https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 17 May 2026 09:51:01 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1488107 Tue, 11 Mar 2014 22:28:43 +0000 Fronkinzankinsbride 1488107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In theory we are one per uterus and done (that's 2 for those keeping track) but I'm open to changing my mind down the road because I have a feeling I will miss the baby stage and my wife is a couple years younger so she should have plenty of child bearing years left in her. :) Obviously we can't just let whatever happens happen we have to take an active role but we are also open to sibling groups in the future so you never know! I'm starting to think bigger is good because my kids won't have any cousins. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1487962 Tue, 11 Mar 2014 21:09:33 +0000 matador84 1487962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Right now we have 2 kids 17 months apart. I'm having a hard time coping with only having two! I would love a large family but DH is set on only 2. We would have to get new house and cars with more kids. I'd like 4 children but DH says no. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1487854 Tue, 11 Mar 2014 20:23:34 +0000 daniellemybelle 1487854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think 6 or more is a large family. I knew families with 4 &amp; 5 kids growing up though 3 seemed to be the most common number. I think they used birth control or some sort of family planning - I just think they wanted a bigger family.</p> <p>If money were no object and I were guaranteed a housekeeper &amp; a nanny, I'd have 4 or 5 because bigger families are a lot of fun. But doing it on our own, and having to think about college etc, I think we will be good with 2. Maaaybe 3 but I doubt it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1487824 Tue, 11 Mar 2014 20:09:19 +0000 rattles 1487824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We would at least like a bigger family. DH is one of four, and I'm one of five. My dad's one of ten. I LOVE having a larger family. As for paying for it, my dad always said that it's not as though the bill comes all at once :wink: I think there are sacrifices and trade offs if you have a large family, but for us, they're worth it. And who knows, maybe we won't even be able to have that many! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1438103 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 17:48:02 +0000 preggomeggo82 1438103@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think 3 is large! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1438045 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 17:34:35 +0000 pui 1438045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would like to have at least 4, maaaaybe 5. 5 is probably our limit though. If we were super wealthy maybe we'd do more than that. Of course, there are factors outside our control that affects that too. My DH and I just want to have a nice, big family. When we think about the future we just like the idea of having more kids rather than less. We also think we'll have no trouble supporting a large family financially since we sacrificed now for a very comfortable future. We both come from families of 3 kids. </p> <p>To me a large family is 4 or more kids, and over 7 is HUGE lol! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1438039 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 17:33:39 +0000 Penny Lane 1438039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I want a large family (like, at least 4) but we are on the "whatever will be, will be" train. Iwe both grew up with fairly large families (I have 3 siblings, he has 5). we always shared rooms, didn't often (ever) have big family vacations, and are expected to pay our own way through life. I have my college loans, DH paid his in full... we paid for our own wedding, saved for our own down payment etc. so I guess we come at parenting from a different financial perspective from the "norm" these days. we would love to be able to help our children as needed, but we won't limit our family size because of that, if that makes sense! obviously we don't want so many children that we can't feed them, but that's different! ;)</p> <p>like @Beyond2: I don't want to be having kids past around 35, so we're going to have to figure out some more permanent BC then! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1437951 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 17:08:26 +0000 pinkcupcake 1437951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To me, having more than 3 kids is a large family. Even 3 kids sounds like a lot. We probably won't have more than 2 just b/c we want to pay for our children's educations (college + grad school) in full, along w/weddings, down payment on home, etc. I don't think we could provide them with everything we want to if we had more than 2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1437923 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 16:59:58 +0000 Beyond2 1437923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We want a large family and don't plan on using any birth control beyond NFP. I'm not sure how many kids that will mean for us but I'm guessing at least 5 if not more. I'm not really interested in having kids past age 35 though so at that point we may consider someone permanent like vasectomy... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1437813 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 16:36:24 +0000 Mrs. Train 1437813@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: it is funny how where you live makes a difference how family size is judged. Here in Los Angeles people say I am crazy all the time. When we travel to Utah no one bats an eye at my four kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1437805 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 16:34:49 +0000 Mrs. Train 1437805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband is an only child and I have one sister. I never dreamed that I would have four. I would love to adopt again but my husband thinks I am crazy. So I think we are done. As far as finances go we know we won't be able to save enough to fully fund college but we are doing our best to save some and instill a good work ethic so they can pay their own way. We also don't do a ton of extravagant things like big expensive trips but we have a great time camping and road tripping. