From the article: Top 10 Zippy Answers to Snippy Questions About a Large Family
Big family. Small family. Only child. Everyone has an opinion on the ideal family size. But what happens when people start sharing their opinion with you? Share Your Response
In The Closet
- I don't yet have a large family, but I hope to have lots of kids someday! For me, this means 3 or 4 kids, but in my circles, any more than 2 is just considered a HUGE family! Because I only have one to date, it's like being in the closet, where people say bad stuff about large families and the parents who build them, but have no idea that I am one of "those people" myself. In general, I just try to be honest. I tell people that I just really love kids and I always knew, no matter what, that I wanted to be a mom. It's my favorite role in my life. That people don't just have a lot of kids because they're full of themselves and want to see little replicas. Some people have large families because parenting is what they love and what they're good at. How wonderful when it works out that way! Also, nobody is asking YOU to have lots of kids. I am all in favor of people choosing their own family composition, be it zero kids or many.
- —Guest KateC
Depends on how they ask...
- It depends on how they talk to me...if they are honestly curious, I honestly tell them that I love being pregnant, I love babies and I love kids (and my husband loves all of this two, except he loves ME being pregnant!) But then there are the know-it-alls who think that we can't afford the kids we have let alone more. Most often we hear about providing the extras, not necessarily the necessities (i.e.n Christmas/Birthday presents, a car at 16, the BEST college education, etc.) which yes, I would love to give my children all of that and more, but are they going to not thrive without all of that? I try to calmly (though most of the time I get defensive) and explain that my children will have everything they need and most importantly they will have learned that it is best to work for what you have than to have it given to you. The values and morals I instill in my children are the best gift I can give them.
- —Guest Jess
