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Original poster

what assumptions would you make about a family with four to six children?

676 replies

ChelseeDagger · 16/03/2021 11:15

Not wanting to start a bun fight or being goady in the slightest. Just looking for honest opinions, whether they be positive, negative or neutral.

OP posts:
DaisyWaldron · 16/03/2021 11:33

That the parents enjoy having lots of children around. I know a few families with a lot of children, and they are all very different from each other, but I think that's the main thing they have in common.

Devlesko · 16/03/2021 11:33

None.
We have large families in our culture, so up to 12 is normal.
We had 3, that's considered a small family.

OverTheRubicon · 16/03/2021 11:35

@EssentialHummus

Religious, very wealthy or very poor.
Exactly this. I know lots of 3 child families, but 4 usually means loaded, on benefits, or very committed to a particular ethos, the few I know it's religion or homeschooling or both.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families
womaninatightspot · 16/03/2021 11:36

I have four, I'm from afamily of 3 and so was exDH . No. 3 turned out to be twins. I was the playground example for those contemplating a 3rd for many years!

ApieceofSky · 16/03/2021 11:37

I have 6, might have more not sure atm
Not religious or rich

TinaYouFatLard · 16/03/2021 11:37

Just, why? For whose benefit did you decide to have so many?

Also, it is perfectly possible to love children and parenting so much that you want to focus your time and resources into fewer children.

Onedropbeat · 16/03/2021 11:38

I’d assume they were very wealthy to afford to have the maternity leave, clothes, space at home and all the food it takes to feed them

Tatum1234 · 16/03/2021 11:39

I have four of the same sex. Everyone assumes I was trying to have the opposite each time.

jessstan2 · 16/03/2021 11:39

I wouldn't make any assumptions about a family with four to six children, any more than I would about someone with just one or no children. Why would I?

I've known some people with bigger than average families and they weren't much different to anyone else. Obviously they had bigger houses than most and more expense but they seemed to manage OK and were happy.

BlackeyedSusan · 16/03/2021 11:39

depends.

large family all boys last one girl... one wonders whether they were trying for a girl, or just wanted large family. (and vice versa)

have no sympathy for those who winge constantly about having a large family when they chose it. (maybe this is one person that are annoying anyway) (not the same as those who are finding it hard but acknowledge that the kids are worth it, they chose it... )

perhaps thinking they were not thinking of the environment

there is a sort of sterotype of large family for the benefits and the kids must not be very well behaved... also the large family due to religion and poor children living a restricted life.... I think society thinks of it as a negative. I think how I feel is more to do with the parent/behaviour of the kids, or more about the reactions of the parent to the behaviour of the children. interestingly, some parents get a free pass and sympathy when their kid is a nightmare and some parents are judged for behaviour that is less bad.

frazzledasarock · 16/03/2021 11:39

I really wouldn't give it any thought

Shelovesamystery · 16/03/2021 11:39

That the parents are either very brave or very clueless about contraception 😂

Also that the parents must be exhausted (if the children are still young).

AyyMacarena · 16/03/2021 11:39

That they must really like kids... nothing more or less. If they had ten, I think I'd throw a blasphemy at the beginning and/or end of the sentence.

I would love 4 kids but I don't have the space, time or inclination. I think I'd self combust in a fury of not being listened to. I have one. It's all I can handle. She is an angel.

lydia2021 · 16/03/2021 11:40

I would think they must love kids to have this many. I would have loved to have a large family of kids. Always someone for them to play with, learning how to socialise with others without leaving home. Someone for kids to talk to if they feel down about school etc. Theres a lot of pluses. You lucky woman.

ZednotZee · 16/03/2021 11:40

We have five.
We are Catholic but not particularly ardent in our practice.
The environment isn't a primary concern of mine, for various reasons which I don't think I will derail the thread by listing.
We aren't wealthy, nor poor and we both work full time.
We do love having a house full. I grew up as an only child due to my mum's health conditions and I was bloody miserable so it warms my heart to see my children have such close relationships with their siblings. Compared to their peers with less or Indeed no siblings, they have flourished during lockdown.

I'm surprised nobody has assumed my home is rather, ahem, lived in. They would be wholly correct Grin

Sammiesnake · 16/03/2021 11:40

Interesting that people are assuming wealthy - I’d assume the total opposite. The only families I know with 4+ kids are living in poverty, lack education and at least one parents has poor career prospects and would be better off on benefits than going back to work.

Woodyspecker · 16/03/2021 11:40

Following with interest. I have 4Grin

Crimeismymiddlename · 16/03/2021 11:41

I just feel sorry for the kids, it must be rotten having to compete for everything, the noise and the fact it is impossible to give an appropriate amount of time to each child.

Marmite27 · 16/03/2021 11:41

Big food bill.

FairyAtTheBottomOfTheGarden · 16/03/2021 11:42

That they must have way more energy and patience than I do!

Sammiesnake · 16/03/2021 11:42

Having said that, I wouldn’t judge anyone by the number of children they have - I would judge them as I found them. That’s just my experience to date of large families, I’m sure there are many reasons why people do.

BertieBotts · 16/03/2021 11:42

That their house was happy, noisy and chaotic!

That they had a lot of fun together.

That they have a big house/comfortable amount of money.

I know a couple of families with 4 and these things are all true for them. I'm envious but we're going to stop at 3.

Bythefire90 · 16/03/2021 11:43

That the poor parents are doing a crap load of washing, cooking and cleaning and no other judgments Grin! Mum of two here and only wish I could afford to have more.. if there’s love and they can live comfortably good on them Wink

Moondust001 · 16/03/2021 11:43

Why on earth would I even think about it? I have better things to do with my life.

thelegohooverer · 16/03/2021 11:43

That the parents are better at parenting that I am.
That, at least, all but the last born were probably good sleepers and the older ones don’t have SN.