How has having lots of children improved your life and marriage and the lives of your children?

Aubrey C: How has having lots of children improved your life and marriage and the lives of your children?
Specifically, if you have more than 3 children, how do you think a large family helps the parents AND children? Did you have lots of children for spiritual reasons? Did you adopt? Do you notice more maturity, selflessness, caring and obedience in your children than other families with only one or two children?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Sam
I’m 35yrs with 4 children (all my own). I have three boys, ages 9, 7 and 3 and a baby girl who was born in Aug 2007.

My husband and I planned on having 2, MAYBE 3 kids at the most, but deep down I wanted a big family. I’m one of three and have step siblings as well and really enjoyed that large family atmosphere. I don’t know how I did it, but I talked my husband into having 4 kids.
I believe my children are the way there are because of my and my husband’s parenting methods, not because there are 4 of them. I’ve seen only children behave better than mine and only children behave worse. I honestly don’t think that has much of an impact on a child’s behavior. It’s how the parents react and teach that does.
Whether we had 1 child or 7 children, we would still treat and raise them the same way we do now. I think the only thing that is different about them compared to smaller families because of the number of children in our family is giving support. Whether it’s a soccer game, piano recital, school play etc, ALL OF US go to cheer that one on. They all have their chance to shine in front of the family.
Best Wishes =]