How and When Do You Decide Your Family Is Complete?

I’m one of two children, so I was certain that two was the perfect number. That was before I became a mother. Now…I’m just not sure.

There are many moments when I’m convinced two is more than enough. On those exhausting, sleep-deprived days when the baby is crying or when my preschooler just won’t go to bed, I think my family is complete. But the daily joys of parenthood outweigh physical exhaustion.

I know there’s a reason I just can’t bear to part with the outgrown baby clothing, the baby swing and all of the other baby gear that clutters our basement. So while I haven’t decided that I definitely want a third child, I am no longer certain that I don’t.

The love I feel for my children has changed the way I view family size. Pre-children, my concerns were mainly financial and practical. But after seeing a friend of mine welcome an unexpected baby into her life, I realized that no mother regrets having a children even if there are accompanying financial hardships. And after seeing other friends struggle with infertility or pregnancy complications, I feel especially blessed to have two healthy children.

On the other hand, I’ve had friends tell me definitively that they are done having children. Several even had their tubes tied. I lack their certainty, and I suspect I’ll probably decide to have a third child once I develop sufficient amnesia about childbirth and all of the sleep-deprivation that follows.

I’m one of two children, so I was certain that two was the perfect number. That was before I became a mother. Now…I’m just not sure. There are many moments when I’m convinced two is more than enough. On those exhausting, sleep-deprived days when the baby is crying or when my preschooler just won’t go to bed, I think my family is complete. But the daily joys of parenthood outweigh physical exhaustion. And I know there’s a reason I just can’t bear to part with the outgrown baby clothing, the baby swing and all of the other baby gear that clutters our basement.

So while I haven’t decided that I definitely want a third child, I am no longer certain that I don’t. The love I feel for my children has changed the way I view family size. Pre-children, my concerns were mainly financial and practical. But after seeing a friend of mine welcome an unexpected baby into her life, I realized that no mother regrets having a children even if there are accompanying financial hardships. And after seeing other friends struggle with infertility or pregnancy complications, I feel especially blessed to have two healthy children.

I’m curious to know: How and when do you decide your family is complete? Join the conversation and be entered to WIN the designer handbag of your choice (Up to a $500 value) from Essure!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Essure. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Contest Rules.