Ready For Another Child? What To Consider Before Having More Kids

Many parents dream of having a big family, and for those who took the leap, it's a rewarding journey filled with countless blessings. However, before making this life-changing decision, parents should consider important factors, such as finances, lifestyle, support, and more.

In the past, it was common for families to have six or even nine children. Our grandparents often shared stories of growing up in large households. However, times have changed. We spoke to parents with multiple children about their reasons for growing their families and the key factors they considered before deciding.

Here's what they shared.

Parents share considerations before having more children

Physical health, finances, and support system

Mommy Camie Tejada, 29, with four children ages 6, 4, and 2, and 0

The decision to have multiple children was mutual for her and her husband. Mommy Camie shared, "Becoming a mother has always been a dream of mine. I was also a big sister-slash-mother to my siblings, and nurturing, guiding, and protecting them was fulfilling. When I met the person I wanted to raise a family with—someone kind, patient, and responsible—I was confident he would be an incredible father. Choosing the right partner before having multiple kids is one of the most important decisions you must make in life," 

"Since we wanted to give our kids the best, we needed to plan our finances carefully. More kids mean more hustle for us parents." —Camie Tejada

Mommy Camie emphasized that raising children can be financially demanding. Parents must budget for prenatal care, delivery costs, and baby necessities. As children grow, education, extracurricular activities, and healthcare become major expenses.

"Since we wanted to give our kids the best, we needed to plan our finances carefully. More kids mean more hustle for us parents," Mommy Camie added. She and her husband are both contractors in a construction company.

Another factor she considered is her health. She decided to stop having children in her late 30s as risks such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and chromosomal abnormalities increase with age. Aside from physical health, emotional health should also be considered.

Ask yourself: 

• Do we have the emotional bandwidth to care for another child?
• Are we ready to handle the added responsibilities and sleepless nights?
• Can we continue to provide love and attention to each child without feeling overwhelmed?

Lifestyle changes

Mary Pauline Avenido Poblete, 36, with four children ages 18, 6, 5, and 2

A strong family support system was key to Mommy Pauline's decision to have multiple children. Her husband is a senior operations manager at a BPO company, while she is a content creator and small business owner. They initially planned to have only one child, but Mommy Pauline explained their change of heart.

"Parehas kami ni husband na only child. Naramdaman namin yung hirap kapag nagka-problema na ang parents. Wala kaming mahingan ng tulong. Hindi mo pwedeng obligahin ang iba ninyong kamag-anak kahit pa kapatid ng parents mo, dahil may sarili din silang pamilya," she shared in the Smart Parenting Village Facebook group.

"Kung dati you only need to wake up an hour before school time, magiging two hours na." —Mary Pauline Avenido Poblete, mom of 4

Because of their experience, they decided to give their daughter a sibling. Now blessed with four children, they appreciate the saying, "the more, the merrier." Mommy Pauline happily shared that there's no dull moment in their home. "We are our own party since every child has their own unique character!"

Nevertheless, she shared that they also made adjustments in their daily routine and schedule, which she advises parents who plan to have another child. "Kung dati you only need to wake up an hour before school time, magiging two hours na. Same as bath time and meal preps. It all goes down sa routine na lahat ng members ay involved and nag-a-agree," Mommy Pauline said.

Ask yourself: 

• Are we open to have flexible work arrangements?
• What are our childcare options?
• Will one parent be okay to take a step back from their career temporarily?

Sibling dynamics and investments

Mommy JR Caparas, 42, mom of three teens

Each new addition to the family shifts the dynamics between siblings. Parents think about whether their existing children are emotionally prepared for a new baby and how it may impact their relationships.

"Each child is different, so we practice equity over equality." —JR Caparas, mom of three

Mommy JR shared her approach to ensuring that all her children feel valued, "Each child is different, so we practice equity over equality. By providing specific support based on each child's needs and circumstances, the siblings could develop into their own persons without unnecessary comparisons from themselves or others." She shared that when her kids were younger, she enrolled them in karate to avoid sibling rivalry. She realized that they should be free to choose activities they enjoy.

Also an only child, Mommy JR knew that having more kids required careful financial planning. "Our finances only improved after having our third child—we both transferred to companies with more competitive salaries and benefits," she shared.

To secure their children's future, they started early with investments. "We got an educational plan for our first child when she was just two years old," she added. "Now, we're already receiving the payouts."

Ask yourself:

• How will another child affect the relationships between our existing children?
  
• Can we afford the added expenses of another child, including healthcare, education, and daily needs?
• How will having another child impact our long-term financial goals, such as homeownership or retirement?

Big family: Is it for you?

Ultimately, the decision to have a big family is deeply personal. While raising multiple children can be overwhelming, these moms have shown that there is joy and abundance in it. By carefully considering financial stability, health, lifestyle, and sibling dynamics, parents can make an informed decision that ensures a happy and fulfilling life for their growing family.

Find out how these couples decide that they are one and done here.