When to plan the next?

[1BusyMummaOf2]

I am a somewhat young (22) mother of two, a boy and a girl. I have been with their father for 5 years now and we really want our children to be close in age. Once we have our 3, we can just enjoy being parents and raise our kids. I want to keep the age gap between my children even, which for us is 2 1/2 years. I keep getting from a lot of people that I should have my tubes tied because I have both a boy and a girl and there's no need for another one. Yes, I'm grateful for the children I was blessed with, but this momma has more love to give!! What do you think about the situation?

[ra11en]

I think the choice to have more kids or not is up to Mom and Dad, and no one else. If you are able to financially and emotionally add another child to your family, and you have the desire to do so, everyone should keep their opinions to themselves. And if they don't, ignore them. You don't have to justify your choices in something as personal and life altering as having another child.

[Newmom!]

If you and your man are ready, then there is no reason to not try. A blip of a study I read about said optimum spacing is at least 18 mo so your body can heal. You have that going. My mom and dad didn't start having children until they were 25, but they had a kid every 18 months. That was 4 kids in 4.5 years! That means she was pregnant with the next when the previous was only 9 mo old. That is too close! Since you plan to stop at 3 and you already have 2 I don't see the issue. Just be sure it is truly what you both want, then have fun.

[Deni_B]

If I ever felt the need for a third, I'd wait until my girls were out of diapers and in school so they can help out a little with the new babies. But like the first two said, it's really your choice and if you feel ready to have a new baby.