How many children is too many?
By SilPhil
@SilPhil (267)
Australia
February 24, 2007 9:53pm CST
I was reading an article in the paper yesterday about this woman who has 12 kids. Thats right, 12. And they all have the same parents.
I had always thought I only wanted 2 kids, but now I've had one, I can't wait to have more and have a houseful. I'm thinking 3, maybe 4 would be a good number.
How many kids do you have? How many do you want?
1 person likes this
11 responses
@zenmachado (1617)
• United States
25 Feb 07
I think that anything above 6 children is more than any two people can handle.. Regardless of how early you begin. The reason is that not only do you parent them for eighteen years, but if you are a good parent, you councel them for the remander of your life.. so keeping track of more than six lives, that would be too much.
1 person likes this
@eden32 (3973)
• United States
26 Feb 07
Why would 6 be too many people to be close to & involved with? Especially for a couple who remain together? Children all grow into their own personalities, even children raised by the same couple are all going to be individuals- some may be very outgoing and easily establish themselves as adults and some may stay close to (or even in) the home nest. But they will have partners of their own, children of their own, lives of their own at some point and your place in their lives will change (sad as that may be). As an only child, I am especially close to my mother but not everyone would want their mother as involved in their life as I wish mine to be. Further, if raised to love & care for each other- your children are going to bond amongst themselves and be in each other's lives as adults with older siblings likely looking out for & helping to guide younger siblings as they reach adulthood.
@hellsangelus (670)
• Oman
25 Feb 07
I dont have any but I think one would be more than enough for me to handle. My boyfriend still behaves like a kid himself so its like ive already had a kid for the past 6 years.
@Tamest (25)
• United States
25 Feb 07
I have two and I wanted 6 but it just wasn't in the cards. I feel lucky everyday that I have the two that I have. My parents had two also. But my grandparents on the other hand had many more. On my maternal side my grandparents had 4 and my great grandparents had 11. On my paternal side my grandparents had 7 and my great grandparents had 4. I really couldn't imagine living day in and day out with 12 kids although when I was 12 I babysat 12 kids at the same time, all between the ages of 7 and 6 months. Good way to make me not want to have kids until I was in my 20's.
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
25 Feb 07
I have 2 kids. My husband wants us to have a 3rd. If we do, that'll be the cut off point. 2-3 kids is more than enough for parents to handle. Just my opinion.
@eden32 (3973)
• United States
26 Feb 07
I have 3 children, DS 18, DD 13 and DS 4; and recently found out I am expecting :) I was an only child, and even when I was very little I knew I wanted a big family with "big"= 7 or more. I had my first very young, my second 4 years later and spent 10 years with my now ex, who didn't share my dreams of having a big family (or any other dreams for that matter!) Although my partner now also loves parenting & would welcome as many children as I wish to have, we're both a little bit on the older side of the parenting spectrum so #4 may be the last for us. And if that's the way it works out, I'll still feel blessed & quite content with my family's size. I think we are very likely to adopt or foster at some point too.
IMO all that really matters in deciding how many children you should have, is knowing where your priorities are and that you have the patience for a house full of children.
@Connie1013 (1098)
• United States
27 Feb 07
I have 4. I thought at one time that 4 is enough but now that my youngest is in first grade I miss all the little things. I wish I could have just one more.
@hotmetalfreeq (30)
• United States
5 Sep 07
I think someone has too many kids when they cant take care of them, or they dont give quality attention to all of them. And everyone is in a different situation. I know a stay at home dad with 6 kids. Too me thats alot, but he stays home with them. And they get all kinds of attention which is good. I think it greatly depends on your situation tho.
@nikkiwith (1074)
• Australia
5 Sep 07
I believe 12 is way too many. I think if you have more than 3 or 4 then you are not able to give them the individual love and attention that they need. I have 1 child and that is more than enough!
