5 Reasons to Have a Third Child (that you may not have thought of)

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You’ve probably heard all the reasons not to have a third child, but I bet you haven’t had a whole bunch of people coming and telling you all the valid reasons to have a third child?

If you’re having an internal debate and wondering whether or not you should have a third child then you need to know both sides of the equation.

I’m a mom of three and therefore feel qualified to share what I believe are some great reasons for choosing to add a third child to your family.

I’ll admit that I had my reservations before we had our youngest child simply because of the opinions of others, but I’m so glad we decided to ignore them! Having a 3rd baby is a good idea and I’m going to share why.

All the Reasons to Have a Third Child

These reasons are based on my personal experience, which is of course, unique to that of other parents with three kids. Everyone has different experiences.

However, I believe my reasons are valid and can even be applied to adding another baby no matter the number of children you have now.

In a world where children are seen as an inconvenience, I’d like to shed some light on why it is that having another child is a blessing.

#1 You Want Another Baby

If you want to have another baby then that is a perfectly good reason to have a third child.

Honestly, when it comes to having children, you can use logic and reasoning all the day long but it really does come down to being a heart issue.

I think most moms know what it feels like to yearn for a baby. I knew that we weren’t finished growing our family after I had my second child.

There was an empty space in my heart that I wanted to fill with love for another child.

If that’s how you’re feeling, then that is reason enough to have a third child.

#2 Adding Another Sibling for Your Children

I don’t think the benefits of having a sibling are spoken of nearly enough. There are so many blessings that come with that special kind of relationship.

Siblings have the potential of being wonderful playmates, and even best friends.

So often, parents worry about removing their full attention from the older child when a baby comes along, but the reality is that there is a natural blessing that comes from that.

Children with siblings naturally learn to share, entertain themselves, play nicely with others, and many other wonderful attributes.

Of course, only children can totally learn these skills as well, but a parent would have to be more intentional about providing opportunities for that to happen.

I am one of 4 siblings and now as adults we are all great friends. Our parents did a wonderful job of creating a healthy home atmosphere where we learned healthy and loving relationships.

As a result, we now have a strong family support system.

#3 Three Kids Isn’t Much Harder Than Two

Ask parents with two or more kids and I’ll bet that the vast majority will tell you that the hardest parenting transition is going from 0-1 kids.

The reality shock that comes from having your first baby is quite something. I mean, nothing can really prepare you for the lack of sleep.

Having your first child is eye-opening for sure but by the time you go through it the third time, things have changed.

From my experience, adding a third child wasn’t really that much harder than having two. If anything, I was busier, but we were already in baby/toddler mode to begin with.

It was definitely an easier transition than having my first baby was. There was a lot less stress involved.

By the time you get to your third child you’re already used to being needed a lot. You know what sleepless nights are like, and you’re used to balancing children with different needs.

Now, I’m not saying that it’s easy or that it’s a walk in the park. Parenting is hard.

However, I don’t think that you should be scared of what adding a third child will add to your workload. They tend to just fit in because life is busy.

The Age Gap Makes a Difference

Something else to consider is the age gap between your kids. My three hare 18-months apart and then 2-years apart. When my youngest was born, my eldest was just 3-years old.

I always refer to my older two as the big kids even though they’re really not that far ahead in age.

If your kids are a bit bigger then this transition will be that much easier. Having older children is a game changer.

Adding a new baby isn’t as difficult because your older kids are more independent and don’t take as much time to physically take care of.

Older siblings usually love to help with caring for the baby, and this is a big help to you.

When you have a third baby it often isn’t as difficult as your first or second.

#4 Your Parenting Becomes More Relaxed

We all joke about how parenting standards relax the more kids you have. We joke about it because it’s true.

Whether it’s because you grow in confidence or if it’s because you’re just tired…or maybe both, it definitely happens.

I stressed so much more about sleep when it came to my firstborn than I did with my third. I cared a lot less about the state of my home and myself postpartum.

It’s not that I was just a hot mess for the sake of it, but more that I gave myself the grace to recover from 9-months of pregnancy and then childbirth.

I think that the more children you have, the more you have to focus on what’s truly important- mostly out of necessity.

You don’t have the time or energy to be sweating the small stuff anymore.

You’ll still worry and second-guess yourself. That’s basically an inherent part of being a mom. However, you won’t do it as much.

#5 You May Regret Not Doing It – Children are Always a Blessing

I’ve seen this asked by several moms:

When you imagine Christmas 20 years from now, who would you like around your dinner table?

Will you regret not having that third child there?

I know it isn’t always quite that simple, but often times you’ll get a quick and straightforward answer when you ask yourself this.

Honestly, I worried if I would regret it. I mean, we well and truly have a middle child and I had heard so many negative things about that.

People talk about how siblings gang up on each other and one is always left out.

Here we are, almost 3 years after adding our third and so far, that hasn’t been our experience. Having a bigger family has been such a blessing!

While life is busy with small children, there is lots of love to be had and many good times.

There’s Never a Perfect Time

Look, having another baby is hard. For me, pregnancy was always a really big challenge. I struggle both physically and mentally. I had postpartum depression after my second, and my last pregnancy I had a multitude of challenges to contend with.

Having another baby will cause a disruption to your life. For the first couple of years you have to let a lot of things go as you put a bit more focus onto the newest member of your home.

I know that you have to consider things like your financial situation, whether you need a new car, or if you’re going to have a full house.

But here’s the thing – children are always a blessing.

Every mom has to make her own decision about having a baby. Some short term disruptions are well worth the sacrifice when it comes to having another child.

Other disruptions can be a lot harder to deal with.

What you need to know is that third babies and ALL babies are a blessing. Life circumstances may make it a challenge, but that doesn’t take away from the value that every single human life has.

It May Be Hard

I feel as though it would be negligent of me to make out like having a third baby is all rainbows and butterflies.

My third baby was my easiest. In part that was because she slept the most, but I was also a more relaxed mom.

However, she’s been my most challenging toddler to date.

Adding a third child may be hard. You may have a difficult pregnancy or the baby stage could be stressful.

No one can tell you what the future holds.

The reality is that any situation in life can be hard or easy…we don’t know unless we try it.

Tiny people are a lot of work, but they become easier.

Difficult babies don’t stay difficult forever, and even toddlers stop throwing tantrums eventually. There is always joy to be found if you look for it.

In my experience, the first year is the most challenging but things get easier after that.