2 kids vs 3

[Maestro]

I can tell you there are all kinds of horror stories about having 1, 3 or more, for some reason everyone thinks 2 seems to work, I grew up with an older sister we never got along, we fought like cats and dogs, you can psycho analysis that to death, however today we get along really well, maybe because we both had to step up and help our parents, or maybe we both stop being self center and decided there were more important things.

My wife came from family of 7, 20 yrs between the oldest and youngest, the youngest kinda grew up as only child, act like one most times, but they all get along. We all would go in vacations together and rent big beach homes and hang out for a week, we did this for 20 yrs, at one point we had 35 people staying together. Can not tell you why they all get along, since they mostly complain about each other. But if you piss one off you have to deal with other 6. They stick together and circle the wagons.

Now I will tell you most people I know who have 3 kids say that 3 kids is expensive since most things are set up for family of 4. A simple example going on vacation, try put 5 people in a hotel room, at some point the three kids do not want to be in same bed together, telling one they are sleeping on the pullout, couch, or floor makes them think you do not like them so you are forced into pay for second room to keep peace. There is no paying for two kids and getting the 3rd free.

Not sure how my wife family did it growing up, since they use to vacation together and it never seem to be an issue thus the reason they kept doing as adults. Use to hear stories of all them piling into station wagon, and two kids sitting in the foot wells and 3 on back set and two all the way in back. You would not get away with that today without someone calling the police on you.

Good luck on whatever your decisions is. I personally think no matter how it works out the kids own personality has more to do with why they will or will not get along verse how well the parents try to make things work.

[CamasM3e93]

Originally Posted by thebmw

Actually, Chrysler Pacifica Hellcat. Was never built but would have been awesome. I actually asked Ralph Gilles about this years ago but wasn't possible for many reasons, least of which is the engine wouldn't fit. I think there would have been tremendous demand, as seen with the Durango and Grand Cherokee. I would have bought it!!

Here is my thread about it from 2020!
https://www.6post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1780730

Fine, fine. Puncture our dreams with facts.

Honda really makes the best Minivan anyway and who here wouldn’t want to do the performance mods themselves?

[AmuroRay]

OP- this is now a minvan thread. Have more and buy one!

[rebekahb]

I’ll just throw this out there from what I see with my sister who has 3. Maybe it’s different from other people’s experience. My sister has a 10yo boy, 6yo boy and 6yo girl. When the oldest isn’t around the twins play together and get along great. When they are all together the 2 boys are always playing and she is left alone. They could care less about her. The other night the oldest was sitting next to my sister and my niece walked up and sat down. He got up and moved. My niece says he doesn’t like me. He’s a very sweet kid. She just tattles on the boy a lot and so that aggravates them. It’s also a very different story when all 3 are together vs just having 2 of the kids. 3 they create much more chaos. It’s wild how different the dynamics can be.

I’ll also say when the 3 are together she is trying to get more attention vs when she’s alone with just say me and my sister it’s like a different child.

I see the same thing with my other friend. 2 girls and a boy. The girls are always tumbling, flipping and jumping around. He’s off doing his thing with trucks. All 3 play together but there’s definitely a 2 against 1 that happens more often than not.

[floridaorange]

^Great point - I come from 3, my sisters had each other, which only reinforced how alone I really was at times

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

The reliability scares me on Stellanis products, but it does look good. Another alternative is the Sienna and Odyssey.

That's a valid fear, can't beat the toyota, but the pacifica sport looks pretty rad, especially parked by the beach

Anyway, thanks for the thought provoking responses, we are going to stick with 2 I think, and one day enjoy or grandkids and have the energy to play with them, God willing .

[UncleWede]

Big Brothers/Sisters. There are plenty of kids who need some extra attention, if you run out of things to do with your own kids

[unluky]

Don't do it. (My standard answer to any kids question......)

[rebekahb]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Big Brothers/Sisters. There are plenty of kids who need some extra attention, if you run out of things to do with your own kids

This or check in to becoming a CASA Advocate. There are so many kids in foster care who need someone to advocate for their best interest and be extra eyes and ears on DCFS.

