Too many kids?
I was catching up with our new friend suburbancorrespondent's blog over the weekend and spotted a post some of you might like, especially if you've got three kids or more. (Suburbancorrespondent has six.) It's a list called "How To Know You May Have Too Many Kids."
Even though I only have two kids, I will cop to #7 ("Going to the grocery store alone counts as 'me-time' ") and #2 ("When you call the doctor to tell him that the toddler has croup, and he asks if she's ever had it before, you say, "I don't know, but somebody has.")
I will say, however, that my pediatrician has actually recommended the book "Siblings Without Rivalry" on a number of occasions when I've asked her how to help my kids do better at sharing. Here's where I have to admit I never got time to read it -- sorry, Dr. B -- but one of the recommendations from the doctor that I believe came from it did work. More on that in my siblings post later (I promised you a follow-up to last Monday's consult.)
Meanwhile, would love to hear what you'd add to suburbancorrespondent's list. Tell us below.
Baltimoresun.com's 
Comments
Simply stated: You MAY have too many children when they outnumber the parents. But seriously, I think too many is defined by what your lifestyle can handle, meaning can you manage it econimically and psychologically.
Posted by: Robert | April 14, 2008 12:27 PM
Aack - personal disclaimer - I love having lots of kids, and (in my opinion) there is no such thing as "too many." The list is just a humorous look at the challenges of raising a tribe!
So, Robert - can I handle it psychologically? Probably not, but it is sure fun trying!
Thanks for the shout-out...
Posted by: suburbancorrespondent | April 14, 2008 2:22 PM
I'm one of 7 kids and my only child is one of 19 grandkids. I think my cousins had some sort of bizarre fertility contest among them because each one has 6 or more kids.
I really wanted more but I love having one and being able to really enjoy each and every phase with her. And, we have some wonderful friends whom we see often who are like siblings to my daughter (but I don't have to care for or feed them).
Now, two dogs is too many : )
Posted by: edamommy | April 14, 2008 4:06 PM
I would love having lots of kids too and although the list is intended to be funny...I don't think there is any harm in acknowledging the fact that "too many" can be defined by not being able to provide a proper environment for them: physically, emotionally etc.
Posted by: Robert | April 14, 2008 4:53 PM