posted by Kittykait
Oops! I guess having missed a poll already calls for a really good excuse, doesn’t it? Try this one, last weekend our church had it’s annual talent show. The talent show was a real success. There were hilarious skits some opera singing, juggling of eggs and so much more. After the talent show was the dance. The really fun kind of dancing like the Virginia reel” and “Strip the Willow”. And on top of all that the wonderful and sweet Long ladies from Marie Madeline Studio were there.
So there you have it. That is my excuse. I think it’s a pretty good one. 
Now, for the poll.
As promised this week will be how many kids do you want. I think this one will be very interesting in the sense that I will be able to get a glimpse of how like minded our readers are. I guess it’s kind of a spin on the one that Mom did a while back, where she asked something like “how crazy do you think we are?”, which by the way I cannot for the life of me find.
Now of course if someone asks me how many kids I want I always tell them “as many as God gives me” but that’s not to say I don’t have a preference , I hope that I would be able to be content with only a few but at the same time I think it would be wonderful (after praying about the matter and getting wise counsel) to adopt if circumstances allow.
Anyways, I’d love to have at least 10. How about you?
Loading ...Feel free to elaborate on your answer in the comments.
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I voted a billion and a half. I “want” 20, and plan to adopt at least “some”. I joke that I’m taking over the world.
No kids yet though – still single.
Interestingly, currently negative one percent of the readers think that kids stink. Wonder how that math came about
(also, you might want to tag this entry as “written by” or some such. I have a tingling feeling it wasn´t really written by KimC)
I want 14. I want to adopt some (as I am adopted and want to help children who come from troubled families) and I want twin boys who I will name Micheal and Gabriel.
~Natalya
I voted for a million and a half. I want as many as God will give us (and then some) as close together as possible. We got married later than desired. I was 24 and my husband was 29. We got pregnant on our honeymoon and have 3 under 4. The oldest will be 4 next. They are all 21 months apart due to God’s spacing (via breastfeeding). I have been a follower for years. I love seeing and hearing about your family.
Emily, I’m in the same boat as you
3 kids, oldest is 4, planning on many more!
“kids stink!” haha!! Would love to know how that person got to reading you blog!
I chose 12! Why? Cause it sounds like sooo much fun! I’m an only child so anything greater than sounds like fun!
(I’ve often told myself that I want my thanksgiving dinners to require a minimum of 4 turkeys!)
i don’t think “kids stink” but i want none – for lots of reasons, like the fact that i CAN’T have any [it would kill me, literally] and the fact that i am physically incapable of caring for them – i’m not ABLE to pick up a gallon of milk, and babies weigh more.
but i’m not voting, because i don’t think “kids stink”.
I voted 5-6 but would be happy with 1. My husband and I are hoping for kids soon! We’ve been married for 2 years and haven’t been blessed just yet!
I had natural childbirth and 31 years ago this month, I laid in the labor room and prayed, “Dear God, If you will help me get through this, I promise I will never do it again. I was 26 years old at that time, I am now 57…..I still remember the pain. And I kept my promise and only had the one daughter……but OH MY GOODNESS, how I love that girl and have had so much fun with her. And guess what???? I have no grand children yet and she has been married for 9 years this October.
I read the poll aloud to my husband to see what he would say and he began to answer the billion and a half before it was even all the way out of my mouth.
It’s nice to see we’re on the same page.
And whoever voted for kids stink, needs to find a different blog to read!
I didn’t vote – couldn’t find one that communicated what I think.
I have 6 – I would take as many more as the Lord would give us!
My little man at age 4 (he is now 50, said when asked how many kids he would like to have, “All of them.” We loved his answer! He would take all that the Lord would send to him and his wife one day!
oops that should read (he is now age 5) not 50! Yikes!
Well, I voted ten to twelve because I think that’s realistic for me.. Being 42 and I have 10 now. Maybe we could squeeze in a couple more but I don’t have the same “limitless” feeling I did when I was in my 20′s.
But I hope each of my kids will have at least 10 and then I’ll have 100 grandkids, then in a generation or two, maybe then we’ll have a billion and a half.
I have 10 and I am happy with 10. Some of my children want 2 more to make a dozen. I say, 10 is a good number.
I wanted a dozen as a child/young woman. Then I was 30 when I got married. As a almost 37 year old, with only 1 child, I have lowered my sights. 3 or 4?
