How many kids is too many to have?

[andbabymakes4]

I am no stranger to large families I am the oldest of 9! I always wondered what my mom was thinking bringing so many kids into the world. I remember growing up and feeling frustrated, I had longed for a quiet and slower pace then what I was being raised in.
When I started my own family I knew I would have way fewer kids and even have them spaced years apart. I don't miss the hustle and bustle of "big" family life but I do love everyone of my brothers and sisters! So, in everyone's opinion how many kids is too many to have nowadays?

[Newmom!]

As long as you have the means to support your children and have the "right" personality to enjoy so many children, I don't think there is any set number. Too many is more than you can afford or more than what you can be happy with.

On the other hand, I strongly believe in spacing out your children somewhat (at least when planning, surprises to happen). Breastfeeding at least a year, preferably two, is harder to do if the pregnancies are too close together. Even if you formula feed, your own body still needs some recoup time - especially if you are planning to have lots of little ones.

And for those who have lots of children because they "don't believe in birth control" there are still non-hormonal, and non-material ways of spacing pregnancies (the basal body temperature method is the most common) I would hope that helping to increase the odds of having healthy children by spacing out pregnancies would outweigh having a large family.

I used to tell people I plan to have "10-20" - mostly meaning I wanted a larger family. But, after having my first, I realize I want a smaller family, just don't have the energy I had in my 20's - for me any more than 3-4 would be too many, but that is just me :-)

[supermomwannabe]

If it were up to me I'd have 5 or 6! But my husband is perfectly fine with just 2.

[MaryAlbright]

More than you can adequately support and take care of.

Me personally, I'm happy with my two children. I would be fine with having another one, but I think four is more than I could handle!

[Roxy377]

It depends on you possibility to make you children's life happy, to get everything they need - things, education, your attention, love.
It is good to have children in general, but every family is a special case to decide how many children to have.
And this issue shouldn't be egoistic, as first you should think about your kids.
I am quiet sure about one thing that child needs to have a sibling to learn comunnicate and to be more adaptive in the life and in grown up life to have support.
I have sister and brother. But my husband is the only child and he really suffers of sibling absense. and it is a pitty....
And if you are ok with 5 children, why not.... but these 5 should be really loved and feel that you gave them all the best!

[FourMiles]

I think enaught children is two. I have just one yet. In the future I would like to take one more child from children's home.

[joeysmom0419]

I think it really depends on the family itself. I have two sisters, but my mom miscarried a lot, but if she didn't miscarry there would of been 12 including me. I thought was awesome when I was younger, but growing up that started to fade in excitement because my parents could barely afford three. I think if you can afford to have a large family and you want one then go for it.

A great example of a couple who is happy having a big family is the dugers on tlc. They now have 19 kids and they are happy. They know having a large family is a lot but they couldn't be happier. They give each of their children as much love as possible, and they tell you its hard to give each child their individual time, but they try to make it work any way possible.

Personally I want 5 kids. I have a lot of patience and a huge heart, but the real question is can my boyfriend and I afford 5?

[nakaelee]

My fiancé is the last of 12 and his dad has about 15 brothers and sisters. Too many for me but I think. If u have the money, time, and patience for that many then go for it!

[craftyashley]

Three kids are kicking my butt! I couldn't imagine having more. I am one of two kids. Two was a little frustrating, we fought A LOT as kids. My husband comes from a large family. He is good with three. Like we realized last night, our kids will never have to wear hand me down clothes. (the bane of my husband's existence)

I think as long as you can adequately support your kids, financially and emotionally- then have as many as you want. Just make sure you are happy too! A stressed out mommy does no one any good!

[Prica]

My husband and I want 5 maybe 6. Personally for my husband and I having more then that is too much for us, financially and emotionally. I want to be able to spend time individually with my children every day and as I am planning on homeschooling I will be able to do so with 5 to 6 children. But I don't think we will go beyond that.
However I have a friend who plans on having 10, yes her husband is in full agreement, I believe they can do it. They have the right personalities for it. I think it should depend on each couples financial and emotional capabilities.
I have known many large families, 10 children, 12 children, 8 children, 13 children, 15 children (the last two are friends of friends not personal aquaintences). It just depends on the parents.