What is the ideal number of offspring to have?

[mamashango]

Can anyone tell me if the government has a limit or a preferred number of offspring per person/couple? I have two boys at the moment, and would love another but just wanted to check, dont wont to add to overcrowding if there is a problem with birth rates!

[Neenee]

sorry, is this a serious question?

[mamashango]

Yes it is!

[bornblonde]

Do you live in China? If not theres no limit

[Neenee]

surely its up to the individual...... no law or limits that i know of!!!!

as long as you work and provide for your family have as many as you want, if you bleed the social security dry, i aint working to then help pay towards you to bring up your kids!!!

[mamashango]

Im in the uk.

[mamashango]

My husband works, and im a housewife.

[HatPin]

There is no such limit in the UK. Common sense should dictate you only have as many children as you can comfortably provide for :)

[scatty mare]

12 children per couple wasn't unheard of in the pre-pill days! If you want another child there's no reason you shouldn't go ahead without giving it a second thought.

[PatriciaH]

Giving birth twice is enough ! Neenee & hatpin have got it right :)

[electricblue]

I got 3,thats enough thats pukka!!

[yigoh]

2.4 the .4 eats less.

[janeo]

I think you should go for it! Birth rates are low (<2) and we have an aging population, so we need lots of new people to pax taxes to support us in our old age.

[WendyS]

What difference will one more mouth make when we have just hit a population of 60 million and already have a shortage of money to house, educate, provide water, and health services for the people who are already squeezing onto this tiny island.

[noxlumos]

If you van provide for your children then have as many as you like, I have a very large family, there are no "rules" governing this in Britain.

[jump79]

anything greater than one I suppose, because that's the loneliest number etc, etc.

From personal experience, three is just right, so when the oldest moves out, the other two still have company and also, between 3 children, at least 1 is bound to be the responsible/sensible one and settle all the sibling fights and so on.

[mimififi]

its freedom of choice. Only you can decide. I have 5 and while it is really tough sometimes as my husband works very long hours (he leaves about 6.30am and is rarely home before 10) it is also rewarding and it just gets better and better as they get older.

good luck if you do decide to have more and good luck if you don't. Just trust your heart and your common sense.