Larger families are nicer - The pros and the cons

I always wanted more siblings. If it was any easier I would do it in a heart beat. Yeah we would absolutely love one or two more around so I can get a complete work out.

Here are the pros:

Life is interesting... there is always something happening with someone at some time or the other. Free time becomes more valuable and hence more productive. You feel satisfied and fulfilled that you are doing something with your life.

It becomes easier - You have to trust me on this. The older kids take on some responsibilities. The younger ones can be attended to by the older siblings. Someone can read them a story and someone else can feed them or tuck them in if they want some pampering. You don't have to do it all. The younger ones and have more examples to follow and the older ones become a second set of parents which is just beautiful to watch.

Cleaning up becomes second nature - Human beings are messy. We collect clutter, we spill crumbs... we procrastinate .... in a family of six or seven, everyone has to clean surfaces that they use as they go because putting off cleaning for later means having to clean up a bigger mess.

It's a play date and a sleep over every day - Its a party every day. With the challenges come the lighter moments, the fun, the giggling, the secrets and the noise - yes quiet time has to be scheduled in.

The kids are more understanding - They know that you have to spread yourself out thin so they learn patience, they learn to wait for their turn, they are more forgiving and loving. It's not all about them and time has to be shared among everyone just like everything else.

You almost always have a soft and cuddly baby in the house for everyone to fuss over. I cant get enough of the baby skin and wobbly thighs. The giggles are just out of this world. its worth the pain. its worth the scribbles on the wall. There's always someone to play tag with and the laughter and joy brings such a good feeling to wake up to.

The older kiddos will buckle in the younger ones so all you have to do is drive. That's pretty nice.

When they are older  they have each other to turn to. You know they wont be alone and that they will always be there for each other. You just have to make sure that you raise them right and fill their hearts with love.

You are at peace - When you are old, there are more people to take care of you, more grands and when you die you have more people to pray for you.

You can save a bit on the taxes and you get a lot of love from society. People empathize with you. They offer help even without you having to ask.

Cons

Its is complicated no doubt - each child is a different age and have different emotional needs. You have to switch tone and expressions depending on the child you are dealing with and sometimes you are too exhausted for all that processing.

Its hard to give quality one on one time - Dad finds a way to this but for mum sometimes its hard to do this every day. Mum is usually the one cleaning up after dinner and putting the babies down so dad does the tucking in. Its a wonderful time to catch up in the days events and to dream together for the future but mum doesn't always get a big share of this time

Outings are like field trips - you have to count everybody in and hold everyone's hands or use a buddy system.

Crossing the street is a nightmare Yup... you have to look left, right center, backwards and forwards at the same time while carrying one, holding the other and hoping to God that the others will just follow.