Instagram posts of huge families

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child psych professor in college said that more than 3 kids make it a daycare, not a family. She came from a big family.

I’m one of four and had an idyllic childhood. I think it depends on resources. My parents are also highly educated. We all went to private school, did private music and sports lessons and whatever activities we wanted. We are all three years apart and my mon stayed home until youngest went to school so that probably helped.

I am sure you had. Also, it could be her private opinion, not a professional one. It stuck with me because my spouse and I are both disorganized and low-energy (and ADHD), and our mental resources are limited. A 4+ kid family in our case would be miserable for the said kids, despite us having the funds for the private lessons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child psych professor in college said that more than 3 kids make it a daycare, not a family. She came from a big family.

I’m one of four and had an idyllic childhood. I think it depends on resources. My parents are also highly educated. We all went to private school, did private music and sports lessons and whatever activities we wanted. We are all three years apart and my mon stayed home until youngest went to school so that probably helped.

I must run in jaded circles but I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone call their own childhood idyllic.

[Anonymous]

[twitter]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child psych professor in college said that more than 3 kids make it a daycare, not a family. She came from a big family.

I’m one of four and had an idyllic childhood. I think it depends on resources. My parents are also highly educated. We all went to private school, did private music and sports lessons and whatever activities we wanted. We are all three years apart and my mon stayed home until youngest went to school so that probably helped.

I must run in jaded circles but I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone call their own childhood idyllic.

Maybe? I had a great childhood. I have great parents and I loved growing up in a big family. It was fun and exciting. Somebody always had a friend over and there was always someone to play with. Our grandparents lived nearby and we were close to them. My mom was very dedicated to our academics and spent a lot of time with us to ensure we thrived at school, got us tutors when needed. She also made it a priority that we participated in good extracurriculars/lessons from a young age and went to great sleepaway camps in the summer. We really enjoyed our family vacations together. We laughed a lot. A huge part of this lifestyle is one spouse being a high earner. That unlocks a lot of flexibility and resources. My husband and I both work and aren’t ultra high income, so I’m not able to replicate the experience I had for my own kids- and I don’t have 4 of them. But with the right parental attention, resources, and spacing, a reasonably large family can thrive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child psych professor in college said that more than 3 kids make it a daycare, not a family. She came from a big family.

A lot of women just see it as a ticket to never work again.

Because having 4+ kids is no work at all…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Im fascinated by big families! I only have one child, and I dont have instagram, but if I did im sure I would watch this content! Its just such an odd concept to me to have more than say 5 kids. How do they feed them? Where do they live? What type of activities do they do? Are the kids happy? I have so many questions. I dont know any of these families in real life, so I can understand that their might be a market to view from afar (and judge).

My friend has three and has to go to the grocery store every other day to feed them.

I have one and go to the grocery store every day. What’s your point?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It certainly is an accomplishment to raise such a large family. If you don't like the content don't click it. It wouldn't be of interest to me, but good for them and apparently some people want to watch it.

No, it's not.

lol what?? Do you hate women?

np what an interesting response! I would say we love women more because the main purpose of women isn't just to pop out a million babies! Trust me I have cousins that came from big families and the moms were definitely overworked and had very drudgery lives ( not saying these women do) But purely from a biological stand point women's bodies aren't made for that and I am sure there when they get older they will have problems. My one aunt ( who had 9 ) never even knew her likes and dislikes because she was so overworked. Life shouldn't be drudgery and let's face it having 10 kids and raising them well is an achievement. Having them is not. Most people can not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[twitter]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child psych professor in college said that more than 3 kids make it a daycare, not a family. She came from a big family.

I’m one of four and had an idyllic childhood. I think it depends on resources. My parents are also highly educated. We all went to private school, did private music and sports lessons and whatever activities we wanted. We are all three years apart and my mon stayed home until youngest went to school so that probably helped.

I must run in jaded circles but I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone call their own childhood idyllic.

Maybe? I had a great childhood. I have great parents and I loved growing up in a big family. It was fun and exciting. Somebody always had a friend over and there was always someone to play with. Our grandparents lived nearby and we were close to them. My mom was very dedicated to our academics and spent a lot of time with us to ensure we thrived at school, got us tutors when needed. She also made it a priority that we participated in good extracurriculars/lessons from a young age and went to great sleepaway camps in the summer. We really enjoyed our family vacations together. We laughed a lot. A huge part of this lifestyle is one spouse being a high earner. That unlocks a lot of flexibility and resources. My husband and I both work and aren’t ultra high income, so I’m not able to replicate the experience I had for my own kids- and I don’t have 4 of them. But with the right parental attention, resources, and spacing, a reasonably large family can thrive.

\

You had a great childhood but, how about your mom?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[twitter]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child psych professor in college said that more than 3 kids make it a daycare, not a family. She came from a big family.

I’m one of four and had an idyllic childhood. I think it depends on resources. My parents are also highly educated. We all went to private school, did private music and sports lessons and whatever activities we wanted. We are all three years apart and my mon stayed home until youngest went to school so that probably helped.

