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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

..to think it slightly strange....

14 replies

Squirdle · 27/11/2007 13:13

...the way my cousins (2 sisters) keep having babies so that they can have the youngest!

I have just found out that one of them is pregnant again! The other had one in the Spring and she already had 4 and now her sister, who already has 6, is having another! The one with 6 and another on the way had 5 boys and kept going to have a girl (which she did but seems totally insane to me)

I don't think they will ever stop! Why do people do this?

OP posts:
alittleone2 · 27/11/2007 13:17

Message withdrawn

ArmadilloDaMan · 27/11/2007 13:19

A friend of mine had 5 older brothers cos her parents kept going until they had a girl.

Unfortunately/unsurprisingly with 5 older brothers she was quite the tomboy.

Camillathechicken · 27/11/2007 13:19

do you really think that is the reason they are having babies?

why do people do this? because they want large families, love being pregnant, having babies..

have you asked them?

ArmadilloDaMan · 27/11/2007 13:20

Should explain last comment - friend had quite a few problems growing up cos she wasn't what they had expected/wanted.

Lot of pressure on all the kids and disappointment for them.

ArmadilloDaMan · 27/11/2007 13:21

Also - have nothing against people having lots of kids. Fair play to them, I couldn't do it.

Original poster
Squirdle · 27/11/2007 13:22

They must be wanting a football team, though I would have thought between them they should have one by now!

It really is because they want the youngest child. My sister and I joke everytime one of them has a baby and say ooh I wonder when X will have another. I really didn't think it would carry on this long! They both started very young, one being still at school when she had her first, because her sister (a different one who stopped at 2) had one the yr before.

I don't get it!!

OP posts:
Camillathechicken · 27/11/2007 13:23

well, it;s horses for courses, isn;t it? i have two children, am very happy with that, no plans for anymore.. my friend just had her 4th.. it is what is right for each family .

Original poster
Squirdle · 27/11/2007 13:28

I know, I know, I sound very judgemental, I don't really mean to (just rather them than me!! ) I have nothing against people wanting lots of children, but they should have them for the right reasons ie not to have a girl/boy and not so they are in competition with each other (and believe me, I know they are)

OP posts:
nametaken · 27/11/2007 13:38

nothing wrong with having a large family PROVIDING you pay for your family yourself and don't expect the taxpayer to do it for you. Then I'd be annoyed.

LoveAngelGabriel · 27/11/2007 15:38

People have large families for different reasons, don't they? I have an aunty who kept going until she 'got a boy' (she had four daughters before finally having her son). I know a few people who come from large families themselves, so I guess it's the norm for them. And then there are people like one of my best friends who just loves babies (well, children in general, but especially babies), has just had her third child and is already talking about having a fourth in time for next Christmas!

3andnomore · 27/11/2007 15:44

Well, OP if that really is their only reason, then it is a bit silly....but well, people can do strange things for even stranger reasons, I suppose...lol...

cazboldy · 27/11/2007 15:49

my dh is the eldest of 7. 6 boys and a girl. the girl was the second eldest and they kept trying for another girl.
I have 5 dc 3 boys and 2 girls, and my pil thought that we were doing the same thing. I said "oh my god I'm not that mad" and then realised what I had said!
Practicalities are hard though. Money, A big enough house and a big enough car etc......
I was still at school when I had my first, though completely unplanned!
As you say, each to their own I guess!

HairyIrene · 27/11/2007 15:54

crikey squirdle, i think they are mad too
and environmentally taxing actually...

... and hey, i can easily believe this strange family rivalry
..we have that have it too...but in the form of my sister and brother competing to ACT like the youngest...my sister manages to cause trouble from all corners of this globe..

Original poster
Squirdle · 27/11/2007 17:29

Well I suppose they actually want them, surely people don't just have babies to have the youngest, but it definately is one of the main reasons.

I don't think they can really afford to keep having them, but I guess they manage (or they wouldn't, would they?)

Don't get me wrong, I do think each to their own, if people want a large family then go for it (I can't say too much being 1 of 6) but you do need to consider the expense etc.

I guess one of them will have to admit defeat in the end...or will they

My sister has twin boys and I have 3 boys (big gap betwen 1st and 2nd) We like the occasion bit of peace

They do constantly moan about how much hard work it is and that we couldn't possibly understand....er nope, but I chose not to have lots.

But I will stop being so judgemental because actually I'm not liking it much. They obviously love them and I live 2 hours away so I don't need to worry about visits

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