Jenny McCarthy is definitely done having kids

Backing up earlier statements she’s made on the matter, actress and author Jenny McCarthy, 35, tells People this week that she is ‘officially done‘ having kids. In fact, she says,

I told my eggs don’t even bother!

One more issue she’d like to address — motherhood undergarment myths. Jenny insists,

We don’t wear granny panties!

Jenny is mom to son Evan Joseph Asher, 5½.

Source: People, March 3rd issue, p 114

Comments

I love my granny panties! One of my favorite pieces of clothing!

Poor thing, she is probably scared to go through another ordeal like she had with Evan. I don’t blame her, that is the scariest thing in the world not knowing what is wrong with your child then battling the diagnoses.

- Shelli on February 26th, 2008

especially a genetic disorder, like autism…

In my family, it runs opposite-gender: my father was mildly autistic (Asperger’s), and I am a carrier and his brother is a carrier and his daughter (my cousin) is autistic. I worried terribly about passing on the gene to one of my sons, but so far things are looking good, and our fingers are crossed. I admire Jenny for having the strength to make that decision.

- mtoo on February 26th, 2008

my 5 year old son has autism and is totally nonverbal (though hes VERY smart and understands all that is said to/around him..)

we have had many losses as well,and we also have a three year old little girl here with us (earthbound)

i would really love to have another baby, possibly even more than one. but it does feel very scary. i have watched my son suffer quite a bit and its just so hard.

there is a word for deciding to not have more (biological) children due to worries about autism or other conditions (when you otherwise might have other children if it were not for that)..when i found that out,i almost cried. it just seems so sad..because its called..’stoppage’

- M on February 26th, 2008

Yea jenny is scared to have another child with autism, this was a hard experience for her, she has said in the past. Poor girl, but I’m glad from what I have heard evan is doing better.

That being said, there are people that are happy with just one child, my cousin could have more if she wanted too, but she is an only child herself and she also wants her daughter to be an only child.

Leah remini and shania twain both said they only want 1 child too, so sometimes it’s just a matter of choice.

- gabriella on February 26th, 2008

I have a son who is 2 and is autistic, and I am definitely not having another child.

- Erica on February 26th, 2008

I guess I am the odd one out then…I have a daughter and I have a son. My son is special needs and mildly autistic and has other disabilities including a seizure disorder. He is doing wonderfully and is a complete joy. I would give anything to have another child regardless of whether they might have a disability or not. And, I think it would be great for my son to be a big brother! Sure its been tough and I was a single mother until he was 3 and my daughter was 5. But we made it through. Loads of doctors and appointments and therapies and special school. I wouldn’t trade the experience though as it has taught me so much about myself as a person and about my abilities to handle whatever life throws my way. My son is a happy and healthy kid and has a wonderful life with a loving family.

Whatever the reason Jenny wants only one child is just that…her reason. Not right or wrong just hers. I understand both sides of it.

- tink1217 on February 26th, 2008

I can definitely sympathise with Jenny here. I’m a carrier for several disorders (autism, cystic fibrosis, are at the top) I have many family members who live with those problems daily. I also have some other health problems that I’ve been told would absolutely pass onto the child — there’s no way I would consider bringing a child into this world knowing that. No way.

Having experienced some of that herself, I completely understand where her heart is, at least in part.

Even if health has nothing to do with it though — there’s nothing wrong with wanting one child.

- lis on February 26th, 2008

Jenny was very clear in her book that she very strongly believes that vaccines are what gave Evan autism. Since she does believe that, I don’t know why she’d be scared to have another child, as she doesn’t believe genetics are a factor.

There is nothing wrong with having one child, whether by choice or circumstances.

Evan is adorable!! I love, love that photo of them!!

- Christina on February 26th, 2008

There is a possibility that she just doesn’t want to have another child. Maybe for her, one is enough. I mean, she already has a beautiful son, a great relationship with her boyfriend, and a nice bond with his daughter. People can be content with just one.

Regardless, it’s her reasoning and just that. I admire her greatly as a parent.

- Avery on February 26th, 2008

i was thinking the same thing as some of the other posters. she seems very afraid to have more kids in fear of them having autism like her son. i can understand why. i have a cousin who’s son is severely disabled by autism and was advised by her obgyn NOT to get pregnant again. she was in her late 20′s, married, very stable and didn’t feel her doctors were correct in advising her of this. she did go one to have another baby, a little girl who is now 2 yr old and showing no signs of autism. being that the baby was a girl may have lessened her chances as well.

- coco on February 26th, 2008

i loooove this picture..

- Bella Mama on February 27th, 2008

I really admire Jenny McCarthy. As the parent of a special needs son without a specific diagnosis (developmental delay across the board, language disorder, seizures, extreme low muscle tone, striking beauty – LOL), I was a nervous wreck to have another child. As an only child, I really wanted my son to have a sibling, but knowing how much work it is and I don’t have the money that celebs have, it was a hard decision. (When I say money, I don’t mean for material things, I mean for extra therapies that we want for him.) Anyway, I did have another child, a daughter, and knock wood everything looks great and she is very big and strong. That being said, I have read many books about kids with a special needs sibling that feel slighted. So now I really would like another daughter for my daughter. I never had the bond of a sister and would love that for her. Am I being selfish by trying again? It made me sad to read “stoppage” on the other post too, like that writer said. I have such mother’s guilt no matter what I do. I also think long-term and think if I have another daughter, girls are so nurturing, they will both help with my son when my husband and I are no longer here. Sorry for the ramble. My point is, Jenny McCarthy is just such an inspiration to me!

- K on February 27th, 2008

I don’t mean any disrespect towards Jenny McCarthy herself, but I’ve always thought it a bit selfish too not have more children because they might have a disability and you’re too tired or too scared to have any more joys. I guess i’ve stuck by the saying no child is truely perfect, all parents go through a period of they’re child having some kind of “difficulty”

Although also in saying that I do in a way understand why, she did go through alot.

A friends mother had one severely disabled son, and 2 others were mildly disabled. This was years ago when they didn’t have much technology or help then as they do now, and she loved her children and didn’t care that the rest of her five children could be affected, people would gossip about her and her children but she didn’t care, she loved her children.

I just guess I admire that kind of strength more.

- Audrey on February 27th, 2008

I don’t know the reason behind Jenny not having any more children. Perhaps she’s afraid or perhaps she just wants one. Raising a disabled child is extremely difficult. The emotional toll is tremendous and then society continues to treat disabled persons as second-class citizens. Disabled children are almost impossible to get adopted and relatives rarely want to take in a disabled child. Services for disabled children are mediocre at best totally non-existent at worse. Also many disabled children are prime targets for physical and sexual abuse. I think Jenny is looking into the future as she should as any parent should and image what if. What happens to her child should she suddenly not be around? What happens should his disability worsen. Sure hope the best but prepare for the absolute worse.

I greatly admire parents of disabled children and would never compare my non-disabled children’s difficulties to theirs. It’s not even on the same level.

As for should she give her son a sibling or should any parent have more than one. That’s a personal choice. Families come in all sizes, what matters is the size of the love. And only children turn out just as fine as children with siblings.

- magenta on February 28th, 2008

I think the reason why Jenny only wants one child,besides the risk of having another autistic one, is because of what her sons reaction to it would be. An autistic child demands alot of attention from their parents, just like a newborn baby does. So Evan would probably be very jealous and maybe hurting his sibling or having terrible tantrums,since autistic people often has a lack of empathy towards others. So I think shes made the right decision only to have one child. Now he can have his mommy and step dad all to himself!

- Tanya on February 29th, 2008