Is having many children a blessing?
By zandi458
@zandi458 (28102)
Malaysia
October 1, 2009 4:21am CST
Long time ago people in the third would countries believed that having many children is a blessing from above. This belief has been strongly embedded in their mindsets. Couples start their mission to produce as many children as they can ill afford without proper planning and end up having many children that can form a football team. Some of them live in pathetic living conditions, cramped in a small hut and can barely afford to feed the growing number of children. But still they won't surrender until nature stops their production facilities. By the time their biological clock stop ticking they have produced more than a dozen of children.
I was born in that era and am one of the products of a big family of 10 children. My mother sacrificed 15 years to be in and out of pregnancies to have the 10 of us. Did I ever regret to be in this big family? I could surprise you with a big NO. I am very thankful to God that I am privilege to have many brothers and sisters who are now in their adult life and making a big wave of success in their lives. We have lecturers, businessman, members of the board, dentist in the family. Besides our early childhood was not as bad as those who are in the same boat as us, those that have many children in the family. Luckily I have a well to do grandparents who backed my parents to ensure that we have enough food and good educations.
But today, we rarely see families having more than 2 children. Probably raising children this age is too expensive and tedious that many people opt for small families. Do you feel that having many children is a blessing and a joy?
10 people like this
48 responses
@Archie0 (5652)
•
1 Oct 09
hello zandi
i think yes having our own children is truly a blessing in itself, because it is something considered as blessings we just dont produce our being but we produce something that is a token of our love.Its something which we cherish throughout our life till we die and even after that.
@lengzki (125)
• United States
1 Oct 09
I guess nowadays only some have the capability to raise many children financially especially because of the crisis that's why people opt for small families. Having many children is a blessing and a joy if you can provide everything for your children otherwise if you'll have a big family and your kids will be starving then perhaps it's best to have a family planning.
@maygodblessu44 (7336)
• India
25 Oct 09
Hello my friend zandi458 Ji,
I always consider as a blessing and joy from Almighty. If i have a belief in HIM, it was because of HIS blessing only that you have many hands to support, listen to you. There are families in our country, where food for 169 members is cooked from single kitchen and all members live under one roof. There are many cases, where people have plenty of money and they starve for single child. They keep visiting and praying all religious places for want of a child. I do not get any proper suiting explanation for such things. i always think, what your last sentence denotes.
As per economist, more hands in the family and country, more production, more life, more food.
May God bless You and have a great time.
1 person likes this
@maygodblessu44 (7336)
• India
6 Dec 09
Hello my friend zandi458 Ji,
So nice of you for your favourable comments. Your comments are worth considering. It is head of the family who has to take everybody together in a big family, may be by sacrificing personel interest or selfish moto to gain small benifits.
May God bless YOu and have a great time.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
1 Oct 09
Hi zands,
I f we look into this scenario from the ever increasing population I would say a 'NO'. 10 is a big number and if all start believing that children are god's gift who would deprive himself the God's gift. Seeing this from practical perspective I would put that before going to build up a volley ball or football or Cricket team one needs to see how deep is his boat is sailing. If it is ok that there is still room and some more mouth could be fed there should not be a big deal about this but remember this adventure is not to be undertaken by one and all. Or else it would be like China and India.
we are three and never felt that I needed a couple of more bro and sis. And now I have one, I mean one child. Offering sajda to God he permitted one more. lol.
And after that even if he comes with a couple of more I would say no.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
1 Oct 09
In today's standard 10 is too many and it is no easy task raising that many children not only in the aspect of finance but individual attention. Nowadays there are so many ways to stop the growth of population and I think Singapore have forced her citizens to limit to 2 children per couple. Unlike my place we are still under populated and still needs people to populate the vast land. Children are like our investment. Don't you see the need to have few children to help you when you grow old one day?
@Ingkingderders (3832)
• Philippines
2 Oct 09
well, I think it really depends. You were lucky cause you have well to do grandparents.. but what about those who don't have anyone to help them. Though I think, a lot of successful people have come from poor families, it made them realize that they want something more and they work hard for it.. but sometimes, it's painful to see children who don't have anything to eat cause their parents doesn't earn enough to feed all of them...
i just wish that sometimes, the parents would learn how to family plan, and would think about the consequences their actions will do to their future children. 
@Ingkingderders (3832)
• Philippines
11 Oct 09
Yep.. that's usually the case, but we are not generalizing all of them.. some people who comes from rich families, end up being successful and kind hearted, those are the people who really have everything. the money and the heart. People should always strive for both. not only rich people but I think this really applies to everyone. 
1 person likes this
@gracefuldove (1668)
• Malaysia
1 Oct 09
Yes, every child is a hope. The more children you have, the more hopes. However, the more children you have also brings more problems. If you manage them well, they will be assets. So, be good parents and do your job well.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
1 Oct 09
Raj, children are products of love and regardless how they turn out to be, normal or handicap, they are special to us. Not all handicap children are hopeless. God has created them for a reason. Their mere presence in our lives bring a lot of joy to our hearts.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
1 Oct 09
Hi,
As you said more children, if managed well are assets. But what guarantee is there that even after looking after equally well all would be assets? This is a hypothetical condition. Possibilities are there that one or two are handicap since their birth or deaf and dumb. What would be the charm of having more children then? would they still be assets. My philosophy is have a few but have them all sound.