[wtwo3]

wow somehow I missed this thread and we're already on page 3.

DON'T DO IT


Unless you love kids or something. I have 2 and would stab myself in the eye if I had a 3rd.

[BReif61]

Reading some (most?) of these replies is depressing.

We have two, with #3 on the way. I'm over the moon excited. Will it be a challenge? Yes. Will it be worth it? Absolutely.

[noemon]

We got 3, we went for 3 because we felt that was right for us and because our first 2 were boys and also wanted a girl which we got.

I vote 3.

Originally Posted by Maestro

Now I will tell you most people I know who have 3 kids say that 3 kids is expensive since most things are set up for family of 4. A simple example going on vacation, try put 5 people in a hotel room, at some point the three kids do not want to be in same bed together, telling one they are sleeping on the pullout, couch, or floor makes them think you do not like them so you are forced into pay for second room to keep peace. There is no paying for two kids and getting the 3rd free.

This is a good point, the way I play it I put 4 people in booking.com and force the 2 boys to sleep together. Problem solved, my kids are now 16,14,10 and we have coasted like this for the past 10 years in every single western country.

Often the hoteliers realise what's going but they never ever say a word(and if they do, they will simply charge like a £10 or £20 for extra linen + city tax for the extra individual) as we check-in all 5 of us for either 2 double rooms or a room for 4.

[floridaorange]

Originally Posted by BReif61

Reading some (most?) of these replies is depressing.

We have two, with #3 on the way. I'm over the moon excited. Will it be a challenge? Yes. Will it be worth it? Absolutely.

Dude congrats. I don't want you to feel depressed for me or anyone who has justified having 2 vs 3. My guess is you are a bit younger than my wife and I, she's 43, I just turned 44. So the clock is different for us and we have a 5 year old and 12 yr old, so we also kind of did things out of season. Which makes things simpler and more complicated in different ways. Excited for you and congrats on having a big family around you !

[tranquility]

I subscribe to the Robert Smith philosophy about having kids. 0 is best.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Dude congrats. I don't want you to feel depressed for me or anyone who has justified having 2 vs 3. My guess is you are a bit younger than my wife and I, she's 43, I just turned 44. So the clock is different for us and we have a 5 year old and 12 yr old, so we also kind of did things out of season. Which makes things simpler and more complicated in different ways. Excited for you and congrats on having a big family around you !

Our kids are about 8 years apart. We have always called them our 2 only kids . Our son has gone over the deep end (he says the ONLY purpose of females is to produce babies and subscribes to the "wives are to be seen and not heard" mentality; he'd be right at home with Islam) so has no relationship with his sister; and doesn't really want one. It's rather sad for him

[floridaorange]

Originally Posted by tranquility

I subscribe to the Robert Smith philosophy about having kids. 0 is best.

Wow - glad we are opposites or life would be boring. 100% agree we aren’t all meant to have kids. Lord knows I’ve always wanted a family and love my kids so much I nearly forgot to put God first for several
yrs, glad I learned from that mistake.

[Esteban]

^ Yep, if it weren’t for kids I wouldn’t have my best friend; my daughter.

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by BReif61

Reading some (most?) of these replies is depressing.

We have two, with #3 on the way. I'm over the moon excited. Will it be a challenge? Yes. Will it be worth it? Absolutely.

I agree, and congratulations!

[floridaorange]

^ Yep, if it weren’t for kids I wouldn’t have my best friend; my daughter.


Great topic for a separate thread - should parents make *their children their "best friends?"

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Great topic for a separate thread - should parents make they children their "best friends?"

AFTER they have moved out, sure.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Great topic for a separate thread - should parents make they children their "best friends?"

Been working for me for many years. I imagine it’ll always be this way. Sure, we have disagreements but we get over them. Wouldn’t want it any different.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

AFTER they have moved out, sure.

Daughter hasn’t lived with us for almost 20 years.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Great topic for a separate thread - should parents make they children their "best friends?"

To paraphrase Dale Jarrett... my job description is dad/father, not friend.