Mother Talkers

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  • its not just numbers, but the chaos (0 / 0)

    I agree the issues would be the same - I deal with the same issues with one. It just seems like the parents with a lot of kids of close-together ages seem like they surrender to the will of the majority a lot. I have reasons for prefering small families, but have a brother who raised six kids who have turned out okay, even with the first four very close in age. They had a big support network and plenty of money, though, and these families on the show do not seem to have the same resources.

    by chun yang on Fri May 09, 2008 at 11:23:37 AM PDT

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    • Don't know that that's entirely correct. (0 / 0)

      I had seven children in 11 years.  Sure, it looked like chaos for a long time...but it didn't mean that we let them "have control".  In fact, I maintained an almost bully-like sense of control for a long time because I knew that I was outnumbered!

      Now, having a lot of kids, you learn to not sweat the small stuff.  Maybe those of us who have a lot of kids are less likely to do this anyway.  If I'd only had one child I seriously doubt if I would have been the obsessive, neurotic type.

      And yes, thank you...my kids have turned out quite well, despite there being so many of them.

      by tjb22 on Fri May 09, 2008 at 11:43:37 AM PDT

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      • I would think you also get the advantage (0 / 0)

        Of playing them off against each other and having the older ones act as role models/guides/enforcers for the younger ones in exchange for all the extra chaos. :-)

        by shenanigans on Fri May 09, 2008 at 11:52:27 AM PDT

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        • They do occupy each other. (0 / 0)

          They still do, even as adults.  And yeah, you use a little bit of psychology along the way.  Older kids can be very helpful if you keep reminding them of the "specialness" of being older.  It really is rather amusing....oftentimes, doing the dishes isn't so bad if you feel like you have someone to boss around a bit while doing them!

          by tjb22 on Fri May 09, 2008 at 01:02:12 PM PDT

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