1 person likes this
@riyasam (16556)
• India
29 Oct 09
Not only are children a blessing from God, there is so very much that goes along with that. They are a unique gift. The most missed thing that I see in today's society dealing with are children is that,truth be told, they are a reflection of their parents. Lots of people will not make this statement about their children when they get into their teens, however if you take notice you will find this to be true.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
1 Oct 09
Well I am one of 3 and the oldest and my sister is just 4 years older than my daughter.
My hubby was one of nineand the baby lol but his fanily had a farm so the kids worked inthe feilds.
as most farmers did back then was to have more kids to help with the farming now alot of teh farms have gone adn differnt types of livinghas come to play most now just have a couple of kids
I had 5 and then put a stop to it I didnt need to replunish the earth with kids!
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
15 Oct 09
It could be either a blessing or a joy depending on if the parents have the time to spend with their children as well as the means to care for them. If they can then by all means, it's a huge blessing however, if they can't then no, it's not a blessing at all but a huge burden. A thoughtless one at that. I'm glad you grew up in a happy large family. That's what I truly call a Big Happy Family! lol
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
2 Nov 09
I agree with you on the economic situation of the family will find having many children is a blessing as they have the means to give them proper food and education. It won't be the same for those who are not economically sufficient to have a football team of kids.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
1 Oct 09
I think u are very blessed to be of such a large family. I always wished for more siblings but it wasn't meant to be. I would have loved to have had more children myself but that wasn't meant to be either.U are very forunate Zandi & the good thing is that u realize this. I'm so glad for u.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
1 Oct 09
U are very lucky indeed that they did that for u. Iam sorry about your mud & hope it dries up & goes away soon. TAKE CARE.
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
1 Oct 09
Certainly children are always a joyful gift. I have only one child; I would have liked at least two more but it wasn’t meant to be for me and I am blessed to have the beautiful daughter that I have.
I believe that God sends a lot of children to the special people whose calling it is to care for a big brood and have the patience and the means to take good care of them. When I say means I am not just talking about money but the special gifts required to care for a big family.
I can see so clearly now that I am older why He only sent me one baby! (LOL)
It is true that a lot of people do choose smaller families these days and their reasons are usually financial. Some may say that they are selfish but, in my opinion, having a lot of little bundles to look after is something that you should do only if your heart is one hundred and ten percent into it and you are willing to make the necessary sacrifices otherwise it really would be selfish.
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
2 Oct 09
That is lovely that you were able to adopt. We tried to do that but we could only adopt overseas and the money required was way too much for us. It is unfair because although we are not rich we could certainly provide a much better life for a poor orphan child left to live in an orphanage. It is really unjust that it has to cost so many thousands of dollars just to be approved!
1 person likes this
@mastredawn (95)
• Trinidad And Tobago
16 Oct 09
I think it is a blessing, cause things happen for reasons. Its all a part of life, at times it may be tough having a lot of children, but if u lose just one of dem, a part of you will be gone, and that sadness can't be replaced. So it is a blessing, a blessing with a purpose
1 person likes this
@eLsMarie (4345)
• Philippines
15 Oct 09
Filipinos considered children as blessings, assets, and a way to cement the wife and the husband's relationship but that was very much common in the old days. now, people tend to be more Westernize. since most of us were educated, we became open of the fact that family planning is a great help in order to lessen the increase in birth rate though it wasn't approved in the Catholic church. life would be much better if couples should produce a number of babies that are enough to be given a brighter future.
1 person likes this
@ShirleyBillingsley (1544)
• United States
2 Oct 09
Actually, according to the Bible, many children are a great blessing.
@dorisday1971 (5657)
• Philippines
3 Oct 09
If it happened to me (to two of my married siblings who don't have children), I would consider it a blessing.
You see, it took me almost four years to conceive and had my first and only daughter at age 35. I'm now 38 and my husband is in another country, I don't think I will be blessed with another child. How I wished to have many children but I only have one. If one child is already a blessing to me, how much more if I was given many. I could not understand many women who kill the fetus in their womb when it's supposed to be a blessing.
@suzzy3 (8341)
•
2 Oct 09
Having a lot of children is a blessing if you can afford to keep them.I admire all the big families and the mothers who give birth.I know some cultures will have many girls and eventually get a boy ,other culture beleave the more kids they have the better they will be looked after in their old age. A survival tactic.The world is such a crowded place we would not have enough room if every family had loads of kids.There is not enough food at the moment.It also depends on what part of the world you live in and what your life expectations are in this modern world.I have been lucky enough to have three children who I love and tresure I did not have them to look after me in my old age as that is a bit selfish in my eyes,they must look after themselves and their families first ,I still see them and look after the grandchildren so my daughter can work.I suppose one day she will look after me but we have made financial provision so hopefully she can lead a life without being weighed down by me,I have two sons one still lives at home and will continue to do so for a few years yet untill he has finished his education and the way things are going for a few years after that.I am not saying that others are wrong we are different in this country as we have a wonderful welfare service mind you we have to pay a lot of taxes for it,but on the whole everyone gets looked after.
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
12 Oct 09
It is always good to be self reliant and not to depend on our children to fend for us when we are old though as children they would want to care for their parents who have given them life. It all depends on the situation on that material time.
1 person likes this
@May2k8 (18391)
• Indonesia
10 Oct 09
earlier times there was no such thing as family planning, but now only allowed a maximum of 3. Now the price more expensive and more difficult life, yes I also think they are blessed. Despite the difficult circumstances they are still struggling to stay alive.
@xannebull (1793)
• Philippines
6 Oct 09
children are blessings to us . if our family can afford of having lots of children, then it would be good, but if we can't afford of raising lots of children then a husband and wife must plan on little number of children only.