I voted 10 children because a friend once asked if we’re just going to keep on having children and what happens if we end up having 10, I answered that we’ll never have THAT many. It was just be so beautifully just for God to prove my friend and me wrong for having uttered those foolish words once a upon a time.
I’m 39 and expecting our 8th in December so I don’t know if I will have enough time to have 10, but the desire’s definitely there.
I am good with 5- The number that I have now. We said 10 when we got married, but now we’re good with five. =)
I voted 12 because that’s how many I’m estimating I have time for before menopause (I have 2 and 1 on the way now)–I could, and probably will, be totally off in my prediction. And of course, I’m open to whatever God sends.
I have three biological children and a 20 year old foster son who’s grown and out of the house. I want to become a foster family and be mom to all the kids out there who need a stable mom. We’d be totally OK with adopting any children we fostered who came to that point, but also OK with being their temporary haven. That’s why I voted a billion and a half. I want to fill the house with kids who just need love.
P.S. I’d always thought I’d want a million biological children, but after years in urban youth ministry, I see such a need for families to adopt and foster that I’ve really felt moved in that direction. Then after a traumatic 3rd pregnancy, the doctors and midwives all told me that (even though I’m only 31) any more pregnancies is a really really bad idea for me. I’m happily taking that as God’s way of saying that the rest of the kids He has in store for this house are coming from another gene pool, but still need us as much as our biological kids do.
Plus, our now grown foster son was a REALLY hard kid to handle, but we still love him and cherish every moment. We totally know what we’re in for.
I voted 5-6 … but after 3 years of waiting for our first little blessing, I would be happy with whatever God chooses to give us … even if, as hard as it is to say, if it is none. People don’t usually think of “as many as God chooses to give us” may also include the number ’0′.
We wanted 10-12 children or as many as God would give us. We have three boys right now with the youngest being 8 yo tomorrow. I don’t know if God is done opening my womb or if He is waiting for a good reason!
I said 8-9 because we have 8 now, and God does not seem to be calling us to adopt more, but we would take them if He did. I like the way you think, because it is what happened to us. We were only able to have 3 biologically before I had to have my uterus removed, so we adopted 5 more! We adopted one baby, and the rest were older out of foster care. I love my family, and the way God built it.
Well, I voted 7-8, but I should have voted for that billion and a half. We currently have 5 children ages 8 to 6 months. My pregnancies are hard, so my husband wants to be done, but I LOVE BEING PREGNANT! I LOVE BABIES! I LOVE CHILDREN! I think if my body and husband would allow it, I’d keep having kids well into my 40s!
When I was a kid I always wanted a large family, but at 28 and single (with no immediate prospect to change that status), if I am fortunate enough to have 3-4 I’d be ecstatic. I always imagined I would parent many more than I actually gave birth to though (foster/adopt) and I still hope to be able to do that as well.
Right now, just praying for that someone to do these things with (or to be content with the path God has for me if motherhood isn’t it).
I answered eight because that is our prayer! We have five now, but my husband had a reversal this summer & we are praying for more. Of course, if we have no more that will be just fine-we were happy to put the decision back into the proper hands!
To have? Never again the whole thing was brutal (hospitalized through pretty much the whole thing). I’d adopt twenty in a heart0beat on my way to a billion though…
I would love to have as many children as the Lord blesses us with. I voted a billion and a half, not likely to happen but, I’m trusting in the Lord to provide whatever he sees fit for our house.
I voted a billion and a half!! I only have five and we have four babies in heaven. I took my fertility for granted and I am so sorry for that. Our oldest is 16 and our youngest is 2.5 and I would so dearly love to have lots more, one after another but that doesn’t seem to be God’s will for us. I am 36 now so the odds of me having one after another are diminishing rapidly.
I live in Australia so we cannot adopt.
If I had a choice, I’d say 12. However, I am too old to get that many before my time to have children runs out. So I will be perfectly happy with 8.
I voted 7 – 8.
But I’d feel incredibly blessed and happy with just one, I think.
I’ll have to wait and see what God has in store
I’d like 6-8, but would be happy with more or less. Hubby says he’s always wanted 3. We have a one year old and are expecting twins, all boys, so I might feel differently once they’re here!
I just wanted to say how encouraged I was to read this. My husband and I have 4children. After our son was born, and mostly due to parental pressure, my husband had a vasectomy. Immediately after I felt like we had made a huge mistake. I had never heard of being quiverfull at the time, and very large families are def. not the norm in MA, but I was just so sad.
