moms of many, why did you have many?

[meowee]

I am a mom of many and I really don't know why I have had many, other than that I kept liking the last one so much, I thought, why not another one?

Maybe that's not the best reason?? The other big families I know, had "many" for religious reasons (i.e. no birth control).

Please share your reason!

[Willowrose]

We currently have 2 with one on the way. We aren't at the "many" level yet, but getting there and we definitely want a lot.
We do not believe in artificial birth control for one reason. However, we have wanted a large family since we got married. DH wants 7 or 8, I'd like 6.
I can't pinpoint any one particular reason that we want a large family. We enjoy our boys and love watchikng them grow. There is plenty of room in our hearts for many more.

[faythe]

For as long as I can remember I've always wanted a big family. There were 4 kids in my family, and many of my friends also had lots of siblings. We all had fun together and I want the same thing for my kids. I know it's no guarantee of future happiness/togetherness, my siblings and I haven't spoken in years. But it was fun growing up, it was nice to know there was always someone around to play with.

[midstreammama]

We have 3 daughters. I would love to have maybe one or two more. Dh, on the other hand, says he wants to stop. He is always worried about money.(He is the one that works)

I don't know, I can never get past the fact that I will never be pregnant again. I can never say that I was done having kids. They are all so great! They have so much fun together.

No real reason why I want so many..

Growing up, I never said I knew exactly how big a family I wanted.

Sorry, I'm rambling

[j924]

I am a mom to four. We used to refer to ourselves as birth control challenged. Now that the baby is almost two, I couldn't imagine it any other way. I love that there is always noise and commotion and half done projects and games to jump into. We are very rarely bored. Of course I know parents of onlies who can say the same thing!!!! So I guess my answer is we love the closeness and chaos that our tribe brings.

[~*max*~]

Hmmmmm, interesting question. I have 3, plus we are raising my dn, and we are thinking about having another. Ever since I was a child I always said I wanted 5 kids. I have always loved kids, was babysitting since age 12. Dh is really into having a big family too. In fact, I think he'd like to have even more than me. (I think I will be done after the next.)

So, I don't know the answer to your question, other than that we are a happy, loving family. We have a lot to offer our kids and they have a lot to offer us.

[Ravenmoon]

I don't have much family left anymore and wanted to create my own big family.I love the chaos and energy.Also birthing is so empowering and amazing

[wende]

Because I can't imagine having few.

Really, I adore my kids. I love being a mom. I love being pregnant. I'm actually very sad that I'm stopping at 5. With the last 2 being 7 and 8 weeks premature, I think my body is telling me to stop and I suppose I should listen. I really would like to have at least one more though, so dh said in a few years, when the babies are no longer babies, we can look into international adoption.

I just really like having my house full. I love the chaos, the noise, the laughter. There is nothing greater, in my mind, than watching my kids playing with each other loud as can be and laughing like crazy.

[meowee]

hey, that's neat that I'm not the only one who "just wanted" a big family. I always did want a big family, since I was a little kid. I even knew way back then that I wanted to homeschool. Sometimes I wonder what I was thinking... I do miss the privacy and quiet I used to have too much of... but those moments of doubt are brief.

[meowee]

wende... I just looked at your DS Aspen's picture and am still laughing my butt off... that has got to be one of the funniest pictures I've ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!

[chumani]

I am addicted to being pregnant, giving birth, breastfeeding, cloth diapering and watching each child discover the world. It is amazing how unique each child is. Their perspectives are never the same. My family used to laugh at me when I was a kid because I always said I wanted a dozen kids. I am almost half way there!

[lauraess]

Originally Posted by wende

I just really like having my house full. I love the chaos, the noise, the laughter. There is nothing greater, in my mind, than watching my kids playing with each other loud as can be and laughing like crazy.

... see, I had to read this thread since I never quite understood why people had so many kids. I mean, I LOVE the prego , nursing, and birthing part(tho, that last part doesnt love me) but the chaos, the noise?? You can take it!
J924 mentioned the half-finished projects.... That bugs me a lot and I couldnt stand to continue this way.... I mean, I've always wished I had what ever it was that made a parent-of-many but i just dont.
More power to you all tho
~L

[lilyka]

I have three so I don't count that as many. That isactually the very bottom acceptable number I would agree too. I would have liked to have had at least 3 more.

and for the record IMHO you don't have a lot of kids until you have more than 5 kids. as in too big for the mini van.

anyway why did I want them. I am not sure. I know I am against birthcontrol for spiritual and more practical reasons. I also feel that a pregnancy is somethingt oo big for me or my husband to decide. Only God should decide when and where to bring a life into being. and I do do love having babies around. and the better I get at this parenting gig the mor efun I have with the older ones. I just love it and my heart feels with happiness everytime i see a large family . I just want to go up and hug and kiss the mom :LOL.

