I’m not sure how it happens, but somewhere down the line, some of us actually forget the pain of childbirth. The memory of those stressful first months – learning how to breastfeed, changing diapers every hour, figuring out a schedule for the family --  also begin to fade. Even the lack of sleep isn’t a big deal anymore. Some parents actually get used to surviving on only five or six hours.

 

When life begins to feel normal again and our toddlers become more independent, some of us start yearning for another baby.

 

Some couples decide early on that they want only one or two children. So they stick to that plan. Others, however, ditch it and actually go for the third baby, maybe even the fourth or fifth. Consider the famous Duggar family of Arkansas. The couple just gave birth to their 18th child last month.

 

All kinds of factors – from money and time to religious beliefs and concerns about the environment -- play into family-planning decisions. I’m wondering if you wouldn’t mind sharing yours. Is one child enough for you? Do you want more? How do you know when your family is “complete”?

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