We will have to get a bigger car, which honestly is the biggest drawback in my mind. I haaaate big cars. I will try to find the most compact car with 3rd row seating that I can. Do they still make those volvo wagons with the rear facing bench seat in the back? :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maybe-three-lets-talk#post-2071465 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 09:37:33 +0000 Mamasig 2071465@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have two boys and want a third. And nope I'm not trying for a girl. I just want a third. A large reason I want a third is because of the relationship I see with my boys. They loved each other from day one and already bug each other and play together (the baby is 9 months old). I know DH and I won't be here forever. I like that they have each other and would love for them to have another sibling. </p> <p>Yes, I'm completely scared at the thought of both financially and practically. Let's be honest - so much falls on the mom. I often think I'm only one person with 2 arms, how will I comfort a third? But I really think I would regret not even trying. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maybe-three-lets-talk#post-2071461 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 09:36:32 +0000 BandDmommy 2071461@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Skadi: if you qualify.. We don't get credit regardless.. You have to make less than $130k to qualify </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maybe-three-lets-talk#post-2071460 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 09:36:27 +0000 regberadaisy 2071460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Dh and I are firmly in camp 3. Life would be easier with just 2! :) But we want at least 3... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maybe-three-lets-talk#post-2071451 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 09:30:46 +0000 mrsjyw 2071451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Pregnant with #2 and we are in the "let's reassess after 2" camp.</p> <p>If #2 is as "easy" as ds was on us, we'll likely try for #3 when #2 is 1. </p> <p>We both want a big family, but am also happy with the family of four idea since so much of life is easily caterered to that common family size. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maybe-three-lets-talk#post-2071307 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 06:34:59 +0000 blackbird 2071307@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We plan on having a third in maybe 4 years but the pro is definitely not another baby lol. Not my favorite stage when they're really little. There's no reason why you can't have one more aside from "I just want one". I don't really have a solid way to justify my family plans but I don't feel like I need to, either. People are already assuming we are done (I have a 2 year old girl and am having a boy in May) but whatever! Daycare cost is a factor (no plans to quit! In fact, I'm looking at career changes lol-I'm crazy) and I think it'll be easier when our first two are older </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maybe-three-lets-talk#post-2071272 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 02:22:53 +0000 Skadi 2071272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If there is no cap, you can look at it as an extra $17,000 added to your income over the next 17 years from the credit. I know kids are expensive, but that does help offset the costs slightly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maybe-three-lets-talk#post-2071267 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 01:55:52 +0000 Boogs 2071267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Cons: Giving birth again, lol. With odd numbers it seems there is always extra fighting because someone is left out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maybe-three-lets-talk#post-2071265 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 01:44:12 +0000 Mmsva 2071265@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Only thing I've ever heard is that 3 is tough because<br /> 1) if you are the only parent with them, you only have 2 arms to hold onto kids. So if they are all little, it can be tough wrangling them.<br /> 2) Also, only 2 adults, so tough if each of you need to take one--one kid is left out.<br /> 3) also heard that sometimes 2 kids can gang up on the 3rd. </p> <p>But this is all stuff I've heard, so no first hand experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maybe-three-lets-talk#post-2071246 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 00:41:21 +0000 tequiero21 2071246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a third. I like the thought of a big family. :) if I didn't feel so old and didn't mind going thru newborn stage, I'd want another girl. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maybe-three-lets-talk#post-2071241 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 00:29:53 +0000 hellocupcake 2071241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@coopsmama: I think I keep questioning it because I want one but have no real reason other than the feeling that I want one more. We get the common "oh, one of each? That means you're done." It makes me feel like we're wrong for wanting another one. We already gave up living in the city so we could afford for me to be a SAHM, might as well make the move worth it...right? :) haha </p> <p>@Skadi: Now I'm wondering where I heard that! Hmmm. thanks :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maybe-three-lets-talk#post-2071239 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 00:06:30 +0000 Skadi 2071239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellocupcake: I did some Googling, but I couldn't find anything from the IRS website or elsewhere that said there's a cap on how many child credits you can have. They just have to be younger than 17 and the parents must make less than $110k jointly. It's $1000 per child. I know it has to be at least three children because they talk about the income ceiling using three or more as a benchmark for the credits (unless I'm reading it incorrectly).</p> <p>If there is a hard limit, I can't seem to find evidence of it. But I know a family with eight children, so I'm going to be nosy and email them asking about this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maybe-three-lets-talk#post-2071219 Sun, 15 Feb 2015 23:33:53 +0000 coopsmama 2071219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have two right now and like you am thinking of a third and maybe even fourth. We've always said we'd take a wait and see approach to family size and all the pros and the cons in the world don't matter to me if we don't feel "done." Right now our family doesn't feel complete so we will try for a third although not for a few years. :) </p> <p>If your husband is on board and finances aren't an issue I think you just have to do what your heart is telling you. :) It sounds so cliche but I think for me it's been totally true. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maybe-three-lets-talk#post-2071216 Sun, 15 Feb 2015 23:26:48 +0000 hellocupcake 2071216@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Skadi: would that go into the con? I thought you could only get credit for 2 kids? Haha. :p If there's no limit, I'm having like 10 kids :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maybe-three-lets-talk#post-2071206 Sun, 15 Feb 2015 22:54:18 +0000 Skadi 2071206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another baby means another child tax credit. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maybe-three-lets-talk#post-2071204 Sun, 15 Feb 2015 22:52:36 +0000 hellocupcake 2071204@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Right now we have two kids. A 2 year old daughter and a 4 month old son. I love my family of 4, but I keep thinking of maybe adding one more. DH is on board with 3 if I want, but says it's ultimately up to me since I stay at home with them all day. Let's talk pros and cons? </p> <p>Pros:<br /> Another baby!!</p> <p>Cons:<br /> I feel like the world is set up for families of 4:<br /> 4 people fit comfortably in a car<br /> Family vacation packages are set up two adults with two kids</p> <p>Being pregnant again (I suck at being pregnant) </p> <p>Hmmmm....can't think of much else. Anyone else considering a 3rd baby? </p>