Growing the family

Despite the endless dirty nappies, the prospect of having more than one kid is appealing to Scott Kara. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

It would be so easy to stop after having one kid. And sod it if he or she becomes a little prince or princess with all that love and attention being lavished on them.

I'm quite happy to hang out with my little princess Mia for another couple of years, at least. One's enough, for now.

I'm not one of these people who think it's best to pop the family out, get it over and done with, and get on with life.

My wife and I had considered it because putting an end to things like stinky nappies, milky pukes, and long sleepless nights as soon as possible was very enticing.

And I'd imagine the best thing about having your second child - and any subsequent arrivals - is that at least you know what to do rather than agonising over things like whether the car seat is in tight enough, or whether the wee soul is warm enough.

However, there are a few factors against us adding another nipper to the whanau just yet - like the two bedroom house we own not being big enough, and my wife starting a new job recently. So we have a few years' grace, you might say.

There are those who will say there's never a right time. But you try telling that to a new employer ... and it would also be nice to have another small bedroom, crikey, we'd take an extra cupboard, when the next one arrives.

And then there's someone like my doctor.

He's a lovely chap and always thorough in his diagnosis, but since we had Mia he's shown a keen interest in when the next one is on its way.

I tell him there's no hurry. But there is, he insists.

And the other week, when my wife took Mia to see him, he got his chance to remind her first hand of the sobering fertility statistics for females in their early-to-mid 30s. You have to admire his pro-kids stance.

An old friend who lives in Wellington came over for dinner the other night and he could also be called a kids' advocate.

He's got two lovely little girls, and he and his wife are game for another one or even two (my wife and I have already agreed to stop at two by the way). That said, even he glazed over at the thought of more nappies.

But, the best thing, he reckons, about multiple kids is seeing them grow up and rub along in life together.

He's right. It's just that Mia might have to wait a few more years before she has another little person to boss around.

- Scott Kara

Pictured above: Despite the endless dirty nappies, the prospect of having more than one kid is appealing to Scott Kara.