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1437703 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 16:16:13 +0000 cyndistar3 1437703@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have no set number of children we want to have, right now we are just leaving the number in God's hands and letting him work out the details. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1437523 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 15:49:18 +0000 jedeve 1437523@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: it would be a whole different ballgame if it was the norm in your culture and in that time and place. In some ways there would be less anxiety and internal conflict I think (also though less support if you took a different path). I think I would like being a housewife with 8 kids a lot more if I didn't have other options and everyone I knew was doing it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1437504 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 15:45:02 +0000 anonysquire 1437504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will never stop my body unless it becomes dangerous. But my body is slow at babies apparently. So I will also add with adoption. I joke around saying I will have 10 and then have 10 more... but it really isn't a joke anymore. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1437493 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 15:43:06 +0000 Sparkler 1437493@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Looch That's totally true! In some areas of the northeast I think large families are a bit of a status symbol (not that the kids aren't wanted or loved). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1437446 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 15:34:23 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1437446@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jedeve: I can tell that our whole family was very adherent Catholics for many generations. I've traced back to the 1700's on some lines and it's extremely consistent and impressive!</p> <p>When I was growing up in California people always used to comment on my "big" family. Now in my current state, people would say that 4 is average, I think. Here the motto is "start with 5 and then re-evaluate after that". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1437421 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 15:31:16 +0000 jedeve 1437421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: I think it's so funny how three seems big anymore! I came from a generation of Catholics where everyone had 8+ aunts and uncles. Now my kids will have fewer for sure. I'm wondering if my husband's family of 4 will seem huge to them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1437345 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 15:19:34 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1437345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been learning about my family history recently and it is so amazing to me how big the family size was up until my parents' generation. There were 4 kids in my family growing up, but that must have seemed small compared to my ancestors who frequently had 9-12 kids!</p> <p>My two is miniscule in comparison :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1436580 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 12:53:33 +0000 looch 1436580@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live in a pocket of the northeast where big families are actually really common. When we bought our car last year, the salesman remarked that they never sell the smaller cars because a lot of the familiies that come in need seating for at least 6 people. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1436474 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 12:30:23 +0000 lovehoneybee 1436474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're definitely not in this camp, but my brother/SIL are. They have 5 at the moment (the oldest is 13, the youngest is 16 months). They use NFP some of the time (when they want some space between kids) but they feel that if god will bless them will children he was also provide the means of caring for them. </p> <p>@Mrs. Pen: And they definitely live in a very rural area! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1436454 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 12:23:30 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1436454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Many people that I grew up knowing (partly through religious background and partly through homeschool background) come from large families and some that did, had parents that don't believe in using birth control. My mom and I have had many discussions about this because while she is fine with birth control, she thinks it's a wonderful thing for a family to not use it and say "whatever happens, happens" whereas I adopted a philosophy that it is borderline irresponsible if you cannot provide for the children feasibly. Most large families are very creative with money though and choose to live in more rural areas to save, and I can't say I know a large family that wasn't able to feed their kids...</p> <p>Anyhow, suffice it to say I am so thankful for all the birth control options women have and I utilize them. I am not sure if we'll be one and done, two and through or potentially more. But I do know that if we had been blessed financially (I mean very blessed) I would likely have 2-3 bio kids and adopt a sibling group. I would probably have 6-8 if money were no object at all whatsoever.</p> <p>I agree with the sentiment that large family gatherings are fun! I am one of 6 and I love our holidays. They are so special. