The real debate: How many children are "right" for your family? Are you ready for another baby?

September 26, 2:49 AMEarly Childhood Parenting ExaminerAngele Sionna

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How many children should we have?

That's a question asked everyday somewhere across the world. Should we be like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and just keep having more? How do you know what's right for you?

BabyCenter.com says about the question of adding another child, "Some say it's even harder than deciding whether to have a first child. You're not just talking about having a baby, you're talking about changing a family."

Like many American families, my husband and I planned on having two children, which is where we currently stand. (The average American household officially has 2.1 kids, whatever that means.)

When is the right time to add another baby? There's no right answer to this question either. It differs for everyone. But a "study at the University of California in San Francisco found that the ideal interval between babies is 24 to 35 months," according to BabyCenter.com.

Our girls are 18 months apart and I think it's good spacing. Some days it's hard. But usually my oldest loves to show her sister how to do things and help take care of her - from grabbing a new diaper to fetching a bib or getting her a toy to play with.

At one year old and 2.5 years old, they are at the age where they play with many of the same toys nicely. And there's nothing better than when they give each other hugs and kisses and laugh and laugh together. But would it mess up the dynamic to add a third to the bunch?

Many of my mom friends and I have discussed this topic with much of the same conclusions, you need to trust your gut.

Can you handle it - physically, emotionally, financially? Would you regret not adding to the family down the line?

Right after our second was born, my husband and I thought we had settled on having another baby. Then we flip-flopped and thought we had settled on staying with two. But after my girls played with their cousin recently (who is just one month younger than my youngest), we've begun the discussion to expand our family again.

Our rule is simple: we must make the decision not hoping for a boy or another girl. The decision must be based fully on just the idea of a third.  

BabyCenter.com suggests to also "consider whether you have the time and energy an infant requires, and whether your children are ready to deal with the reality of a baby in the house. You may end up deciding that one is enough."