What's it like having a big family? :for parents of 4 or more kids?

Question

I see many of you on here have 4, 5, or even 6 kids. I've always thought it would be great to have alot of kids, but what's it really like? what are the pros and cons? what does it take to run a family with 4+ kids? how old are your children (how many years apart), and did you plan on having such a large family or were your kids unplanned ?

Answer 1

From what all my friend with 3+ kids say, it's MUCH easier having several kids than having just one!

For one thing, they entertain each other.

Answer 2

its is chaiotic, loud, expensive, stressful but.......it is a loving environment with each family supporting each other, and i wouldn't have it any other way.  

Answer 3

I am the oldest of 8 children - roughly 2 years apart and my parents now say that if they were to do it all over again, they would have had 4 more!  My mom is orderly and never worked outside the home. My dad had a common job and has never made a ton of money.  They are wise with their resources - teaching us all how to be helpful. Neither of my parents are perfect, but they love us unconditionally.  I think the hardest number of children to have is 3.  Two children -there is one for each parent. And four or more, they entertain each other.  Three - a juggling act and usually your oldest is barely old enough to be able to help you when they are all little.

My personal opinion is that a mother's place is in the home.  In the home is where the children can find her, she is making the wholesome meals and has time to keep an orderly house.  If you want a career and juggle that with parenting...then all will suffer.  There are only so many hours in a day - your husband needs you and your children need you...but somehow your boss gets your best hours of the day and week...

I LOVE coming from a big family - but it is hard work.  Rewards don't usually come to those  you don't work for them.

Answer 4

I have 5 children, Ages 15,11,11,2,and 4 wk old. It's expensive as they get older but my 15 year old works to support himself financially for Car Insurance, Cellphone bill, and if he doesn't have enough we'll lend some to him. I only wanted two, but i realized i wanted to have more.  

Answer 5

i am a child of 5. the oldest is 26 and youngest is 12.

in between we have 14, 16, and 22

it doesnt seem too terribly hard. we've never been poor. we get along fairly well. we all try to help out. and we have a normal size, 5 bedroom.

we're not rich, but we're not poor

we're middle class.

my mom works in the kitchen at an elementary school and my dad works at a well drilling company that my grandpa owns

i think once they had 3 kids, they were fine with having more. we like having a big family and its nice to have so many ppl to rely on

Answer 6

im not a parent, but i am the oldest of five kids in my family. we live in the suburbs in a five bedroom house. there are two older girls and three younger boys and we are all roughly two years apart. to tell you the truth, my mom has been very stressed out because she feels she is always driving around to school and sports. we all are in a sport and the older three of us play an instrument. most of our money is spent on meds and food.

cons:

it takes a lot of money to raise five kids. imagine paying $250 a week for groceries and refilling five medications each month. driving people places is tough... like two soccer practices at 5:30 and softball at 6. in addition, the stay at home parent has to stay at home until all five children are in school, for my family that took 14 years. also, there is always chaos and sibling rivalries.

pros:

its one big family. my family loves family dinners and going on vacation together. it may be tough but we all have fun. backyard cookout become a party with just our family because we can have washers tournaments and picnics with just us 7. also you have a built in babysitter. and we are all very close!

the most important thing is keeping a set schedule, having family dinners, and making sure mom and dad set a good example. the most stressful times are when they are in a fight.

good luck, and go for that big family!!

Answer 7

My children are 5, 2 (will be 3 next month), and 20 months.  I am due next month (sept. 16).  The first two were planned, but the last one was kind of a suprise, and my husband claims we aren't through yet (he is out of his mind lol), it can get real crazy in our household sometimes, but they do entertain each other, and its sweet to watch them do things for each other, and know they will grow up so close.  If I had to do it over again I would do it the same way I would just hope it would come without the screaming, fighting, tantrums, and all that good stuff lol.

Answer 8

I agree with rebekah 110%  Mine are 10, 11, 17, 20, and 22... And I'd have another one tomorrow if I could!

Answer 9

Well I come from a large family and for that reason will not be having one. It's very easy to get lost in the shuffle, and when it's a particularly big family, the older kids end up practically raising the little ones.

To each his own, but I would never.