I am a Marketing Director at the age of 26; also a father to "EIGHT KIDS", Why do I shock people?

Question

I have a rather large family for my age; but I can provide for them as I earn good money.

Whenever I am at general meeting and I get talking to women, when I tell them I have eight kids they seem to split out whatever is in their mouth. Would it shock you? I know I started a little too early but my wife was good with children so I got a lot of time to study.

Am I one of my kind or do you get people like me?

Answer 1

Good god give that woman some time to breath. I'm just kidding, if you can support them you can have 50 for all I care.

Answer 2

People these days have forgotten how almost 50 years ago, it was common to see family with 4 or more children. In the 1980's it was flooded on T.V. commericals "THE AMERICAN FAMILY AVERAGES ABOUT 2.2 CHILDREN." This was thanks to the wonderful recession and the inability for both parents to be home, and the rage over womens rights and their rebellion over "Mom's place is at home, barefoot and pregnant." So the coffee on the table reaction can be for the these reasons:

1.) They have 1-2 kids of their own and cant "handle" them due to the stress of work life/home life balance.
2.) Media has done a great job of drilling it into peoples heads that women should not be "trapped" at home watching children.
3.) Finances alone more than explains to you that a person that is on a 27-35k a year budget with 2 cars and a mortgage cannot afford more than that plus babysitting fees (daycare, whatever)
4.) Some people cant handle the thought that a woman just may really want to be a stay at home mom.
5.) Just a thought: Maybe that woman was attracted to you but the thought of stealing you and being "stuck" with 8 kids quickly turned them off...

so ya, theres a few things I think that others may think.

Answer 3

Personally, having eight children at any age shocks me in this day and age. I have two and cannot fathom having eight (or any number over 4). The worry over my kids, if it didn't kill me, would at least send me to a mental institution. I raise my kids to my best ability and try to instill values, but when it comes down to it, it is a scary world out there and you cannot control everyone and everything. Kudos to you for knowing what you want, acheiving it, and having the emotional and financial means to support it. There are others out there, but the vast majority of people will still be shocked. If you are happy with your life, what is the big deal about what others think?

Answer 4

Yeah it's a little shocking to hear you are 26 with 8 children....most people don't even start having kids until they are in their 30's now-a-days. I am 23 and have 0....I am also trying to get to a point in my life where I don't have to worry about taking care of my kids because money is too tight. I believe in giving my kids the best and you are lucky to have that at your age. I'd say you truely are a one of a kind. It's hard enough trying to get someone to want just one now days. Good luck.

Answer 5

As long as you and your wife are happy and can provide for your children I don't see why this is so shocking. Having a large family has it's benefits as well and there are plenty of people who are the same age as you who have a lot of children as well. I say good luck to you and the next time someone spits something at you I would suggest that you duck. It's like avoiding that stream of wee when you are changing a baby boys nappy.

Answer 6

I have a friend that is a lot like you. They couldnt concieve at first and so they started fostering and then adopting, they adopted 4 in all and then had 2 of their own. They are early 30's but they have been together since she was 18 and they are so happy.

Good for you. Just because you are young doesnt mean you are not a responsibble parent. I think kids love young parents.

Good luck to you and your family.

Answer 7

You are one of a kind. There are very few 26 year olds today with 8 children.

Just make sure that you give all of your children love and attention. It is very difficult to make sure that eight children get all of the love and attention that they need to grow up to be healthy adults.

It is great to hear that you managed to have so many children and yet still get a great job. That is wonderful. You should consider providing lectures to young people who have children. You could teach them how they can succeed even with children in tow.

Take care,
Troy

Answer 8

You are one of a kind. People now realize what it costs to raise a family. With 8 kids, we all know that you won't be paying for their college, any extra curricular activites like soccer where it is costly for the parents, etc. I think it is wonderful if you can afford to care for 8 kids. The shock begins when people hear it because right away they are thinking that you are getting food stamps and we all know that you DON'T pay any income taxes so in essense we are subsidizing your choice for a large family because the rest of us have to pay taxes.

Answer 9

I think most women nowadays cannot imagine having 8 kids at all. Never mind at the age 26. Most people have 1 to 3 kids and most of them dont have them by the age of 26 any more.
I think that is what is shocking for most people. I hope they are not judging you cause they would be bad poeple.

Answer 10

Having eight children in this day and age is unusual, that's why people react the way they do.

I personally love large families however, most people cannot afford them.

I don't know if you're one of a kind but, you are a rarity.

Answer 11

I would be shock as well. You have to understand in this Century many people dont even think of marriage let along having kids, so yes, it is shocking, and yes, I think you are one of your kind.

This does not mean though is bad to have so many kids, it was your decision to start a family earlier than others, good for you! you will get to enjoy the best of your kids but the most important you probably also have lots of energy for them, something not to many parents have with their kids.