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1436440 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 12:17:41 +0000 Arden 1436440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're in the "possibly one and done, but no way more than three" camp right now, but I've always admired the Duggars (the 19 kids and counting people). They have an awesome family and the kids are all happy, responsible people and they can afford it, so more power to them!</p> <p>That said - I worry about the effect so many back to back pregnancies has on a woman's body. It can't be good for someone to be perpetually pregnant or nursing. I know I couldn't handle it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1436415 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 12:12:50 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 1436415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH is 1 of 8, and I really love going to see his family because of the dynamics. But, only 3 of 8 are married and there are only 3 grandkids (26, 2, and 3 months) so I'm sure it's going to get a little crazier when the rest star getting married and having kids. </p> <p>I love it, but we will probably only have 3-4 kids, maaayyyybbee 5 if we are really enjoying it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1436328 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 11:50:01 +0000 Aimed 1436328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am from a catholic culture where large families (6+) were the norm when I was growing up. I come from a small family. although my mom would have loved more but it just didn't happen, but most of my friends were in huge families.<br /> It always was so much fun to go to their houses when we were young, there was always so much going on. However, now that I am older I can see the stresses that the parents were under and how in many cases the older children raised the younger kids and really had alot of responsibility placed on them at a young age.<br /> It can definitely work wonderfully for some families but I also have seen the parents with 'so many childen, they didn't know what to do' syndrome! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1436147 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 11:02:04 +0000 MaryM 1436147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My SIL is pregnant with her 8th right now (her oldest is 11, so they're super close in age) and they're having as many as God will allow. </p> <p>She's also very serene and just happy to be a great mom. Her kids are also super calm (i think because of her calmness). </p> <p>I wish I had the faith that she and my brother have. They've been amazing planners financially and my SIL is able to stay home with the kids. They're an amazing family and an amazing example for me to have as DH and I start trying to plan!</p> <p>She did tell me before we got married to take NFP BEFORE the wedding (which they didn't...and they immediately got pregnant) but I'm pretty sure she hasn't practiced it at all. She EBFs so the kids have been pretty naturally spaced. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1436134 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 10:59:25 +0000 Weagle 1436134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't think we'll ever be in the "as many as The Lord gives us" camp, just because it wouldn't be very wise for us. Thus far conceiving hasn't been terribly hard, and I don't think I can take the emotional toll of more than 4. Plus, the little years are hard. Hard emotionally, hard on a marriage, hard physically... I love babies, but I don't want to be in thus phase forever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1436128 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 10:58:27 +0000 septca 1436128@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CupQuakeWalk: I find families like that fascinating! One of the women I know through another internet board just had her 4th and plans to have any many "as God will allow," which she thinks will be 10-11 if she keeps getting KU as soon as she weans until she hits menopause. She is so serene about the whole things and is a *great* mom - I would probably be crazy. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1436094 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 10:50:33 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1436094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My best friend (hasn't started ttc yet) wants as many as her body will allow. I am excited for this, lol. I think it'll be fun to have that friend with 9 or 10 kids. Her and her husband are Catholic so she said this is the way they feel most comfortable with. She is NFP right now to avoid pregnancy only because she does not yet have a job in her field. They will never be rich, but I think they could swing it and I'm excited to see how it all plays out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1436089 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 10:47:51 +0000 snowjewelz 1436089@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's scary thing for us to just be like "we'll have as many God bless us with!" :shocked: Our respective families only have 2-3 children so I always felt that 2 is enough. I am not closed to having more though; but I think beyond 3 will need a lot of planning and a lot of faith! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-want-as-many-kids-as-you-can-haveare-blessed-with#post-1436045 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 10:32:24 +0000 sslm 1436045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always thought a large family would be awesome, but financially it just isn't in the cards for us. Our max is 3, mayyyyybe 4 if DH all of the sudden makes a ton of money. </p> <p>We both only have 1 sibling, my sister has 1 child already and will have max 2, and my SIL isn't even sure she wants any kids. It makes me sad that LO won't have a ton of cousins, so I feel like giving her a ton of siblings lol. </p>