Why do so many have more than one child?

[albertGQ]

I have two boys now, 25 months apart, and love them both to pieces

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

I have two boys now, 25 months apart, and love them both to pieces

You're doing it too hard then! Gentle, gentle...

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by MattyK

Some people are just hard-core religious and don't believe in birth control.

I used to play hockey with a guy. Late twenties, having his eighth kid. That's just crazy, but hey...it's his choice. At least he'll have plenty of kids to take care of him when he's 80 years old.

None of the kids will take care of him when he's 80. They'll be too busy.

Just us this as the parenting thread... call it: the proud parent thread

[V]

We have 4 with the oldest being 7. It definitely gets easier after the first two. It just makes you really, really poor.

[WhiteTiger]

Whenever I get the urge (and it's mighty rare) to have kids, I offer to babysit for a friend's brood. She's got five, and the oldest is 11. Fixes that urge in a hurry, let me tell you.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by WhiteTiger

Whenever I get the urge , I offer to babysit

[chemgear]

Holy thread necro!

I've always heard from others that the 2nd, 3rd, etc. are much easier. "Incrementally, it's not that big of a deal after the first one; you've already gone through it all."

As a sidebar, I wonder at times if people delude themselves a little about having kids. ("Delude" is probably too strong a word though.)

People complain outright about dates, spouses, that car/house they bought and how it was the worst decision ever or that it sucks lemons. It almost seems socially unacceptable to say anything but "omg having kids is the best thing ever, I would never go back, they're a gift from God!, little Johnny is special." Perhaps it's the fact that you can't really ever go back in any case unlike most other major decisions in life (though I guess you could bail.)

Not sure why I'm rambling/thinking out loud.

[V]

Synthetic Happiness.

http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_gilbert..._we_happy.html

Well worth the time it takes to watch.

[FLAME ENVY]

Originally Posted by MacDougalbry

In this era where many kids start full time daycare when they turn one, having siblings is probably not as crucial for social development as it once was.

Very true.

[normtwofinger]

As an only child, have either zero or at least two. If you have only one, be prepared to spend $1000's on therapy when they hit their 20's.

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by MacDougalbry

In this era where many kids start full time daycare when they turn one, having siblings is probably not as crucial for social development as it once was.

Originally Posted by FLAME ENVY

Very true.

Social devopment: Perhaps.
Discipline: Not even close.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Only child's are such babies, they don't know how to take a teasing.

[Sr. Mints]

My current position on dogs easily applies to children: I'll only consider adopting an older one in need of a home.

[Ryan Coke]

I think the zero or two rule is garbage. I know lots of great well adjusted only's, and most of the worst people on earth have siblings.

Love your kids and raise them well, and ensure they interact with others outside the home. They will likely do well, regardless of how many you have.

And for those of you who are screwed up and blame being an only child, I hate break it to you but you probably would've been just as messed up with a bunch of siblings to beat up on you.

We would have been fine with one, but it turns out we are having number two in a few months. God help me. Parenting is a wonderful experience and extremely rewarding, but it is a bunch of work at times.

[Rathji]

Our first was a dream, or second was fine till he hit 16-18 months and at that point I almost regretted having a second.

[Calgaryborn]

If you only have one child having a favourite has no meaning.

[chemgear]

Originally Posted by V

Synthetic Happiness.

http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_gilbert..._we_happy.html

Well worth the time it takes to watch.

That's really interesting - thanks for the link. Certainy stuff to think upon.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by normtwofinger

As an only child, have either zero or at least two. If you have only one, be prepared to spend $1000's on therapy when they hit their 20's.

We already heard that one 4 years ago.

I have one, and I don't think we'll be having number two. But I do wonder if 15 years from now I'll look back and that will be a huge regret. Really it's not that I wouldn't like another kid, but I don't think my wife could handle it. Maybe the next one will.

I actually am beginning to think that it's easier when you're a bit younger than I currently am as your body isn't falling apart and you have a bit more energy. Although, it is a lot of responsibility, and there are no days off, so I don't know if you need to be at a point in your life where you accept it, or you're just forced into it when you do have kids.

Money...well for someone like me who unlike most of CP, doesn't make 250 grand a year, rent a house for dirt cheap, invest all my money in stocks that double in value every week, drive a Subaru with the greatest winter tires ever, and sit around and scold everyone else for being financially irresponsible....it hasn't broke the bank for me yet. I still find a way to get everything I need, and a bit more. Really I don't mind making a few personal sacrifices to give things to my kid.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Rathji

Our first was a dream, or second was fine till he hit 16-18 months and at that point I almost regretted having a second.

Just remember that "this too will pass".

And kids grow up too fast. You might not think so now, but one day you will be in the same shoes as I am, wondering "where did the time go?", and "how did it go by so quickly?".

[Sr. Mints]

My mom use to say her favourite child was the one(s) not currently living at home. We're all her favourite's now.