h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Seems like the article's example is using the smallest number for a large family. I went to a freaky Catholic school where the average number of kids per family was in the double digits.

Some points I'd like to add:
1. Usually the eldest children end up being surrogate parents (typically eldest girls)

2. Politics in large families are very complicated. My father came from a family of 9 children, we (ie: my dad's family) only speak to three others after two (count them!) schisms over family inheritances, etc, etc. My mother-in-law who comes from a family of 10 also has this problem.

3. Kids in the middle often suffer an enormous sense of being "lost amongst the crowd", being neither in a position of responsibility nor a young, "cutie". Thus, don't get anywhere near the attention of the others.

We have five children,and we feel that for nowadays that is quite a handful,people often ask us "Are they all yours?" rather incredulously,I find people often only have two or three on average.This is from the same marriage,incidentally,we have been married for 13 and a half years and are both 39...it is very busy at our house and the oldest child says he will only have one so thay can everything they want when he grows up(he is at the lovely age of 12,knows everything,parents are dumb and mean...you know...)I love him dearly but he can certainly try my patience.Can other parents relate to all of this,I would love to have a conversation with you!Susan.

Hi Susan

I am a married mother of 5 children. I am 26. We plan on having more children, but this is due to a few things,

Early menopause runs in my family (gran age 30 mom age 35)
Uterine cancer runs in my family (mom and grandmother both had hysterectomies in late 30's).

I would have been heartbroken if I hadn't had children. I will be devestated when I can no longer have anymore, but will adore the grandchildren.

I feel that my kids are happy, they are all 18-22 months apart, eldest is 7 youngest is 7 months!

My mother had 5.

I disagree with the article when it says parents won't care for the elder children later on.

I had an awful childhood filled with abuse and I will make sure each and everyone of my children are loved.

I Have four and one on the way my husband and i would ideally like six so as they say they may come into the ark two by two. 2 teenagers who have suddenly become the kids from hell. Two littlies who just want to be grown up like there big sisters and our soon to be new baby who we feel will be lonley on its own.I hate the looks i get from people when they realise that we are going to have five.Ilove having a big family and feel that none go without although it can be a struggle it is so nice to find another chaotic household like mine.Any Mums with lots od (darling)children would like to chat i would love to hear from you.I may not feel as if im the only mad one to enjoy this amount of kids.