I’m absolutely finished having children. DONE. There are countless reasons why three is my limit, and when I declare that I’m done, I truly mean it with every fiber of my being. My baby-making days are over. The door is closed to the possibility of more children. I am certain that I only want to raise the three wonderful kids I have. This family feels complete because I am fully committed to being done.
How Do I Know This?
It’s simple. I never felt this way before my youngest arrived, and since her birth, I have not once experienced sadness over the fact that she’s my last child.
After my first two children, I was always thinking about having another. I made plans and held onto all my baby items, hoping for another arrival. We had lists of names, bins filled with clothes, and I stayed updated on all the latest baby gear. I was in full baby mode.
For me, this phase lasted from the moment I said “I do” until my last child was in my arms. All I wanted was to expand my family. We faced some challenges along the way, including infertility and losses, but we persevered. Three kids it is.
Now, my youngest is almost a year old, and I adore her. But I’m so relieved that she’s the final addition to our family.
The Chaos of Pregnancy
Let’s be honest: I’d rather relive the chaos of 2020 than go through another pregnancy. Pregnancy was a mix of sweetness and beauty, but also discomfort and hardship. During my third pregnancy, I experienced some intense physical issues that made it unbearable at times. I was nauseous for what felt like an eternity. I’ve had enough pregnancy experiences to last a lifetime. I’m all set in that department.
My youngest is now at a stage where I can occasionally hear myself think. I loved my newborns, but let’s be real—those early days are a bit daunting. They’re so fragile and can’t communicate their needs. Every time I laid a newborn down to sleep, I worried: Are they warm enough? Too warm? Are they breathing properly? It was a relentless cycle of vigilance, and it was exhausting!
Now, my baby is still little but solid and demanding. A few months ago, I wasn’t sure how I’d manage, but now that she’s mobile, things have changed for the better. She can crawl to what she wants instead of crying. I see independence on the horizon, and I’m ready to retire all those bulky baby items I bought in a desperate attempt to find a few moments for myself.
Gratitude for the Newborn Phase
I’m grateful for the newborn phase. It was my dream to have children, and I would have regretted missing out on it. However, I’m relieved that part is behind me.
I’m done having babies because older kids are fantastic. My oldest is just eight, and he brings me joy every day. We bond over shared interests, like our weekly watch of The Masked Singer while preparing dinner. He’s practically self-sufficient now. During virtual school, he gets himself ready in the morning without any help from me.
Being a parent isn’t always straightforward, but even my four-year-old is becoming more independent by the day. He sleeps through the night, dresses himself, and even helps himself to snacks. I love living with my quirky little guy.
Reclaiming My Time
I also miss the time I used to have with my husband. Although he’s been around all along, I long for the days before kids when we had the freedom to connect without distractions. Just the other day, we managed to sneak in some spontaneous quality time in the afternoon without interruptions, thanks to our older kids keeping the baby entertained.
After each of our children’s births, there’s been what I call “the scratchy patch”—a challenging time that can come with having a tiny baby. We are finally emerging from that phase, and I’m thankful we’re done with the baby stage for good.
I’m ready to reclaim my body and my life. Soon enough, my baby will be weaned, and I can finally focus on my needs. I’ve spent nearly a decade either pregnant, nursing, or trying to conceive. I want to be able to take care of my health without guilt and enjoy life as an independent person again.
Looking Ahead
From here on out, things will get better. As my children grow more self-sufficient, I’ll be able to rediscover my hobbies and perhaps even plan a vacation with my husband for our fifteenth anniversary—just the two of us.
When I was trying to complete my family, I didn’t understand how anyone could know they were done having kids. I yearned for each baby, and having two didn’t change that desire. But now I understand what my friends meant when they said that when you’re done, you just know.
It’s true: I am D-O-N-E with having babies, and there’s no question about it. If you are interested in more topics related to family planning, check out this blog post for further insights. For unique baby names, you might also want to visit this site for ideas. Additionally, if you’re considering home insemination, this is an excellent resource to guide you through the process.
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In summary, I’ve reached a point where I’m completely satisfied with my family of three. I’ve cherished every moment of motherhood, but I’m ready to embrace this new chapter of life with more independence and less baby-related stress.