Not trying to be inflammatory but why do people *need* more than two kids?

[ConstantlyFuriosa]

Just that.

And yes, those that don’t have them should be putting a little bit towards that encouragement via tax.

We already do if you consider how much we pay in versus how much we get out.

Any government which proposed to tax me more because my reproductive organs had to be removed from me at a young age would see me seriously consider emigrating.

I always wanted 3 or 4, in reality once I had one I wouldn't have had 4 as you need a supportive community or family for that, I believe. I feel single children are very alone in life and 2 kids have only 1 sibling relationship. Having 2 or more sibling relationships is a wonderful thing. When growing up the happiest families I knew had 4 or 5, anything beyond that and it became chaotic. After having 1 I had secondary infertility and while some people could have accepted one I found this to be very wrong. Lucky for me iVF worked and better still I was blessed with twins. I feel 3 is just right!

I don't get this either. Surely everyone having new things all the time is very wasteful?

I must admit, I also make mine do their own laundry and strip and wash their own bedding. I don't think this is neglectful however, quite the opposite.

Yes, yes, so I probably chose the wrong word with ‘need’. And although inspired to some degree by the whole ‘two child benefit cap’ furore, of course, not everyone who has big families relies on benefits.

If anything, my stance is mostly that the planet is overpopulated enough as it is. And we’re all going to hell in a handcart because of it.

Interesting split of opinion in the vote, though.

@ConstantlyFuriosa they'll just say we need future tax payers and should be thanking them. Or that overpopulation is a myth and the whole planet's population could fit inside Texas.

I’m presuming you don’t have any kids then. Because if you’re worried about everyone ‘going to hell in a handcart’ then the only sensible option for the earth is to have no children.

No, I don’t have any kids. My sis has three, though. And yes, I love them all.

I do. I know multiple women with 4 kids and solid jobs ranging from middle management to quite senior/specialised fields. It can be done. I have 3 and work full time in a busy job.

Good for you then. My 4 kids are making up for the fact some people have chosen to have none. When you are old, my children will be tax payers, contributing to your care.

Unless I top myself or die from some incurable disease and then no burden on your kids, eh?!

Assuming they will be high earning tax payers. Who has paid for their schooling, dr etc given their are only 2 parents? This argument/midel makes no sense, we should all pay for ourselves plus a buffer to allow for the vulnerable. A high earning single, childless person pays the most tax and gets the least back for it.

My mum had four of us, both my parents worked and mum was never on the dole.
I will like only one child, maybe two. My partner has three so if I have one with him he will have 4/5
I'm not from a big family but it must be nice to be and I don't think there is anything wrong with having more than 2 if you work and can afford them.
So selfish to bring up kids when you live in poverty

We pay for their schooling. An absolute fortune every year - plus the tax we pay for them not to attend state school. We haven’t needed to see a gp in years and if we needed to now, it’d be through BUPA. I hope that allays some of your fears.

That's good to hear! Although I'm sure you'd be in the minority with that. What about everything else that they use? Theres four of them so your family is taking more than the average.

Meh, we take more than the average. Some take much less. It all balances out. The environment was never a consideration for me when I planned my family - I don’t feel in the slightest bit guilty about having 4.

Lol as long as it balances out in your favour 😆

Not sure what you mean. Who’s favour does it end up in if we don’t have the means to support the enormous number of oap’s in decades to come?

That's fine, but don't act like you're doing the world a favour My 4 kids are making up for the fact some people have chosen to have none. When you are old, my children will be tax payers, contributing to your care. because in all likelihood as a family of 6 you'll probably take more than you put in

I highly doubt it. You know nothing about me. I’m completely secure in the role we play in society.

I can get a pretty good idea about you by reading your posts 😁

Ok 👍🏼

I only had one. I always wanted just one it was perfect for me. Maybe more than 2 is perfect for those families?

Have loads of kids because people 80 years ago had loads of kids, great plan. Your kids will be old one day too, and will need support from future generations, which means we'll never get the population down to sustainable levels.

The benefit cap should stay as it is in my opinion and if anything, there can be direct help for children if necessary. Anyway, I have 3 children and I thank God I can afford them. I also have a good career. I did my masters and accounting professional exams after we had DC1 and got a graduate job after. Had DC2, the 6 year age gap meant I picked up my career after maternity leave as we could afford 1 in nursery comfortably and wrap around care. 4 years later, we had DC3, just because we want to. No one needs any child, we want them, God has blessed us in every way we can imagine so we can afford them , no one is missing anything, from extra curricular to holidays, they have their own rooms, etc we are happy.