I must run in jaded circles but I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone call their own childhood idyllic.

Maybe? I had a great childhood. I have great parents and I loved growing up in a big family. It was fun and exciting. Somebody always had a friend over and there was always someone to play with. Our grandparents lived nearby and we were close to them. My mom was very dedicated to our academics and spent a lot of time with us to ensure we thrived at school, got us tutors when needed. She also made it a priority that we participated in good extracurriculars/lessons from a young age and went to great sleepaway camps in the summer. We really enjoyed our family vacations together. We laughed a lot. A huge part of this lifestyle is one spouse being a high earner. That unlocks a lot of flexibility and resources. My husband and I both work and aren’t ultra high income, so I’m not able to replicate the experience I had for my own kids- and I don’t have 4 of them. But with the right parental attention, resources, and spacing, a reasonably large family can thrive.

\

You had a great childhood but, how about your mom?

Did she have a good life? Get to experience fun stuff that she wanted to enjoy? have time for friends?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child psych professor in college said that more than 3 kids make it a daycare, not a family. She came from a big family.

A lot of women just see it as a ticket to never work again.

For money

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Im fascinated by big families! I only have one child, and I dont have instagram, but if I did im sure I would watch this content! Its just such an odd concept to me to have more than say 5 kids. How do they feed them? Where do they live? What type of activities do they do? Are the kids happy? I have so many questions. I dont know any of these families in real life, so I can understand that their might be a market to view from afar (and judge).

Here: I have six so I'll answer some of your questions. Two are step kids that live with us full time, and two are adults and out of the house so we have four at home. Our table seats ten and the kids take turns having to set the table and play sous chef, and we live in an apartment. Three share a room, and one has a (small-ish) room to themselves. They do the activities they like - one does a lot of plays, one does dance and school newspaper, etc. They are overall happy, and like all kids get upset sometimes. I am not on Instagram and can't imagine putting my kids on there publicly for strangers to see/judge, or to make money off my kids.

So, the kids are crammed in one room and have to do everything themselves like cook. They only get basic school activities. I think you just proved the concerns.

The three girls who share have a big bedroom (it's the same size as the primary) and definitely don't "do everything themselves." Yes, we expect our kids to help get dinner on the table. Yes, we are aiming to send our kids out into the world knowing how to cook some basic things, but also how to seek out recipes and follow them. They also know how to fold a fitted sheet. There's nothing wrong with the kids' activities - they all pursue their interests. Stop trying to create problems where there are none.

That's not really that an important skill!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[twitter]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child psych professor in college said that more than 3 kids make it a daycare, not a family. She came from a big family.

I’m one of four and had an idyllic childhood. I think it depends on resources. My parents are also highly educated. We all went to private school, did private music and sports lessons and whatever activities we wanted. We are all three years apart and my mon stayed home until youngest went to school so that probably helped.

I must run in jaded circles but I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone call their own childhood idyllic.

Maybe? I had a great childhood. I have great parents and I loved growing up in a big family. It was fun and exciting. Somebody always had a friend over and there was always someone to play with. Our grandparents lived nearby and we were close to them. My mom was very dedicated to our academics and spent a lot of time with us to ensure we thrived at school, got us tutors when needed. She also made it a priority that we participated in good extracurriculars/lessons from a young age and went to great sleepaway camps in the summer. We really enjoyed our family vacations together. We laughed a lot. A huge part of this lifestyle is one spouse being a high earner. That unlocks a lot of flexibility and resources. My husband and I both work and aren’t ultra high income, so I’m not able to replicate the experience I had for my own kids- and I don’t have 4 of them. But with the right parental attention, resources, and spacing, a reasonably large family can thrive.

\

You had a great childhood but, how about your mom?

Did she have a good life? Get to experience fun stuff that she wanted to enjoy? have time for friends?

My mom went back to work when I was 5 years old. Her career was flexible but she worked very hard and recently retired. It was a meaningful job to her. She generally loves to work, so she loved raising us and having her career. She has tons of friends and is really beloved in the community I grew up. She’s a very special person. If you ask her, she would say she wishes she’d had two more kids (but my dad was DONE after four.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[twitter]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child psych professor in college said that more than 3 kids make it a daycare, not a family. She came from a big family.

I’m one of four and had an idyllic childhood. I think it depends on resources. My parents are also highly educated. We all went to private school, did private music and sports lessons and whatever activities we wanted. We are all three years apart and my mon stayed home until youngest went to school so that probably helped.

I must run in jaded circles but I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone call their own childhood idyllic.

Maybe? I had a great childhood. I have great parents and I loved growing up in a big family. It was fun and exciting. Somebody always had a friend over and there was always someone to play with. Our grandparents lived nearby and we were close to them. My mom was very dedicated to our academics and spent a lot of time with us to ensure we thrived at school, got us tutors when needed. She also made it a priority that we participated in good extracurriculars/lessons from a young age and went to great sleepaway camps in the summer. We really enjoyed our family vacations together. We laughed a lot. A huge part of this lifestyle is one spouse being a high earner. That unlocks a lot of flexibility and resources. My husband and I both work and aren’t ultra high income, so I’m not able to replicate the experience I had for my own kids- and I don’t have 4 of them. But with the right parental attention, resources, and spacing, a reasonably large family can thrive.

