Now that I am expecting #3, I am shocked at the amount of people who tell me, "I thought you were done. You have your girl and your boy already"--as if this is really the ultimate accomplishment in child-rearing.

I can't imagine what comments will come when I actually have three little ones with me!!

For me it was a very striking difference. We went from two and being invisible to four and being the center of attention. Of course the twin thing only adds to the excitement, especially since Max and Rebecca are like night and day in appearance.

I respect you, but I can't understand you.

I am an introvert in a clinical sense. I spend a certain amount of time being outgoing, then I have to withdraw and be alone to restoke. I take a day out of two weeks as it is.

That isn't an option with motherhood.

Welcome to the life of "large families".

Anytime I tell someone I have 6 kids, they either say "whew!" or look like I am an idiot.

Once in a while I get an approving nod from someone who either HAS a lot of kids or came from a family with a lot of kids.

Those would be the times (and are for me, too, actually, even though I only have one on the hoof and one in the oven--people STILL ask, and no, I can't believe it) when I'm tempted to go into a cringe-inducing account of our contraceptive history. I figure the nosy deserve it. And it's no ruder to seriously discuss diaphragm failure, chronic UTIs, the ethics of contraception, and future vasectomy plans than to ask the questions leading up to this ... :)

On a side note, after enduring lots of "Take that noisy baby out of here!" glares in various venues whenever the infant Squid squawked, nursed too loudly, or sighed, I had the refreshing experience of taking her to an Ash Wednesday service at the local Catholic church, where the little old ladies all beamed at her fondly and chatted with me about how her squeaks reminded them of their eighth baby, who used to do the same thing.

I have four as well. I have a 16yog and a 14yob and than have a 3yob and a 1yob. I get remarks all the time. I thought I wanted a dozen kids but my quiver is quite full at 4. But I cheer on people with 4 or more kids. Considering I know families with 7,12, and 24 *eight natural and the rest by adoption*

We have 9 (one adopted), from age 25 down to 6 months. It used to bug me when people asked those stupid questions--irritating mostly when the questioner thinks he's being funny and doesn't realize that he's the 47th person to make that lame joke ("You DO know what's causing these babies, right? Ha ha ha!").

But now I find it easier to assume they mean well, and I enjoy the opportunity to be a sign of contradiction against certain forces in our culture--the anti-child forces, the forces of compulsory sterility, middle class materialism, excessive seriousness--and to be a sort of commercial for certain goods that are being suppressed: children, family, marriage, hope for the future, love, full-blown undiminished sex, humanness.

Maybe next time someone makes a snide remark, I'll say, "You're welcome! We're breeding the workers whose payroll taxes will fund your social security benefits."

AMEN! I *only* have 3, but even I get those nosy questions. I completely agree. It's rude and none of your business when or if I'm done.

SO BACK OFF!! ::raises fingers pointed like guns ala Yosemite Sam::

Hi there from the other part of the spectrum. we have one child, and are contemplating an increase. But the "you'd better have another one soon, you don't want much of an age gap" and "he needs a brother or a sister," line is a bother too!

Big or small all families are a blessing.

You could always say, "No, my husband says four is plenty for any one woman to have. That's why he's married to five different women."

Oh yes. I understand.

As the father of four (two of each, ages 15 through 8) I understand your point; but, frankly, I'm so happy with, and proud of, my brood that I take any such comment as an unintended compliment. If ever provoked to respond,I will simply reasure my unwelcome questioner not to worry, as my bride and I are able to create, love, provide for, raise, educate, and civilize four souls, and plus, the sex is great!

Even so-called professionals are rude about this sort of thing. My youngest girls are a year and one day apart. When they were babies I went to the health unit on a hot muggy day. I was done there but a nurse asked me to wait a bit. Exhausted, with babies on each hip, I waited and waited, while two nurses rummaged through a disorganized storage cabinet. Eventually when I was at the point of collapse they handed me the goods. 12 brochures on birth control, family planning, etc. I have never been so disgusted in all my life. "I have three children," I said. "I'm not a total fool -- I know what is causing it!"

More insulting than even that was how carefully they kept hidden the effort they had in mind, while I was waiting.

Roberta, that may be the most obnoxious thing I've ever heard of in my life.

And Jordana, my response would be to smile sweetly and say "We're almost done. But I'm so glad I left the other five at home with my husband" and walk away while they mouth silently "NINE!!!????"

We are considering adoption. I generally either (a) want to discuss it endlessly, or (b) don't want to even think about it, and hate it when people bring up the subject.

Of course, no one else has any idea which mode I'm in at any given moment.

I'm doing a 2 part Thursday Thirteen on these comments and responses! We have 7 kids and have heard the works!
I have two favorite responses to the "You DO know what causes that, don't you." are 1. the funny "Yes, but we just LOOOVE pizza." and 2. the shocker "Yes, and we are really, REALLy good at it!"
My husband always says he is trying to take over the world, having one child to rule each country, hehe.

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