The Shifting Sands of Parenthood: How Many Kids Do We Really Want?

Not medical advice. For emergencies, call your local emergency number.

Many prospective parents enter family planning with a preconceived notion of how many children they’d like. Some, like the Reddit user who shared their experience, grow up with visions of large families, while others might aim for a specific number. However, as the journey of parenthood unfolds, these initial desires can significantly change. The early stages of raising a child can be demanding, leading some to re-evaluate their ideal family size. This post highlights a common phenomenon: the evolution of family size desires from pre-kid aspirations to post-kid realities. It poses the question: do most people ‘just know’ their desired family size, or is it a dynamic decision shaped by experience? The common theme emerging from such discussions is that while initial desires are valid, the actual experience of parenting often leads to adjustments, making the final family size a personal and evolving choice rather than a fixed plan.

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