The Lord really worked on my heart that year. I found your blog and several other sites that were written by Christian women. I felt the desire to be quiverfull and spoke to my husband about it. Now I need to add that first surgery was very hard on my husband. He had complications and was out of work for 2 weeks…not a good memory and certainly not when men are so leery of pain in that area.
What started as a discussion quickly turned into an argument…one that lasted 3 years. At different times he would “cave in” and say he would have the surgery done. Then it would start all over again because I would feel guilty that I wasn’t obeying my husband and letting him be the head of the household.
It was so hard for me…I longed for more children. I felt the emptiness of my womb as a physical ache. I longed to nurse another babe. I loved clothe diapering and held onto our stash “just in case”. And I even have to admit to feeling envious. Every time I saw a pregnant woman or new baby, I was jealous (if I’m honest with myself).
Once again, the Lord has been speaking to my heart. For me to honestly believe that the size of our family is up to God, then I have to be content with the children He has given us. If the Lord wants us to have more children, He will speak to my husbands heart (for either a reversal or adoption or those unusual cases of a pregnancy through vasectomy.)
It’s hard to have a quiverfull mindset or heart when you have a hard time or can’t conceive.
The bottom line…I am blessed. I have four beautiful, healthy, smart and absolutely cool kids. I have a husband who adores me and was even willing to have a surgery he didn’t want, just to please me.
And above all, I have a God who loves me and knows the absolute best for me and my family.
Sorry for the novel! Thank you for sharing your family and your life on your blog. It’s one of the few I read on a regular basis
Not sure how to answer–
years ago the answer was 2- and forawhile 2 it was– then 5 years later we were pregnant again and lost 2 babies in a row– that showed us how much we desire and long for babies….
3 years ago we than had our 3rd son– and 12 months later our 4th our first daughter, 12 months later our 5th boy– and just found out #6 will be making an arrival in May/June!!
So — the Lord gives grace– he gives us what we need when we need it–
Even 2 years ago i would’ve NEVER guessed we would be having 6 children– it still sounds so weird saying— it but it is TRUE!!
So– who knows– 5 years from now– HOW many?!!
I really didn’t know how to answer– I’m fine with 6– but 10 wouldn’t really surprise me either!!
I replied 3 or 4.
I am 28 and have been married almost 4 years… with one baby. With perfectly average fertility, I could expect to have about 4 more children (I’m a big enough nerd that I’ve run the numbers in a spreadsheet). But I am not confident that I have average fertility. I have had several miscarriages and went a year without getting pregnant at all before conceiving my daughter. Now she is 15 months old and so far nothing yet. If I never get pregnant again, we will adopt. We don’t want Pearl to be an only child! But other than that scenario, we don’t intend to take anything into our own hands.
But it’s funny how things work out. We’d always thought somewhere between 3 and 5 sounded great…. and here we are, looking like that’s about what God will give us.
Well, I voted for “a million and a half” but my husband would say, “Don’t limit me or my God!” I would love to have more and expect that we will probably be blessed again but I am also content with the 5 we currently have (ages 9 years-2 months). It’s all about attitude
I voted 7-8, but I only have 3 and will have to trust God to give more if He wills.
I voted a billion! I love children and being a wife and mom. I love every age! My oldest is eighteen and my youngest currently is 5 months. We have ten biological, four bios that have passed away, two adopted girls waiting to come home from Africa and a little African son that passed away in March.
I am only 35 so Lord willing we have many years more of childbearing and adopting!
I voted 13-15 but should have done the billion and a half. I want 12-15 at home at any given time. So as they grow up and leave it is time to begin adding in more. We have 9…ags 31-7. 3 biological- grown. 6 adopted at home. Looking now at adopting a sib group of 6 plus a sib group of 3. That would be the 15. The oldest at home is 16. So in the long haul, a billion and a half.
I love the positiveness of all these replies
We are expecting #6 any day now, and I’m in my late 20s. We leave our family planning in God’s hands, and we would love to have anymore. From man’s perspective, we’d seem to have many children ahead of us, and we would love for that to be the case. I can’t imagine being done with little ones for many, many years yet. I could see the possibility of adopting at some point too. I voted for 13-15.
