Do you “regret” having a second child?

2nd pregnancy is definitely harder, you can’t rest and nap. Also everyone worries about how you’ll manage, how will you love your second like your first, how will you cope on newborn no sleep while looking after another child etc.. but you just do. You work out a way to do it and the best bit: your heart grows to twice the size to love both your babies x

I can't offer any advice as I'm currently 22 weeks pregnant with my second but I just wanted to say that I could have written this post myself. I was so keen to give my daughter a sibling as if felt like the "right thing" to do by her but I just can't get excited and hate talking about it. Like you, I'm very apprehensive about how I will cope with two. To be honest I've found one very hard and suffered with PND and PNA. I worry I've made the wrong decision. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone xx

I have only one child but “Having another child” regret is very real. There are forums on internet where quite some people do confess about it. I highly doubt anyone on this app will confess to it, even if they do regret about it. Especially since you can’t post an answer anonymously.
Meanwhile, try not to think about it and focus on positives. What you focus on, you attract more of it. Good luck 🫶🏻

I felt this way at first but I had a huge gap between my first and second. I was one and done for a long time. Some days when I was pregnant I remember feeling regretful because I was essentially starting over. Its normal. You’re human. You will adjust. I feel like moms who claim to never have feelings like this are faking because motherhood is hard and comes with ups and downs daily. I can’t imagine my life without my boys, I can say I’m definitely 2 and done now though 😂🤷🏻‍♀️

Back in the day there was this forum called Urban Mommy and the people on there would say stuff like this. I bet Reddit too since it’s anonymous. 🙁

I agree. Anonymously, people would be more comfortable with expressing that regret and sharing their thoughts. Moms who are content, of course, will be vocal, and that creates the facade that the ones who regret do not exist and they very much do.

I felt the exact same way with my second. I had a horrendous pregnancy couldn’t do anything with my oldest I felt so guilty. But I promise you when I say this. These feelings will go. Don’t get me wrong it was an adjustment having 2 but seeing my oldest with my second was magical and so worth it all in the end x

I was regretting it through my pregnancy but now she’s here I couldn’t imagine life without her ❤️

So we were one and done and I then fell pregnant last year. It took me about 5 months into the pregnancy to even start to feel a tiny bit happy about it because I was so on the fence with having another kid. I felt guilty cos we tried for years for my first child but then it just happened with our 2nd.

She's now 12 weeks old and I can't imagine my life before her.

Currently 17 weeks pregnant with my second, my son will be 3 on Oct 5th.
Sometimes I sit and think why have I done this to myself again🤣🤣🤣 dummies, bottles and nappies are all gone and I think the fear of starting over with another child to care for is a little scary to me but I do not regret my decision, I’ve always known I wanted 2 kiddos for as long as I can remember! this pregnancy has definitely been A LOT harder though so far with sickness (I had 0 symptoms with my son) and not being able to sleep when needed!

I have a two year old and a 7 month old… I don’t regret my second however I wish I waited abit longer….

My baby has had colic from birth up until 6 months old he screamed every day all day, my toddler has tantrums and still needs my attention… it got that bad I had to go back to work to get away from it… if I didn’t go back to work I really wouldn’t be here now…

However, the bond that my babies have is the absolute best and I wouldn’t change it for the world!
💖🩵

Just don’t go into it thinking that if you first baby was a dream that your second is going to also be a dream! Just don’t have expectations it’s amazing honestly xx

So close! My boys are October 6th and December 6th.

I don’t regret having a 2nd child but during the hard times I do think about how much easier my life would have been if I’d only had 1. Definitely don’t regret it, it just is hard work but parenting even one child isn’t easy

I don’t regret having my children. It was hard to get excited with subsequent pregnancies as I had a hard time with them, situations weren’t exactly ideal, the guilt of omg am I going to love them the same. I contemplated abortion for my 3rd when I first found out. And pregnancy after your first generally hits harder. But I have a 14m gap between my first two and a 19m gap between middle and my 6m old. It’s definitely hard at times but now I wouldn’t change it for anything, they are my world ❤️

Don’t beat yourself up mama, breathe and it can be absolutely normal to experience these feelings - if you find they’re getting worse or you’re really struggling please don’t be afraid to reach out

I felt like this when I was pregnant, especially in the early days but when baby arrived those feelings went! You will love both of your babies the same 🥰

I weren't prepared for my first but I embraced it but then 4 months later with my 2nd I was completely detached through my pregnancy, I was distraught when my positive line on the pregnancy test appeared. All kind of thoughts flooded my mind at the time but the moment I held him I fell in love. I was so riddled with guilt that I had ignored him throughout pregnancy.

I had my first June 2023 and my second August 2024 so 2 under 2 I don’t regret a thing. Is it hard? Yes. Do I wanna hide some days? Yes. Do I have a village? No my whole family lives 4hrs away and have very limited connections with outside world.

However I wouldn’t change a damn thing because they have the best bond, I see them learning together, growing together, helping eachother and they melt my heart.

I fell pregnant by accident (even using birth control!) When my son was just one 2 years old. We had been set on just having one but decided to carry on. Our first was difficult, cried a lot, never slept and is such an active toddler etc so I was petrified, completely opposite feeling to the first time around. However, our second is now 5 months nearly and it’s been much easier than I thought don’t get me wrong it’s tough but the jump has been so much easier than first time and it’s nice watching the oldest start to play with him. Having the 3 year gap made things easier because he was potty trained and could do the main things himself so hopefully the age gap will allow you that. No shame though at all, it is tough when you don’t feel like you thought you would though.

I never regretted having my second child or third. Yeah it’s challenging but you figure it out and you’ll be shocked how much you’ll love that baby and LOVE seeing both kids interact. Maybe you are having a fear of the unknown. Give yourself some grace and know the pieces will come together and routines will fall in place.

I wouldnt say i regret it but its soooo hard my son is 4 and waiting to be assessed for autism and its just constant i feel i cant split my time between them both in 5 months ive had a baby and we have moved house i mean i love them to death but wonder if i should have waited a little longer but i am 36 this year so didnt want to wait longer