If money was no object, how many kids would you have?

[Anonymous]

Just the one. I'm not a kid person and this has been very trying. I feel zero desire for more, but I'd love to sponsor people who would make great parents who want to adopt.

[Anonymous]

For me, money is not the issue, but the worry about having a healthy baby. Number 2 took many years to conceive and was a difficult, scary pregnancy. Luckily, he is a healthy, happy baby, but the pregnancy took a lot out of dh and me. If conceiving and pregnancy were not an issue , I'd definitely go for a 3rd.

[Anonymous]

For me, age is more the issue. I'm coming on 42 this summer, and just a year and a half ago popped out child #2 after starting later rather than sooner.

All that being said, if age AND $ were on my side, I'd go for one more. One, cute, cuddly little one. And then maybe some foster children after these guyses got through middle school.

[Anonymous]

We have one child, and I wouldn't give birth to anymore. I would like to adopt 2-3 children if money were no object.

[Anonymous]

4 or more.

Interesting to see how many people are saying 3 and above. I think this reveals how many of us would love to have a big family.

If I had started when I was 25, and could space the kids out over 10+ years, and money was no concern, I would love to have a huge brood. Deep down, I think most people feel this way.

[Anonymous]

4 or 5.

[Anonymous]

We have two and are done. With a ton of money, I'd have 1-2 more, and hire help: errands, cooking, cleaning, babysitting! Basically outsource the drudge work I currently do.

[Anonymous]

For us, in reality age is the issue not money. Money and age aside, I always thought my answer would be a total of 4. Yet, life is full with my 1. I sometimes feel badly that she won't have a sibling, and if we weren't already AMA might consider a second, at the same time I don't know how my time and love could possibly stretch to accompany any more children because I adore her completely.

Tough question for me at this point in my life.

[Anonymous]

We'd have a much larger family 5 - 8 kids. Probably adopt some special needs kids.

[Anonymous]

We are older parents of a nearly 3 yr old and a 7M old (age 40 DD and me 39).

If we started at age 30 having kids and didn't have to worry about money, I'd go for 4. I'd have 2 of our own and adopt 2 more. I'd outsource cooking, cleaning and I'd have a nanny to help with the kids. Not to take our place but to help.

I grew up with a nanny from age 7 to about 16, and I loved the opportunity to have someone other than my parents to be with me. I was able to learn a couple new languages to boot. Not sure why people are so reticent about providing support for themselves in the form of a nanny if they can afford it - it's not necessairly forgoing your responsibilities as a parent but making life more manageable for you and your spouse as well allowing someone else to love your child and them to love back - it's a beautiful thing done right. To have as many people know and love your child is a gift you give to your child.

We currently are in a nannyshare and our nanny is family to us. She babysits on weekends sometimes and overnights for us on occasion. That she loves our children so much I feel she doubles as a "second mom" to my kids is something I am forever grateful for.

[Anonymous]

My 2. But I would also have a full time nanny and not work outside the home. I'd have time to love on my kids, go to all their activities and have some time to myself while they do playdates which I abhor. nanny can chaperone those. I'd travel a lot with them and nanny too. All over the world.

[Anonymous]

Keep my three, hire a nanny, housekeeper, personal assistant. Don't want any more because I don't want to be pregnant again, ever (although, I could hire a surrogate to carry the other kids...)

[Anonymous]

Money IS an object for us.

We have 9. I hope we are able to have 9 more.

[Anonymous]

4. Already have two but can't afford any more. I would use the $ for a larger house and a housekeeper. I would go parttime at work immediately so I would have more time with all of them.

[Anonymous]

Okay... so I grew up in DC, etc... and the idea that "you can't afford more" seems like crap to me. Yes, of course, - you can't afford more and maintain the lifestyle and standard of living... but you CAN make tradoffs if that's what your priority is (children over money/lifestyle).

And I'm not saying that children SHOULD be the priority, I'm just saying it doesn't sound to me in the cases where medical issues or age aren't the reasons to not have more children that it IS an option, but money IS more important.