One busy morning at a bustling post office, my son, Lucas, declared, “I want a new brother!” I chuckled nervously, unsure of how to navigate this unexpected conversation. “You mean you want to swap your brother for a new one?” I asked playfully.
“No, I want more brothers!” he insisted, drawing the attention of other patrons. At that moment, I wished I could disappear.
“Sorry, buddy. That’s just not going to happen,” I replied.
“Why not?” he pressed.
“Because our family is already full of brothers,” I said, as a few people chuckled, and I cringed inside.
The topic of adding another sibling comes up frequently, and it both perplexes and annoys me. Initially, my kids accepted the idea that “our family is complete,” but those simple explanations have since evolved into deeper inquiries.
- “Why is our family complete with just two kids?”
- “But my friend’s family has four kids! Why can’t we have more?”
- “Why don’t you want more kids?”
- “Doesn’t what we think matter?”
Sometimes, I patiently address their questions, highlighting the positives of our family size. I remind them that families can take many forms, and ours is just right at four. Other times, I feel the urge to scream, “We’re not having any more kids, so stop asking me!”
There are few things I dread more than my children inquiring about a new sibling. Honestly, I’d rather tackle questions about “Where do babies come from?” or “Is Santa real?” than face this one, as there’s no easy answer.
How do I explain that I once envisioned a larger family, but realized I wouldn’t be the best mother to four kids? How do I convey that while I adore my children, I truly don’t want any more? It’s a struggle to articulate that, despite my certainty about our family size, there’s always a hint of doubt lingering. Most importantly, how do I get them to stop pestering me about another sibling? It’s driving me insane!
Truthfully, I don’t know the best way to respond. “Because I said so” comes close to capturing my feelings, but there’s no logic behind it. It’s more of an instinct that tells me our family is just right as it is. While I know life is unpredictable and I shouldn’t rule anything out, I can state with conviction, “We are not having more kids,” as firmly as possible.
Even though my partner and I are mostly content with our decision to stop at two children, I can’t help but feel occasional guilt and doubt. Am I making the right choice for my kids? Would having more siblings enhance their lives? Would our family feel more whole?
Asking these questions is ultimately a waste of time. Our family is what it is, and although I once desired more children, a larger family isn’t a possibility for us due to various reasons. When my kids inquire about why we’re not expanding our family, I remind them that we are complete just the way we are, even if that doesn’t fulfill their curiosity. I also assure them they can have as many siblings as they want when they become parents themselves, because I will happily welcome all the grandkids!
If you’re curious about more on family planning and home insemination, feel free to check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination here. And, if you’re interested in an artificial insemination kit, you can find a great option here.
In summary, navigating the desire for more siblings can be a delicate balance of love, doubt, and practicality. While my kids may yearn for a larger family, my heart knows that we are just right with the two we have.