How did you manage with 3 or more children?

Question

i have 2 children age 5 and 3 and would love another we could afford another child i have brought children up all my life my sisters as my parents were disabled, how do you cope with 3 or more children?

people seem to look down at parents with more than 2 children. what is your opinion on this. thank you

Answer 1

My opinion is, I don't give a rat's rear what other people think about me. :) My husband and I take care of our own kids: we pay for them, put food on the table, clothe them, educate them, and put a roof over their heads... No one else can say anything about it; at least, not if they want to make a valid point. (Our children are also well-mannered, and smart... We married when I was barely 19, and I was pregnant a month later.)

We have three kids, ages 10 (son), 9 (daughter), 18 months (daughter), and our last is due Oct.15th (another girl). We decided---before we married, 11 years ago---that we both wanted 4 kids, and we've proudly reached that goal... It's not always easy; money can get tight, sometimes, especially with these rising gas/food costs, but we manage, and we still have fun, lots of laughs, and plenty of love to go around. :)

People will judge another, whether they have 10 kids, 1 kid, or no kids... It's just life. I choose to either ignore them, or set them straight. ;)  

Answer 2

i had a 4 and a 2 yr old when i gave birth to my third when they are that young it just takes  a while to adjust (  you havent got 3 arms )and then its fine ladies are built to cope x i wouldnt worry about what other people think as long as you and you kids are healthy it doesnt matter x

Answer 3

I've not noticed people looking down on me but i'm usually too busy making sure I still have 3 small people near me!

My sons are almost 12 (started high school today! *blub*), 8 and 19 months. The house is usually chaotic and noisy but I love every minute of it. It's all about planning-making the school dinners the night before, washing in as soon as you can, getting the kids to help with chores. It's do-able if you have the patience to do it, which as you have been a 'parent' for so long to your siblings and then to your own children i'm sure you will be great at!

Answer 4

have as many you can afford, they bring tiredness and exhuastion but nothing can take away the feeling you've created something amazing and the happinessn they bring

Answer 5

I have four sons- ages 5 (in Oct), 3 1/2, 2 1/2, and 14 months. I think that as you have more children you just learn how to manage more. When I had my first son, I thought it was so much work. Then our second came and I realized I had it so easy with just one. And as we had more kids, I think I was forced to become more organized and a better multi-tasker. It's still a lot of work, but I like it better this way.

I don't know if people look down at parents with more than 2 kids- most of the people I know have three. Most people seem to say things like "I don't know how you do it". But for whatever reason someone would look down on someone with more than 2 kids, I would say "mind your own business". I have four kids and I'm happy. But I wouldn't expect someone with 2 kids to have more if they didn't want to. Your life is YOURS. Do what makes you happy because you're the one who has to live it!!!!

Answer 6

i have 4 children and i do find it hard. trying to give each one my time. i think we are all blessed that we can have kids. ignore what people say. i think its great that u want to have another baby. go for it

Answer 7

There are five children in our family (well, we're not quite children any more) and I don't ever feel like we were ever looked down on. I think saying that parents with more than two children are looked down on is a bit of an overstatement, most people I know have at least one or two other siblings, although I don't know many people with more. But I would say three is average. I would say occasionally people can look down on families of more than five or six but not really. I knew a girl who if she adds up her siblings, half siblings and step-siblings has ten all together (!) and although I found this a bit shocking people were mostly interested rather than disapproving.

I would say you cope with three or more children with a lot of patience, especially if they're all close in age. My mum must be a saint, when my younger brother and sister (twins...let's say they were...a nice surprise :D) were born I was three, my sister nearly 6 and my brother seven. We must have given my parents a lot of hassle!

Answer 8

Well I have 4 kids and I don't think anyone looked down at me.  But it was over 25 years ago and I think that people just wonder how you can afford a lot of kids.

Today most couples only have 2 kids, because of economic reasons.  My oldest son has 4 kids my second oldest daughter has 2, and my youngest daughter has 3.  My youngest son is only 23 and has no children.

Don't worry about what others think about the size of your family.  

Answer 9

We have 4 children, all planned, and we could really care less what other people think. Our children are the greatest blessings in our lives.

It wasn't that hard having 4, they were all 2 yrs apart and the youngest was potty-trained before the new baby arrived. We taught our kids how to do chores as they grew and to help one another. I am not their maid, I am their mom. At 18 mos - 3 yrs, they learned how to pick up their toys, they helped me with little things and we just continued as they grew older and could do more. Now I have 2 in high school, 1 in middle school and one in 5th gr. They clean the bathroom, do dishes, help with laundry, sweep floors, clean their rooms, vacuum, etc.... we all help and it all gets done in no time.

We also have lots of time for keeping active in school, with sports, music and with friends and family. It's awesome. I love big families!

Answer 10

i have 2 children and would have more but finacially would be bad idea you are lucky to be in a good finacial position, if you want more children then you shouldnt care what other people think ive always admired people that have more than 2 the family looks such a tight unit its nice!x

Answer 11

I have 4 beautiful healthy happy kids. I have the best time with my kids you don't need to worry the 3rd or the 4th is just like the first or the second they just need love and I know that sounds corney but its the truth and you will be amazed at how much the older kids want to help good luck.

Answer 12

I have 4 children - 11, 8, 5 and almost 1.

I think that having 4 kids is great. Yes, I am busy constantly, but because my children are well behaved I have never been the victim of the hateful comments and glances that some people seem to like to give.