I voted “a billion and a half”. I have no number of kids I want, I want what God wants to give me. So far we’ve been blessed with six wonderful kids (10 yrs to 9 months). Maybe he will give us many, more maybe not.
I voted 8-9, but that number is creeping up all the time. We originally said 3-5, and we’re at four girls and can’t even imagine what this “done” feeling you hear about would be like
It would be kind of fun to break into double digits…
We had just settled on the “as many as God gives us” plan when He took a break from giving them. I’ve always been pregnant again by my girls’ first birthdays, and our littlest is now 18 months!
When she turned one we made a tentative agreement that if we made it to her second birthday with no new little one on the way, we’d look into adopting,. But then, a crazy thing happened: we started getting excited about adoption!
Then we realized how long adoption can take, and, well… we started our home study process this week! And if we get pregnant along the way, it will just feel like confirmation that we were supposed to do this.
I think it’s wonderful that you’re thinking of adoption already. I had honestly never even considered it until about six months ago when God placed it on our hearts. I love seeing how He works!
I’ve always wanted eleven. We have six, and I’m 39. In my finite mind, I don’t see having five more, but it’s all in God’s hands. We’ve been very blessed.
Always thought 7 was the perfect number, but God gave us 8!
I’m in a similar situation to Carmen. 25, have yet to find a special someone to be my spouse. I am being more and more led to quiverful, and have definitely decided to practice NFP at the very least. In the poll I picked 7-8 but if I get more I wont complain.
I hope the husband He has picked out for me will be cool with that. Hopefully his parents too, I know mine wont be thrilled but it’d be nice to only be dealing with one set of parents not liking it. LOL! In my little part of the world the only QF families everyone has heard of are the Duggar’s so even though I know of quite a few, most people I know in real life only know of them, so it should be interesting if He blesses me with a QF-minded husband.
Whoops. I got carried away and then totally didn’t think to mention that I’d really life to adopt someday as well.
I voted 5-6, and this is why:
I’m a 57 year old grandma. I gave birth to three beautiful daughters and miscarried two children. So when I get to heaven I expect to meet my other two children, that makes five. Love them all.
I’m currently raising my grandson; he’s 7 and has lived with me a little over two years. So I consider him mine as well. The son I never had (or never got to meet). That makes 6 and explains my answer.
That said, if the Lord wishes to place more children in my care, I am open to that. I love all my grandbabies (and have some of those in heaven also).
Nana Ruth
I voted 10 children. That is what I used to say when I was a young single heathen girl.
Then I became a Christian and desire was still there. At 30 y.o., I married a very conservative man that thought he would never marry or have children. We have 4 children now.
We struggle. Parenting is the hardest thing to be. But the desire is still there. I don’t think is right to take the decision of how many children I will have into my own hands.
I am now 39 years old and only God knows how many we will end up with. I do know that there is a lot of pressure to shut the blessing’s flow off.
My mom has told me that I am addicted to children. My Dad pressures my DH to have a vasectomy every time a new baby is born.
I only say “which one of our children would you put back?” And I think “who would we be missing the privilege to meet if we stop having children by our own might?”
So, only God knows how many we will have.
My 11yo son is an only child. That’s the way God worked it out and I am perfectly happy with that. I have never experienced the desire to have another child but I wouldn’t turn one down if God had different ideas.
I voted “3-4 kids”. We have three right now and we’re totally and completely open to however many we’re given, but if it were up to me alone, I think 3-4 would be a pretty solid family. I don’t desire a large family (I know that’s almost blasphemous) but know God will change my heart if we do have more than that.
I hope I don’t sound terrible…I do love kids and am not some horrible unChristian ogre – I almost hesitate to post this. Yikes.
I’ll fess up: I voted none. I read your blog, and I think your lifestyle is fascinating, but it is not for me. My fiancé and I do not want children, and will not have any.
Everyone who wondered about who voted none, I’m one of them. I may not agree with a lot of whats posted here, but it is still fascinating to read and learn about different people. Thats a great thing about the US-you don’t have to go far to find a completely different culture from your own.
I chose 10-12. I am almost 42 years old and had twins last May. The twins make an even dozen. Right now I am so exhausted that I can’t imagine having another without feeling completely overwhelmed. However I know this is temporary. They will get older, sleep through the night, and eventually feed themselves. So, my husband and
I, knowing that the Lord will not give us more than we can handle, and trusting in Him, leave the decision in His hands. And we know that each one given to us is a gift and a blessing from Him to us. So we cherish each one and look forward to whatever He has for us in the future.