\

You had a great childhood but, how about your mom?

Did she have a good life? Get to experience fun stuff that she wanted to enjoy? have time for friends?

My mom went back to work when I was 5 years old. Her career was flexible but she worked very hard and recently retired. It was a meaningful job to her. She generally loves to work, so she loved raising us and having her career. She has tons of friends and is really beloved in the community I grew up. She’s a very special person. If you ask her, she would say she wishes she’d had two more kids (but my dad was DONE after four.)

Also, for what it’s worth, my mom grew up as one of two and very specifically wanted a larger family as an adult. She was very committed to it.

[Anonymous]

Those are special people. We are Catholic and know a lot of 10 kid families. None of them are on instagram! That is such a time suck.

This sounds like Duggar-esque cult-like behavior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[twitter]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child psych professor in college said that more than 3 kids make it a daycare, not a family. She came from a big family.

I’m one of four and had an idyllic childhood. I think it depends on resources. My parents are also highly educated. We all went to private school, did private music and sports lessons and whatever activities we wanted. We are all three years apart and my mon stayed home until youngest went to school so that probably helped.

I must run in jaded circles but I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone call their own childhood idyllic.

Maybe? I had a great childhood. I have great parents and I loved growing up in a big family. It was fun and exciting. Somebody always had a friend over and there was always someone to play with. Our grandparents lived nearby and we were close to them. My mom was very dedicated to our academics and spent a lot of time with us to ensure we thrived at school, got us tutors when needed. She also made it a priority that we participated in good extracurriculars/lessons from a young age and went to great sleepaway camps in the summer. We really enjoyed our family vacations together. We laughed a lot. A huge part of this lifestyle is one spouse being a high earner. That unlocks a lot of flexibility and resources. My husband and I both work and aren’t ultra high income, so I’m not able to replicate the experience I had for my own kids- and I don’t have 4 of them. But with the right parental attention, resources, and spacing, a reasonably large family can thrive.

\

You had a great childhood but, how about your mom?

Did she have a good life? Get to experience fun stuff that she wanted to enjoy? have time for friends?

My mom went back to work when I was 5 years old. Her career was flexible but she worked very hard and recently retired. It was a meaningful job to her. She generally loves to work, so she loved raising us and having her career. She has tons of friends and is really beloved in the community I grew up. She’s a very special person. If you ask her, she would say she wishes she’d had two more kids (but my dad was DONE after four.)

Four is not the big 10 + Instagram families. I'm glad you had a happy childhood and your mom was happy too. Your dad was the smart one. Six is a whole lot of kids!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[twitter]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child psych professor in college said that more than 3 kids make it a daycare, not a family. She came from a big family.

I’m one of four and had an idyllic childhood. I think it depends on resources. My parents are also highly educated. We all went to private school, did private music and sports lessons and whatever activities we wanted. We are all three years apart and my mon stayed home until youngest went to school so that probably helped.

I must run in jaded circles but I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone call their own childhood idyllic.

Maybe? I had a great childhood. I have great parents and I loved growing up in a big family. It was fun and exciting. Somebody always had a friend over and there was always someone to play with. Our grandparents lived nearby and we were close to them. My mom was very dedicated to our academics and spent a lot of time with us to ensure we thrived at school, got us tutors when needed. She also made it a priority that we participated in good extracurriculars/lessons from a young age and went to great sleepaway camps in the summer. We really enjoyed our family vacations together. We laughed a lot. A huge part of this lifestyle is one spouse being a high earner. That unlocks a lot of flexibility and resources. My husband and I both work and aren’t ultra high income, so I’m not able to replicate the experience I had for my own kids- and I don’t have 4 of them. But with the right parental attention, resources, and spacing, a reasonably large family can thrive.

\

You had a great childhood but, how about your mom?

Did she have a good life? Get to experience fun stuff that she wanted to enjoy? have time for friends?

My mom went back to work when I was 5 years old. Her career was flexible but she worked very hard and recently retired. It was a meaningful job to her. She generally loves to work, so she loved raising us and having her career. She has tons of friends and is really beloved in the community I grew up. She’s a very special person. If you ask her, she would say she wishes she’d had two more kids (but my dad was DONE after four.)

Also, for what it’s worth, my mom grew up as one of two and very specifically wanted a larger family as an adult. She was very committed to it.

I'm the pp with cousins with big families ( we had only 3) For some of my cousins the reason they had babies ( and then fostered) is because the baby stage is so sweet. My cousin would let the older kids find for themselves. She didn't like kids with opinions ( which babies don't have) and we think she was avoiding life in a way. This is just our opinion so don't come at me! We never had the conversations so I don't know for sure.