Shortly after getting married in 2000, my wife and I decided to have three kids. It seemed like the perfect-size family for us — not too big, not too small. We figured three would still allow us to give each plenty of attention. Recently, we discussed the prospect of having our third. However, our hands are already full with a bright-eyed three-year-old daughter and an inquisitive one-year-old son. We are beginning to reconsider the notion of having that sought-after trio.

This is perhaps the most difficult of the important personal and professional decisions looming before me, as graduate school fades away behind me and my career stands facing me. The decision to have a third child falls during this transitory period of my life as a postdoc.

Job changes can occur quickly, and moving to another city with an infant is not ideal. So what is the solution? Procrastinate. We can afford to wait to have another child because my wife and I are still relatively young, although I think the longer we wait, the less likely we are to have another child.

We would both love to have a third child eventually, but at the moment we must make the tough decision to put family growth on hold. Right now I need to focus on my career: on publishing, publishing, publishing and then looking for a job.

For the time being this is my next priority — raise a paper and nurture a career. Then think about raising another little one.