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Original poster

What constitutes a “large family”?

195 replies

LucieMorningstar · 04/10/2018 18:50

Wondering what people believe constitutes a “large family”? More than 3 kids for example?

Just interested really as it’s something I hear a lot, but I’m not talking Radford family size!!

OP posts:
DC18 · 04/10/2018 22:23

I think 4 DC is quite a large family. As silly ad it sounds most cars have 5 seats so that's maybe where my logic stems from. I couldn't handle more than 3 max. Don't know how some mothers do it x

Nichelette · 04/10/2018 22:47

I'm one of four. Four seemed a lot to me as a child and still does as an adult!

firawla · 04/10/2018 23:28

I think 4 is the bigger side of “normal” and 5+ is a properly large family

I have 4, and was one of 4 growing up too.

ShesABelter · 04/10/2018 23:29

I'd say 5 plus. I don't think your is a big family.

ShesABelter · 04/10/2018 23:30

*four

OlennasWimple · 04/10/2018 23:33

4+ children

Ie the point at which you move past being able to have a normal car and into people carrier territory

DippyDiplodocus · 04/10/2018 23:35

My dad is one of nine children. Definitely a large family!

MemoryOfSleep · 05/10/2018 07:45

4 or more. One is small, two normal, three is larger than expected but not really remarkable, four is large, five or more is huge to my mind.

Cookit · 05/10/2018 07:49

1 = small
2 and 3 = average
4 and more = large

OrangeOrBlackcurrant · 05/10/2018 07:51

I have 4dc. I'm a single parent and we have very little immediate family (one grandparent) so we don't feel like a large family but to others we probably look like one.

pinkmagic1 · 05/10/2018 07:54

4 or more.

DappledThings · 05/10/2018 07:58

I think more than 2 is large!

BarbarianMum · 05/10/2018 07:58

4+ children

Flatasapancakenow · 05/10/2018 08:00

I think 4 or more nowadays.
You need to change cars, any holiday deals, family passes etc advertised tend to be for 2 adults + 2 children, very rarely you get a 2+3 and I don't see 2+4 and we are Northern Ireland where family sizes are bigger.

In my generation I know one family with 5 kids and 3 families with 4 kids, the vast majority of people I know have 3 or 2.
I think it's unfair to answer the question based on family sizes of previous generations, obviously the average number of children in the past was much higher. When I was a child most of my friends and family had 3 or 4 children and now 2 or 3 is the norm.

DieAntword · 05/10/2018 08:01

1-2 is small. 3-5 is medium sized. 6-8 is large. More than 8 is heroic.

LoniceraJaponica · 05/10/2018 08:04

“I have 11. Large.”

Why Aprilislonggone? Not judging at all, but I struggle to understand why someone would want so many children. Do you get any time to yourself? Has having so many affected you physically?

I think 4 or more is a lot (for me)

SweetheartNeckline · 05/10/2018 08:07

Round here 3 is fairly normal, often made up of a "pair" of siblings 2-3 years apart then a much younger sibling, perhaps due to a blended family or a surprise! I think 4 or more children is a lot. I know 2 people with 4 and one with 5 children but no-one of my generation have more than that.

zzzzz · 05/10/2018 08:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Gaspodethetalkingdog · 05/10/2018 08:09

More than 2 is large, if you have more you cannot give more a good upbringing unless you have a high income

CrazySheepLady · 05/10/2018 08:11

I think 3 is pretty big, 4 (or more!) Is a very big family. Most people I know have 1 or 2 and I have 2 step-kids.

zzzzz · 05/10/2018 08:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kaytee87 · 05/10/2018 08:15

4+ I'd say.

LoniceraJaponica · 05/10/2018 08:18

Why the Shock face zzzzz? 11 children is a lot by anyone's standards, and extremely unusual. I love DD, but I'm not at all maternal, which is why I asked the question. I expect April would find my lifestyle weird with only having one Grin.

Flatasapancakenow · 05/10/2018 08:20

I agree that high income does not equal good upbringing. The lady I know with 5 kids doesn't work, and her husband is on a very average salary. She loves her kids to pieces and has absolutely made it the priority of her life to give them the best that she can in wholesome family memories, love, time and attention. She is very calm and views each of her kids as totally precious. Of all my mummy friends she's the one who seems to have it all together. You can see she loves her life being a mum and her kids are having a ball. Her and her husband aren't overly focused on providing ski holidays, private education etc, but that doesn't equate to a poor upbringing.

Sorry for the little thread derail!

bigKiteFlying · 05/10/2018 08:26

I've been told that us having 3 DC makes us a large family - which seems odd to me as I grew up in such a family.

Looking around the school yards - it's not that large.

It was a significant limit on house choice finding one with four bedrooms as well - we have one and there were others though most outside our price range. 3 bed is the norm - 4's seem to be extensions or rooms that could be used as bedrooms – lofts, box rooms or downstairs rooms.

I grew up sharing a room – expected my DC would have to so thrilled we can offer them a room each.

you cannot give more a good upbringing unless you have a high income

Depends where you are and what you class as a high income and good up bringing – I can’t say yes to everything our children want but I think they do well.