Is it normal to regret having a second child?
Yes, it can be normal to regret having a second child, especially when you’re overwhelmed or miss the life you had before. That feeling doesn’t automatically mean you don’t love your child or that you’re a bad parent.
People often feel pressure to be endlessly grateful for parenthood, so regret can be hard to admit. You might love your child and still wish you’d made a different choice, or miss having more time, energy, money, or attention for yourself and your first child. Those feelings can be especially strong during exhausting stretches and may shift over time.
Not everyone relates to this, but you’re far from the only parent who has complicated feelings about having another child. You don’t have to turn the feeling into a verdict on your family or on who you are. If it’s weighing on you, talking honestly with someone you trust—or a therapist who understands parenting—can help you sort through it without judgment.