~Married five months
~Nine weeks pregnant with number one
~Both of us are the oldest of ten on earth plus several more in heaven (and both sets of parents want more!)
~One sibling (so far) adopted–my parents can’t have any more bio and got bitten by the adoption bug when they thought they were through!
~During our courtship we attended a big adoption conference with my family
~We both love kids!
~We both love adoption!
All of which should make it fairly obvious that I voted for a billion and a half!
BTW I’m loving all the ‘adopt and bear’ attitude in the comments! So many people assume it’s ‘either/or’; my husband and I say ‘both/and”!
I voted 8-9. Currently have 5 all preteen or teens, the oldest being 17. I wouldn’t mind 3 more!
I voted for “a billion and a half” because I really love my children and would love more! We have eight kids, the youngest is seven months old and my dh says, we’re “done” now. But you wanted to know what I want, so I chose the max.
Really, I’m only 31 – when I think of my baby being the last one it almost makes me cry, though my baby girl is so young.
Greetings from Germany!
(I hope my comment is understandable enough – sometimes words don’t come easy in English…)
I always wanted a large family. Mother nature was not kind to me. I was only able to have 2. I am blessed with 4 beautiful grand children and a lot of children who have passed through my day care that I stay in close personal touch with. The Lord has blessed me in many ways. I get to spend time with all of these children and someone else gets to do the laundry….
I have been a licensed home day care provider for more than 20 years. A lot of children have come through my doors. Of those there are 5 that are way too old for day care now but that still come around just to see me and visit. Last night for instance a 16 year old BOY came over with his mother and sister and he sat on our sofa with me and we laughed and laughed at pictures of him as a little boys playing in the back yard. He taught the other boys in the group to tee tee against my tree….(his father taught him this nifty trick when he took him camping; so Kevin shared his information with the others)
Kids bring so much joy….yes work too, but mostly joy.
I voted 7-8 because that’s how many I wanted when I was 12, then God gave me a husband who felt the same. We both figured we’d probably end up with 5-6. Instead, God blessed us beyond what we could ask or think – we have 9!! 3 boys, 6 girls.
I think I would like to have a child, but probably just one. I’m currently 25, I was only 20 when I married DH, and from the start we both knew we wanted to wait about 10 years to have a child (it’s really important to me that I be out of my 20′s before venturing into motherhood). When people (IMO rudely!) ask us when we’re going to have children, we basically answer honestly. The conversation usually goes something like this:
Me: I’d like to have a child, but not until I’m 30.
DH: Yeah, and then after 5 years if we’re not totally overwhelmed with that one, we might have a 2nd.
Me: But Aaron (DH) has to give birth to that one.
DH: Yes dear.
…Oh, ps. I read your blog for similar reasons as Rose if you’re wondering, but also because of your posts about home birth (I’m a pre-natal yoga teacher and have been seriously considering becoming a doula) and natural living.
I’m childless due to well, lets just say unpleasant reasons. I do like caring for children though and have many many over the years as a teacher, nanny, etc.
I am curious though as to how those who have, say more than 4, handle the finances of large families? Independently wealthy? Very frugal (as I am!) or very creative? Do you plan for college educations? How do you handle medical expenses, food and “fun”? Etc.
These days I see so many families struggle just to simply feed their children I am awed, amazed at how well large families cope.
Perhaps Kim you could speak on this? (If you have already and it is in the archieves if you’ll just kindly point me in the right direction that would be great).
i’d like to add to both my answer, and my take on Ann [right above]
i can’t have kids of my own. and, really, i’ve already raised kids – my youngest sister was MY baby [she called me mommy, first. i quickly taught her who mommy REALLY was, but mom was so BUSY, trying to go to school and work full time, because my step-dad was dying, she HAD to], and i got her again as a teen, when my mother went thru 9 back surgeries in 4 years. i also raised my neice until she was 9.
and i mentored teens, until i became too disabled. i must have 30 young adults on ta, everything from a med student to a mechanic! my “friends” rarely visit, but my kids? all the time. and take me to doctor appointments and PT, and after my last surgery got together and bought me a wheelchair…
i simply can’t take care of young kids, anymore. but teens – teens are *easy*
Hello,
I love watching your blog, and I wanted to leave a comment on this one.
