Are you from a large family? what did to think about it?

[verybusyspider]

curious really, I 3 dc but am one of 2, I'd like another dc but am worried about the practicalities of it all.
I had my own room from about 10yrs and can't work out if its important or not, our dc's will have to share for time being but thinking one day if we ever managed to get a four bed then they could have their own room and privacy if they wanted, if we have 4 then they'll always have to share - is that important?
I'm from a large extended family and I grew up as one of 6 cousins, we lived in same town and all had holidays together. I loved it, I'd like my dc's to have same kind of experience.... but had my own space if wanted it...
just after your thoughts/experiences please!

im one of 9, i loved it the manic house, always something going on. always having someone to talk to, to share life with. dont get me wrong we did argue from time to time but thats normal. sharing a room is great when your growing up, its all part of learning to share and understanding everyones diffrent.

one of 4 - thought it was brilliant. Fought hard played hard. Had to share a room but it makes you appreciate your own room when you get it.

I'm one of four, two boys, two girls. Shared a room til my sister got married when I was 15. We did argue a bit as teenagers but before that it was great, good company.

When my dad died I spent a lot of time with my siblings which was a great comfort and felt quite sorry that my two children only have each other, but then not all big families are close.

This is a really interesting thread for me. We have six kids, more by luck than good judgement - DH had four when I met him, his first dw had died. There are good things and bad things about having so many. I definitely think we have been a bit emotionally neglectful at times - how could we not be? - but the kids do support each other so much, it's a bit swings n roundabouts maybe. And if say one of the dcs is up to no good, the others tend to tell us (eventually!) so you are more in touch with what's going on thru the teen years than you might otherwise be.
Right now, Ds5 (who is 7) is doing his homework now with his big brother (17) listening to banging music and I can hear big bro teaching Ds5 all about "i before e except after c" ... it's nice to hear (and saves me telling him!).