5 Ways to Determine the Right Family Size for You

By Christie Silvers, published Aug 29, 2007
Published Content: 176  Total Views: 467,449  Favorited By: 49 CPs
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There can be several factors that determine whether or not a couple is happy with the size of their family. Many people have a preset number of children in mind that they want to have and then no more. While others never really feel like their family is complete. So how do you know when you are finished having children? There is no cookie cutter answer to this question that is right for everyone, but in this article you will find some of the most common ways that a couples chooses to stop having children.

Finances - One of the top reasons that many couples choose to stop having children is money. No one ever seems to have enough and raising children is an expensive endeavour. You have doctor visits, clothing, baby toys, supplies and vitamins--and that's before the baby is even out of the womb! Money can be a big issue when a couple plans out their family size and it can be the deciding factor when it comes to preventing any further growth of that family.

Age - Age is another deciding factor for family size. Many men and women have a set time frame in mind for things in their future and that can include parenthood. With more couples marrying at older ages and working for into their reproductive years, age can especially make a difference to women. There are higher odds of age-related difficulties for the infants of older mothers. Of course there are many women of "advanced maternal age" who go on to give birth to happy and healthy children with no problems at all.

Medical Issues - There are many medical issues that can factor into a couple's family size decisions. They can range from numerous infertility issues to problems that arose during a previous pregnancy. Sometimes these medical issues can be so severe that they will prevent the mother from every having anymore children. The decision on family size that is based on medical issues can be created by either physical requirements (infertility, hysterectomy, etc.) or it can be created by mental requirements (the mother is frightened to go through the same experience again). Either was, medical issues can definitely be a way to determine the right family size for you.

5 Ways to Determine the Right Family Size for You

How big is your perfect family?

Credit: B S K

Copyright: www.sxc.hu

Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 10 of 10
 
 
What a fantastic idea. I bet people never really think about it until it's too late. I like this read.

Posted on 02/08/2008 at 9:02:36 PM

 
Excellent!

Posted on 09/12/2007 at 2:09:00 PM

 
Great article, Christie. You're right that it takes two. So one partner should not pressure the other one to have more children if they don't want more. Sophie

Posted on 09/04/2007 at 10:09:00 AM

 
These are good factors to consider. Great article.

Posted on 09/02/2007 at 10:09:00 AM

 
Very good job!

Posted on 09/01/2007 at 9:09:00 AM

 
Good advice, especially for those with special considerations to the family.

Posted on 08/31/2007 at 7:08:00 AM

 
I'd be in the "I have no clue" section. LOL. Right now I want as many as possible, but I am sure after the first child that'll change! :)

Posted on 08/30/2007 at 3:08:00 PM

 
Cancer decided it for me... but I already had 4 by then so I was like "Yeah! Rip that stuff out!"

Posted on 08/30/2007 at 4:08:00 AM

 
Very good. My desired family size was seriously limited by divorce. :)

Posted on 08/29/2007 at 8:08:00 AM

 
The biggest one for us is finances. With two kids from a first marriage, and our one, my man was done at three. I could have gone for one more. Good article.

Posted on 08/29/2007 at 8:08:00 AM

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