[youngnhappymamma]

We are expecting our fith and plan on a few more. I have always wanted a ton of kids. When I was little I used to tell people I was going to have 20 (and I was serious). Then when I was an older teenager I widdled that down to 13. Now I feel like between 7 and 9 would be good....and I am even open to a few more. I have just always LOVED kids and have always felt in touch with kids. I am not the best mom in the world and have had tons of growing up to do since having kids, but I feel like I get better at it every year.
I also can't imagine what it will be like to eventually have my last pregnancy...last nursling...last co-sleeper....
We don't use birth control pills (for health and environmental reasons) but loosly follow the fertility awareness method. We have had a few "unplanned" pregnancys, but nothing that I didn't feel like was right for our family or that God wanted for our family.
I have to say, though, that the comments I get from people are ....well....odd. EVERYONE EVERWHERE always comments "are all these kids yours?" "you must be busy!" "bless your heart!".....I even had a lady at the YMCA ask me one time if I had brought my day care!! I don't feel offended by any comments (and sometimes it feels like a bit of support) but it does made me feel sort of isolated.....like I am just so terribly different for having so many kids....and this with only four! I wonder at the comments I will get after a few more! Of course by then I will have snappier, thought-provoking come-backs! :P

[lauraess]

I am just....In awe... and a little envious-- i must say.

~L

[cmb123]

Originally Posted by lauraess

I am just....In awe... and a little envious-- i must say.

~L

I don't know lauraess! I look at your siggie and think 2 dogs!!!! Eek!!! Totally beyond what I could handle! I only have 3 kids, but I'd take 2 more of them before I could handle 2 dogs!!!
I guess it's all relative! :LOL

[lauraess]

HA! CMB123> That's because the dogs are pretty quiet and even though the one came to us with separation anxiety that even doggie prozac didnt help ----- well, we love her and she's part of the family, ya know? It IS all relative but kids are definately more work! (IMO)
I grew up in a small family And am hyper-sensitive to noise so maybe that has something to do with it. Sometimes, tho-- I just want to be YOU GALs!
I love mamas and I love kids---- I fall to a blubbering goo-goo face whenever i see a cute little baby in the store -Well, I guess my yoga kids class will be filling some of that need eh?
~L

[newmommy]

Originally Posted by youngnhappymamma

but it does made me feel sort of isolated.....like I am just so terribly different for having so many kids

Although I am a Parent of an Only by choice, I can relate to this...

Only children are rare in our community, it's mostly families of 4.

When we have family and friends get togethers everyone ALWAYS ask DH and I "so, when are you having another" DH and I say "we are not" drinks are suspended in mid air, utensils stop clanking, conversations stop, the room goes silent and everyone stares :

It's unheard of in our community.

[Anglyn]

DS1 was an only for 11 years, and that was pretty standard. His cousin was an only, my bestfriend only had two cuz they came out twins, etc.

I wanted more, but it didnt seem meant to be. I remember thanksgiving growing up, the whole family there and for awhile my mom and I lived with my grandparents, at the same time they adopted my great aunts two kids (she was killed by a drunk driver), and my uncle moved home after his divorce with his three kids. So, that was four adults and six kids under one roof. And I loved it.

Anyway, fastforward to now. DH and I have two togather, total of three and we have dh's cousin living with us and are about to get his two younger siblings (CPS removal) so that will make six. Everyone thinks we are insane. Oh yeah, we want to have or adopt one more as well.

Chaos? In a way, but Ive found kids are LESS work when theres more of them (they play togather a lot). We also have five dogs, two cats, chickens, pigs, rabbits, a bird, a hampster and some fish. Oh, and my fil lives with us. THe five bedrooms we thought we'd never fill up now arent enough and we are planning to add on. Crazy. But I love it. When the three teenagers are gone, I'll want more kids, I know it.

[UUMom]

How much is many?

I only have 4, but i had these four and wanted more because i love all their different personalties. All the different stages they go through.

I *love* watching them unflold, and feel blessed to learn about their special interests and insights.

I stopped at 4, because dh was done. Since I love the guy, and he is a great father, i went along with it.

I love all the different ages, all the different awakeniings. I love how they are with each other. I love this big, funny, fun family. I love to watch my dh share stories from his life, i love sharing stories from my life. I love hearing the kids stories. I am endlessly fascinated. Which , I suspect, lol, makes me less interesting to adults doing 'important' things with their lives.

My youngest is losing teeth now and that is so tender. I can think of a special milestone that i am awaiting in each of thse four special lives. It's interesting --and I feel that it's a gift to be a witness to such growth. I just feel lucky that dh and I could have this.