I would add the rise of intensive parenting culture to this list. The standards around pregnancy and parenting are barely sustainable for a couple of kids, let alone a larger family. I also think potential grandparents should be encouraged to offer to provide as much care as they are able.
That’s so true. My four children did not experience what m grandchildren experience -a parent in tap or a grandparent to ‘play’ and give them undivided attention. My children had to learn to play with each other and amuse themselves- it was too busy and I had to work. The modern parent cannot do without us grandparents to take up the slack. I didn’t have that.
It’s so true that people need to literally see large families to know that they are, in fact, possible. “I can’t imagine that” and “I could never do that” are not that far apart, and both comments--especially the latter--show limited experience. As a mom of going-on-eight kids, and wife to my husband for nineteen years, I can definitely attest to the importance of being around people who’ve been married for a long time and raised lots of children together. Thanks for this.
I would add the rise of intensive parenting culture to this list. The standards around pregnancy and parenting are barely sustainable for a couple of kids, let alone a larger family. I also think potential grandparents should be encouraged to offer to provide as much care as they are able.
Great observation.
That’s so true. My four children did not experience what m grandchildren experience -a parent in tap or a grandparent to ‘play’ and give them undivided attention. My children had to learn to play with each other and amuse themselves- it was too busy and I had to work. The modern parent cannot do without us grandparents to take up the slack. I didn’t have that.
It’s so true that people need to literally see large families to know that they are, in fact, possible. “I can’t imagine that” and “I could never do that” are not that far apart, and both comments--especially the latter--show limited experience. As a mom of going-on-eight kids, and wife to my husband for nineteen years, I can definitely attest to the importance of being around people who’ve been married for a long time and raised lots of children together. Thanks for this.