Chris and I had a bit of a chat lately on the topic of whether our family should ever increase in size again. It's a tricky area, really, for me. I see the future as a set of different scenarios (perhaps I should have said *futures*, then) which makes it hard for me to commit to any one outcome. I once thought that I would never get married, own a house, or have a child, so I have good reason to believe what I think is best now might be radically different from what I will think two years from now.
I think that the Madeline-the-Only-Child scenario makes sense if I return to work in a big way, joining the ranks of number crunchers again. Pursuing a career that will go somewhere, like her dad's. I'm not sure if it's truly feasible to have a strong career in the corporate world if one is always going on maternity leave. Sadly, it seems easier to say that a company is "family-friendly" than it is to follow through.
But what if I don't get back on the career-track? It's quite possible. Our current move is just to the other side of Canada, where I can legally work. Chris's next transfer might be out of the country, where finding rewarding paid-employment will be incredibly more difficult. I could find myself with lots of time to devote to family matters.
Sometimes I wish the future would get here sooner!
I was totally the same way with #2. I totally didn't see myself getting married, I bet my friends from a while back would be shocked I now have 2 kids. But Dan and I knew we didn't wanted to have just 1 child, so I did join the workforce again to get my EI for #2. I was totally content with one child, but it is amazing having 2 and seeing how they interact, Jersey just beams at Nikyla and Nikyla is wonderful with Jersey. Things have a way of working out, try not to fret too much... how does Chris feel?
Posted by: Jaime | January 11, 2006 at 06:40 PM
Good luck Laura.
Posted by: Ani | January 12, 2006 at 12:02 PM
Laura.... everyone knows that "only children" turn out selfish, spoiled and rude. (you are the only exception that I know of..... ) SO... you MUST have more children to save Madeline of her fate. And, one day we can have a competition to see who will be my favorite neice/nephew. OOO XXX
Posted by: Julie | January 12, 2006 at 09:35 PM