I am not married yet (I am 15), but I would love however many little ones the Lord will give me. Children are a great blessing from the Lord.
Lo, children are an heritage from the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is HIS reward. Psalm 127:3
I do not know how many that will be, so I didn’t vote on the poll, can this comment count for my vote? =)
Blessings to You,
Krissy J.
Oop’s I am tired….
Thought it said “how many do you have?”….
I would love at least 2-3 more : )(6 so far)
Well, since I’m now almost 30, have been married 7 years, spent several of those years talking the hubby into trying, and now have been battling infertility…..I figure I’ll be lucky to have 2. I used to think I’d want 4-6. You don’t always get what you want.
How come “kids stink” if you want none?
I love kids yet I choose not to have any.
I think that’s okay.
A billion and a half.
That’s what my 5 yo would say, so that’s what I voted.
My husband and I discussed this before marriage, and were only partially joking when we said 15 would be a good number.
In reality, we remain wholly open to children, in God’s numbers, and God’s timing. Unless he starts showering us with twins and triplets, it looks like our family may end up on the smaller side of “big”. And I have reached a point of contentment with that. What will be, will be. It is God who satisfies my soul.
My husband and I are foster parents and want to serve as many kids as we can. We have two bio kids and hope to adopt some of our foster kids, in the event they need a permanent home! :~)
I voted a billion! If I ever ‘won the lotto’ (but I don’t play the lotto) I’d buy a big house & land & adopt every needy kid I could find! I’d prob quite literally stop & grab them from ‘bad’ parents or group homes & off I’d go!! I love kids!!
But honestly I hope the Good Lord sees fit to bless us with about 5!
We were married at 21 and took control of things for 6 years. I had my first at 28, and then we timed them for a while. Number 5 was a big surprise, and helped us realize how precious they really are. We now have 9, I’m 45 and the youngest just turned 1. I don’t know what God has in store, but I won’t be surprised if we have more. I think 12 would be a nice round number!
I agree with you, amber I know lots of people that loooooove kids, but parenthood just isn’t their purpose in this life; heck, for a long time I was pretty certain I didn’t want any, and at the time I was teaching numerous pre-school classes and such. Loved those kids, but didn’t think parenthood was for me.
At this point in time I’m at a place where I just want to do my purpose–what I was created to do. Deep down I KNOW that doesn’t involve kids right now, even though for selfish reasons, I would really like to have one. I hope someday motherhood with be a part of God’s plan for me, but right now it’s not something that I would be venturing into for the right reasons.
Some people were just born to be moms (like Kim!), I’m sure I’m not one of them, but I hope that if I do become one someday that I’ll be a good one, at this point in time I would not be.
My answer is also ‘as many as the Lord will give me’. I voted 13-15.
Growing up I always said that I wanted 12, but now that we have 10, I would be happy to have more.
I voted for 5 – 6. This is a really change for me! I am currently pregnant with baby # 4. I have been really sick and fatigued during this pregnancy, and none my pregnancies have been easy. When we got pregnant with this baby, we stated this was the last one. Since then, I have listened to most of Vision Forum’s Baby conference and talked with my husband a lot about having kids. We have both decided that we have been selfish wanting to limit the number of children we have because we are ready to move past the “baby stage”. Now we will have to see how these discussions and decisions will change us practically after I have this baby. I am fairly certain this will NOT be our last, but I am not so sure that I can say we will have 10 children either. We can just pray that God will continue to change mine and my husband’s hearts and attitudes on the matter and see where He leads us. Thanks for your blog, it has been a big encouragement in seeing a large family run well.
Okay, well I always wanted 12 but I married a man who didn’t care if he ever had kids, but he wanted me so we comprimised on 3. We are such a good fit for each other I can’t image life had a passed him up. We have two now with one on the way, Okay I do wish I was having twins, but at 34 I think this is it.
