21 kids and counting: How many is too many when it comes to children?

[JeanClaudeVanMam]

Astounded watching this last night! I'd love more kids - but 21?! Imagine the noise!

www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/mum-21-counting-brood-reveals-15630245

I think surely it has to depend on the individual family how many is right.

I have an only, which is right for me, but given that the UK birthrate is below replacement rate, I don't think the small number of people who want them should be put off having large families for environmental reasons.

2 would definitely be my max! I wouldn't like to struggle financially either, and children are expensive!

I think that they are incredibly calm parents. I have 2 and am at times not very calm. DH would like 2 more, but I really don't think that I could keep my sanity and have 2 more. Plus there is all the catch up with trying to get back into work, in a field that I like. I think that you have to have a personality that fits having lots of kids. My DSis wants to have lots but has admitted recently that her personality (A&E doctor, very precise, impatient, at times controlling- her words not mine) means that 1 might be where she stays as there is more control over one than the madness that she sometimes sees unfolding at ours.

Anything between one and three is enough for most sane people. I have two and I could imagine having the time and energy for maybe one more, but certainly no more than that. I don't have the patience and as for the cost and time involved - it doesn't bear thinking about. I know several people who have four and one that has five, but they've got quite big gaps and lots of help around.

I have 4, but I agree it feels too much at times, but that’s likely due to the additional needs two of ours have. If they were all neurotypical I’d happily have two more - that would be my total limit, and we’d only do that because we started very young, and if we waited 5 years to have 2 more our eldest two will be adults.
Clothes, food, cleaning etc are fine. Juggling clubs can be a challenge but doable, easier now the older two are able to stay home alone for an hour or so.

No children are ever responsible for others in our family and they never will be, it’s something I thoroughly disagree with.

Me and DH chose not to have any, mainly because of overpopulation and what the future will probably hold.

Personally I feel any more than 2 is too many. I really can't get my head round families like the Radfords. It is so selfish to have so many children and really rather stupid. It's a good job we don't all decide to have that many

I one of six, we all have one or two dc though one sis had a third pg that wasn’t planned. I think that explains everything.

For us financially it was 2.

We would really struggle to be able to provide the extras like ballet lessons and swimming lessons obviously they are not essentials but the kids enjoyed them. We have a holiday abroad every year plus another in the U.K. - again not essential but we (the adults) really appreciate this. Again adding another child or two on would not be possible.

Also giving them time - as the kids get older I find they actually need you so much more emotionally I can't see how you would be able to give them that support if you had 21 children all at different stages.