Does having thirteen children a little bit too much?

Question

I know a couple that have thirteen children. Most of them are not even in their teens yet. I was pondering,since their middle aged(their in their 40's now) and most of the kids are like toddlers and stuff; are they to old to raise that many rugrats?

Answer 1

I believe that people should not have more children than they are able to care for. So if these people are able to meet the needs of their family then far be it from me to tell them how many babies to have. In past generations large families were common and the older children helped care for the younger children. Each member of the family helped with working the farm or whatever the family trade happened to be. In modern America we have been more financially and education-driven. This means that having lots of babies usually decreases the opportunities for social and economic advancement. Most families cannot afford for one parent to stay home with the children, therefore the cost of child care also becomes a huge factor. But in the end, each family has it's own dynamics and noone else can really say how many children is "too many", as long as the children are properly cared for.

Answer 2

About a year ago, there was a woman in my class that started the semester pregnant with her 13th kid. She was 39, actually looked younger than me (I normally look young for my age and I'm 34), started having kids when she was 22 (there was one set of twins in there), had the baby over Easter break and was back in class the following week. Her goal since she was a little kid was to have 14 children. I think what helps with having so many is that you get to the point where the older ones are able to help out some with the younger ones. And of course, this woman's husband seemed to have a rather well-paying job.

Answer 3

Interesting question you pose...
It reminds me of the show I watched about the family that is on their what, 17th child and counting.
As a parent of two, they have my head spinning, yet they are so much better put together and organized...even home schooling.
Then I think of Andrea Yates...and the other mothers that ended up suffering and subcombing to mental illness that costs their childrens sweet lives.
I definately believe if its for the right reasons, and mentally and financially, you can afford to feed and care for them, YES...it is a blessing and well worth the rewards.
In their 40s is nothing now and days. Given the fact we could all die tomorrow, why would one NOT raise a healthy full family?
I love my brothers and sister and of 5 kids, I would have loved more...especially now that we are all grown up, what appreciation I have to my parents!

Answer 4

seems to me that families (i have seen) with a large number of children get along far better than my family (3 boys).
I am always amazed too at how these parents never seem to stress about anything....the children are respectful...which in this day and age really says something......i personally couldn't handle that many kids......they would need to put me in the nut house....lol

and as for them being in their 40's ...... SO WHAT?! you can be a good parent at any age......younger parents do not make better parents all of the time............think about this ....alot of YOUNGER parents still spend their weekends at the bar or out with friends....not saying that it's wrong for parents to have time away....i'm talking about the ones who spend ALL there time away from their children.....at least these are parents who KNOW WHAT THEY WANT......they don't have children just because " oh! babies are soooo cute" "i'll have someone to love me" ( this was my baby sister when she had her son @ 16)


all i'm saying is that these people aren't being irresponsible....it takes more than youth and lots of money to raise a family......

Answer 5

Half of me tells me it is natural and a private thing and so it is OK. The other half of me... well.... I would NOT like to have my wife constantly pregnant. I am not kidding when I say that there ought to be a law allowing more then one wife... only that way a large number of children would make sense to me. THIRTEEN children is insane !! I have two... and can't imagine the trouble and expense of 13 !! But as I said, it is not the cost or trouble. It is the thing of seeing your loving wife constantly pregnant.

Answer 6

If they can do it, and do it well, then, hey, good for them.

For me, it's important as a mother to be active with my child (children, one on the way! :D) and when baby number 2 is born, to have individual time with each child. With 13 children, that seems pretty much impossible to do.

But that's just me, everyone has their own values and reasons. So if their kids are well behaved and well rounded, and they can still manage, great! It's just, not for me.

Answer 7

Children are a blessing and if they can afford to take care of them why not. Having 13 kids is not too much if the parents are physically, emotionally and financially able to take of them all.

I agree with above statements...Its really their business!

Answer 8

To each their own. Even if they only lived to be 60, all the kids would be over the age of 20, so..... I say, as long as you can afford the kids, why not have as many as you want?

Answer 9

I think that as long as they are healthy and can take care of all of thier children then what difference does it make? 40 is not old by any means...some people are having kids well into their 60's!

Answer 10

Yeah, when you are 40 you have one foot in the grave.

NOT. I have a toddler and I'm in my 40's, if the kids are happy and well cared for I guess it's nobodie's business but theirs.