It was after all much easier to say I want a dozen before having gone thru pregnancy, labor, delivery, and raising kids. I will say we make beautiful kids though:D
I voted 5-6 cause I ‘ve always wanted at least that many (we currently have 4, ages14,12,5,&2). The only problem is I have hypothyroidism that causes chronic fatigue, and lately all kinds of irritating (and at times debilitating) symptoms; ie my hair is falling out by the handful. I keep praying for healing, it hasn’t happened yet (but that doesn’t mean it won’t!). I trust my heavenly father in all things sometimes it’s just hard, you know? I’m hoping to get better medication soon and this should make me right as rain!;) I hope to be able to conceive soon after. I also voted for that many cause if I’m nursing I don’t get pregnant. My 2 year old is nursing strong still, and I wasn’t able to get pregnant with her until I weaned her older sister at 2 and a half (I actually lost the one I got pregnant with at that time,but I conceived the 2 year old just 6 weeks after!). Anyhoo, what I’m trying to say is I only get preggers every 3 years or so. Sooo… this means I will probably get only one or 2 more before menopause. I love being a mommy,even as challenging as it is! I pray for more because I’ve had babyitis for quite a while now. I mean, I can practically smell the baby powder and feel my taught round belly! It would also be nice to have someone with many as a friend. Everyone in my circle (even my church) deem fertility as a curse rather than a blessing! In fact, my sister and I are the only ones out of my cousins to have any at all! And I am the only one since my granny to have more than 2! When I became pregnant with #4 I thought my mom was going to keel over…sad, but true. I no longer care because I truely understand children are blessings from the Lord!
I voted 8-9 because looking at the timing of how the Lord has been giving us our children, I can extrapolate!
We are at a strange point. We’ve always said 4 or more… although hubby is more apprehensive about the “more” part!
I think right now we are both trying to decide how we feel about family planning. We never use hormonal BC, and haven’t really used any BC after our second child (I’m pregnant with our 3rd).
I will trust my husband’s leading on this, but if were up to only me (and it’s not! in sooo many ways), I’d just let God handle the whole mess and see where we end up! lol.
Laura, you might be interested in looking into natural family planning/ fertility awareness; I don’t like taking hormones either and it’s worked really well (so far so good…) for DH and I.
Classes are available at most Catholic Churches and there’s some great books out there like “Taking Charge of Your Fertility.” The information is also super helpful when trying to GET pregnant too, and, even if you never end up using it for BC or to TTC, it’s just super empowering to know what’s going on with your cycles. (For instance, my right sacroilliac joint give me a whole heap of trouble, and I now know that after ovulation, my body makes more of the hormone relaxin, which makes the ligaments more flexible, which means they hurt most during those 12 days between ovulation and menstruation. Because I now know when my body is making the most relaxin, I can plan ahead, adjust my exercise routine, and be extra genelt to my right SI joint during those days).
Good luck with whatever you choose, and congrats on your pregnancy.
I voted 5 -6. While I was growing up I NEVER wanted kids. I had a bad childhood and thought that if I had kids I would inflict that on the next generation.
After Jesus came into my life, there was a process of beginning to believe that His light could conquer the darkness of my childhood. We had our first after 4 years of marriage. Even then, it was not automatically “all ok.” I went through the process of learning how to mother one, overcoming fears, facing my personal demons.
By God’s grace, I began to overcome my past. Then I had a second one. There was more freedom, but I was still learning to accept motherhood. It wasn’t until the birth of the third child that I wanted more than 3. Now, I would accept up to 5, because I don’t want to be in any vehicle bigger than a mini van.
I am a testimony to the life transforming power of Christ.
I have wanted 10 for a long time! I have 6 now and after my experience with my last birth I was told that if I have another one it could be even more life threatening. Preeclampsia/toxemia. I would love to have four more! I am just praying about it now!
I would love how ever many God decides to bless us with, however it looks like any future children who come into our lives will come through adoption.
I voted 13-15 but would take as many as the Lord saw fit to bless me with.
While dating, I said 3, hubby said 6! I remember telling him good luck finding THAT woman!
Fast forward almost 14 yrs: We now have 4 children (1st 3 planned, 4th was a surprise!)
It was after #4 that we finally decided to leave it in God’s hands. #4 is now 17 months… time will tell God’s plans for our lives!
Aww, Kaitlyn! You’re as sweet as apple pie.
If we haven’t said this before, (sorry if we did… you just get to hear it twice!) we loved getting to see y’all again! We’ll have to make it a Texas tradition!
love,
us
Hi! Actually not one of the categories suited me, but a billion and a half was funny. I’d say 7 to twelve. Seven OR twelve, actually. I like those numbers. But I suppose it won’t work out that way. I kind of hope there’s enough time on this earth for children (I’m highly unmarried right now).
I didn’t vote. I like kids but don’t want any of my own, so I couldn’t in good conscience pick the “kids stink” option.