Are We Done yet?
We've been in Indiana for 2 weeks today. We're meeting new and old friends daily. Everywhere I go, Aisling in tow, I get the same question. Are you done now? That's a tough question I think. How do you ever know when you're DONE.
We've got a very full plate that's for sure. At times having 4 children has proven to be overwhelming. We are are getting into our groove but we still have moments (like our past picture taking experience) when 4 children seems like 100. Also, sometimes when we're out and I see couples out alone for dinner, I think it might be nice to get to the stage in life when we don't have a baby. So we could go out, just the two of us. The older children get, the more independent they become from us. I am looking forward to a day when the kids don't have to come with me to every little thing. Lets not even go into the financial aspects of having a large family.
That being said, how can I ever say that I NEVER want to have another baby? There is nothing greater in this world that I can do than give birth to a child. There is nothing like it. It's an amazing thing. Every child we have brings us so much joy and happiness and opens up new places in our hearts that we didn't know existed. Many things have been written about the joys of parenthood and they are all true.
But there's something else about this idea of being done that has me thinking. Since I was a little girl, all I ever wanted to do was have babies and be a momma. I have never been happier since I started doing that. When I hold my babies I really get a sense of fulfillment, like I am living out my destiny, doing what I was made to do. If we are done having children, then I have to go through a kind of redefinition of myself. I'd still be a momma of course, but in a different stage. We'd really be closing one chapter of our lives and starting another. That's kind of scary. I'm not sure I'm ready for that. Who will I be if I stop having babies?
So are we done? Since we have a newborn I can easily say we are done for now. Done for ever? That's a decision I'm not ready to make yet.
Sheryl Bane
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Reader Comments (12)
Steph
Enjoy your family :)
Jenn
For me two was enough and since I battled bouts of PPD after both births, I had to put my health first. I know if we had a third child, my PPD would be worse than before.
For others, that is not the case. As long as Scott and you agree, go for as many as you like.
Haven't others realized to stay out of people's business? First it's "when are you getting married", then "when are you having kids", then "when are you having the next", then it's "why aren't you stopping".
Gee wiz!
Lori
I have SOOOOOO many people asking me if we are going to try for a girl. I can't tell you how much that actually angers me. I love my boys. I am satisfied with my boys. And I wouldn't have it any other way!
Enough said!
Lori (again)