Ladies (or gents) with 4 or more kiddies...

How hard is it really?

I would LOVE 4 kids, and I've finally got dh on the same page with this.

What are your biggest joys/concerns as a mother/father of 4 or more kids?

TIA!!!

ETA: In order to keep this in NFR (durr on my part), if you can take a financial spin on this, in addition to any other comments you may have, I'd appreciate it!

Message edited 1/10/2009 3:11:05 PM.

Re: Ladies (or gents) with 4 or more kiddies...

I wanted 4 until I just had my 3rd

Re: Ladies (or gents) with 4 or more kiddies...

Goind from 1 to 2 is hardish...going from 2 to 3 is HARD...Adding more from that point is a cake walk...

I dont know how to put it better than that....

Re: Ladies (or gents) with 4 or more kiddies...

Re: Ladies (or gents) with 4 or more kiddies...

Re: Ladies (or gents) with 4 or more kiddies...

I want 4 but my 3 have me insane enough I just don't think 4 is in the cards

Re: Ladies (or gents) with 4 or more kiddies...

i became a stepmother of 4 when i married dh so i can't tell you from the very beginning how it is but i can tell you, driving with them is INSANE!!!! we have an extended trailblazer with tvs going and videogames going and coolers being opened..its quite a trip no matter if we're going down the road or cross country..lol i wouldn't change a thing. they all have their own personalities and the always have someone to play with. just do it!!!

Re: Ladies (or gents) with 4 or more kiddies...

After a certain amount it's just a big party! I love my huge family

Re: Ladies (or gents) with 4 or more kiddies...

I currently have no children, but my parents have 5.

In terms of finances, my dad is a cop and my mom is a front end manager. Growing up, my dad worked a lot - lots of overtime to make extra money since 7 people in one family is a lot of mouths to feed.

In terms of family, I love coming from a big family. There is always something to do and people to hang out with.

As for taking care of that many kids, it does help to spread them out. My parents had 4 children in a 7 year time frame, which I am sure can be overwhelming at times. They then had my youngest sibling when I was 12, so I think by then it was a piece of cake (plus they had two babysitters with me and my sister being in our teens)

Re: Ladies (or gents) with 4 or more kiddies...

I have 4 children and find it - I won't say difficult - but exhausting . My daughter is 11. She's very independent and a piece of cake right now (except for the hormonal mood swings), but my boys (6, 7, and 8)exhaust me.

The expenses are insane. Boys scouts ( x 3 uniforms = $300), horseback riding for my daughter, soccer, baseball, softball -- even an outing to McDonald's will run me $20 for just the kids -- my husband and myself not included. My daughter is getting braces on Monday at $5,800, and I already know 2 out of the 3 boys will need them in a couple of years as well. Then there's glasses for my daughter, and right now 2 of my children need new hearing aids at about $6,000 per child - which doesn't normally occur for most people but never say never - you just don't know.

I'm also fortunate because thank God DH makes a decent salary which has allowed me to stay home. We're not rich, but we definitely make ends meet. I can't imagine going to work and then having to come home and take care of all that there is with 4 kids - there is just so much. The laundry is almost a full time job LOL.

And DH is also very helpful (usually). When they were babies he never though twice about changing a diaper or giving a bottle. And now that they are older, he does come home early when they have their sports to help shuffle around (and even coach), he will go to the grocery store if I need him to, and he cooks sometimes also.

One more thing -- I find it hard to find somebody to watch 4 kids so we really don't get a lot of time alone. My mom and his mom will babysit sometimes, but not very often.

All in all though, I wouldn't change a thing (well, I can't lol).

Message edited 1/11/2009 9:59:42 AM.

Re: Ladies (or gents) with 4 or more kiddies...

I don't have 4 I have 3 but I am so happy to see this post because I really have the itch for numero 4. Thanks for starting the thread

Re: Ladies (or gents) with 4 or more kiddies...

When you read the subject really quick it looks like 4 kidneys yeah, must teach myself to read slower.

Re: Ladies (or gents) with 4 or more kiddies...

My aunt and MIL both have 4 children. Both told me to stop at 2 While they love their families, they both said it was very hard to balance everyone's schedules- and the finances were nuts.


My MIL raised children for 30 years!! When DH turned 30, his youngest sister turned 18. When my youngest SIL turned 18, she said it was the first time in 30 years that she could make her life all about her. She lives in another country, so we only see her once a year.