Number of children in a family?

Question

If a family is financially and mentally stable...do you think having one more kid makes a big difference in quality of life//time/finances/etc...

I want to hear from experienced families...and people who grew up with a lot of siblings ONLY...

NO SILLY/STUPID COMMENTS PLEASE!

Sorry ---- I forgot to say I have 2 kids now-----so one more would be a total of 3...

Answer 1

How many children are we talking?

Obviously 2 kids makes a huge difference compared to 1, but 11 kids instead of 10 isn't going to make that much of a difference. It's all relative.

Answer 2

I was one of three children, plus I had 2 step siblings on each side. Sometimes it was hective with all those people in the house but I personally enjoyed having a large family.

I am almost 35 years old and I have 4 children that are ages 9, 7, 3 and 1m old. Adding another child into the family was a big change for us. We moved into a bigger home so we could comfortably fit everyone, had to buy basics (clothing, furniture etc. I have 3 boys and than my baby girl so we kind of had to start for scratch since we gave a lot away) and are just starting to get the hang of our new schedule and time management between 4 children instead of 3.
Mentally stable? I'd say I am about 90% of the time. Sometimes I lose my head because I'm trying to get too much done at one time or am sleep deprived but that comes with the deal. It's not a surprise. You learn to multitask A LOT with each child and figure out when to do certain things, teach your little ones how to do certain chores/tasks on their own, learn to budge your money a little better, figure out what you NEED and what you WANT etc. Life is very enjoyable, but there are sometimes I had to give up. I adore having 4 children and debated for a while whether or not to have a 4th one or not. If my daughter had been a boy...4 boys....hmmm...don't think I would be as stable lol.
Best Wishes =]

Answer 3

I am from an LDS family (mormon) and for the most part, LDS people have larger families. Two is considered small. I would say 4-6 being the norm. I personally, have two other siblings, and I always felt that there was something missing in 3. Like the previous person said, there was always two against one. I think 4 would have been better than say, 3. I have one son now, and I think we are focusing on having 4 (maybe adopting 1 or 2 out of that 4--there are so many kids in this world that need love!)

That being said, I think that if you cannot fiancially support them (even though you said you can) it would be irresponsible. Even if you have the money to feed and clothe them, it can be hard. I grew up next door to a famiy with 7 kids then, 11 kids now. They seemed happy enough, but that mother was run ragged. She was never home what with all the different sports teams/music lessons/school functions. And I think the kids suffered for that. Also, they never did anything fun together. Never went out to dinner, never travelled, Christmas was humble (not that Christmas can't be fun on no money at all--not what I am saying at all). I just mean that I think I would have felt lost there. Also, how do you save for college when you have 11 kids?

So, if you think that 3-5 kids is what you are looking at, I'd say go for it. There are far too few families that are excited to have all of their kids, and if you are going to love them. I don't think the number is much of a difference. But, if you are thinking like 7-10, I may think harder on that. Picture your life with no time at all, and make that choice.

It is only something you and your husband can decide, and I wouldn't dream of telling you what to do. Just thought I would give you some more information to consider.

Congrats on the 2 you have!

Answer 4

Well, I didn't grow up with alot of siblings. I had two brothers I lived with and then a half brother and step sister I did live with. But I will go by my own experience. I am 23 and have 4 boys. The more I have the difference it makes is less and less. Of course I have the formula if I don't nurse and daipers for 2 years if I don't use cloth but as for food and stuff 4 is no different than 3. Now going from 1 to 2 and then to 3 was the hardest all around. Finances, time, life in general, going from each of us having a child in our arms to now where do we put the new ones. Cars just got bigger so the more won't make a difference. Time is really the only one that continues. You then have to add another one to get ready to go, for bed, brush teeth, etc. mostly adding a new baby, taking care of. I will learn more as I go in life to answer a question like this. As my children get older and the more we add, if god has that plan for us. So I hope I helped, if you want to talk just IM me! Good luck if you are trying to pursue a large family!

Answer 5

I came from a family of 4 children and we were all very close in age. I myself have 5 girls that are currently 21, 18, 17, 15 & 12.

In both cases we were mentally stable. Financially, you could run into some difficultly depending on where you currently sit. I am very blessed to have only very little financial issues so adding more children didn't really have an effect in that case. It does though take up more time and you may find yourself a little more stressed out. It is a lot of fun though and I adore my children :)
Best Wishes

Answer 6

I am the oldest of 7 children, my mother and father had me and my brother, then they divorced and my mom had two more and my dads wife had three. I am glad I had a large family, it meant more people togther at holidays, more laughs, more pranks and just more fun. We struggled at times but my parents never let the kids see it. We were always happy and always content in our little house and lots of land and woods to play on.
I myself have given birth to three boys, i have a step daughter and two foster daughters. I am greatful for the large family, even though we were not all tied by blood we were tied by love. It has given me different perspectives on how every child is different and how to change my methods with each one to raise a happy child into a well rounded adult.
I have heard some say they are not going to have children until they are prepared. My response is "then you will never have children because you are never prepared no matter how much you try. "
Going from one to two kids, wasnt that much of a change for me. From two to four (got married for the second time and had a baby not long after that so there wasnt much time between gaining a daughter and having my third son) wasnt that much different either. As we took on the other two times got a little rough financialy, but i wouldnt change any of it for the world and would gladly take on more children that need homes.
Have children because you love them, because you want to have a family and leave a legacy behind of love and caring. Dont base it on affordability or space, a child grows with love and patiance, not money and a huge house.

Answer 7

I am one of five, the youngest three being half siblings. I don't know if it was due to the instability of their relationship or the stress of having financial problems when they were once stable, but my dad and step-mom have been divorced now for a while.
Meanwhile, I have three children of my own and we live off of one income. I would LOVE to have another child. But I have the same concern, especially with my family history.

I think it may make a difference depending on how many kids you have now. If you are going from one to two, yes it was a bit difficult. But going from two to three was easy.

Answer 8

I have 15 year old twins. I got divorced when they were 4 and always wanted more. Remarried 3 years ago and just had a baby girl 7 months ago and pregnant again and due in MArch,,,,,,,,,,,,
I am having this last one for my youngest - so that she has a sense of family and has someone to share her life with. I will be 40 this year and my parents are in their 70's and my oldest are 15..........so when we are gone hopefully she'll have a sibling close to her age that loves her.
No one can make these decisions for us. WE must decide on our own - but I will tell you that I can't live my life according to other's standards. When I tell people that we are having our 4th they ask me if I am done yet.........as if it's any of their business.
Maybe they are jealous that I followed my heart and didn't listen to fools.

Answer 9

I think that this decision depends on the time you have available now.... do u have time to equally share with each child? Are you and your partner in aggreance that you both want another child. Is there another aspiration like a career goal that you would like to accomplish b4 having another child? these are some important questions you have to ask yourself.... i think that it is key for the mother and father to be happy and furfill themselves as much as they can untill the only thing that can complete them is children. Just make sure you are ready and that you are aware of what things may bring stress to the family before you decide! i hope you are a happy couple and thus have a happy family.

Answer 10

anymore kids in a family is going to be a change in finances but if you really want to add another member finances shouldn't matter unless you really don't have any i am the oldest of 6 kids i had 2 sis's and 3 brothers and my mom didn't really have the financial stability we needed but we were fine i have 2 kids and i'm pregnant with my 3rd