The Great Baby Debate...This has been an ongoing saga at our house for the last 8 years. Should we stop? OR, should we have one more? It's always been easy for me...let's have more. I've always wanted a big family. Some girls grow up knowing they want to be a nurse or a teacher, I grew up knowing I wanted to be a mommy. I knew I wanted atleast four kids and that I wanted to be able to stay home with them. Well, I have six kids and the overwhelming urge to have more is not going away. I'm trying to figure out, when is it enough. Why do some people decide to have big families? Is it right or wrong to do so? And, will I ever be satisfied? Is it an urge I will always have? If that is the case, it's never going to be easy to "throw in the towel".
I have several thoughts on the issue. I can see both sides of the debate. I look at what I have and I am grateful. I have six beautiful, healthy kids; three boys and three girls. I mean, who gets that lucky? I kind of feel like have one more would be "pushing the envelope". How long can my lucky streak keep up? Most people think I 'm crazy for having six kids. I get really tired of hearing "are you done yet"? and "don't you two know how this happens"? I don't judge those who choose to have only one or two children, why do people feel the need to judge so harshly those who chose to have more than three or four? I have a hard time talking to others about my feelings on this issue because most people try to talk me out of it and point out the negatives. It makes me mad that no one sees the positive side of large families. Most people don't get me and are not very empathetic to my feelings on the matter. Including my husband.
Dean would have been happy to quit after two. I can't even imagine what that would have been like. I guess, we would have more money, we would go more places, and do more things. But, I don't feel like any of my kids are lacking in any areas. I guess some could argue "attention". But, I think Dean and I try to take time to do things with each of our kids one on one.
I can talk myself into making a decision either way depending on the day. I just can't commit one way or the other. I would like to hear some thoughts from other women on the matter. What made you decide to stop having children?
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Jalas Six Pack
My name is Jennifer and this is the first time I have ever blogged. I have decided to give it a try because I have a lot to say and I thought maybe it would give my husbands ear a rest. He might even start to like me again. HA! I suppose I should first tell you about myself. I am a stay at home mom. We have six kids ranging in age from 11 to 5 months. I have three boys and three girls. Honestly, who gets that lucky? Most days I like what I do, but I do have days where I would rather have a root canal than stay home with my children (if you know me, you know how much I hate the dentist). But overall, I know I am very blessed and wouldn't trade my life for anything.
I am going to tell you a little bit about each of my kids so you can get an idea of their personalities and feel like you know them when I talk about them. I have come up with one word that best describes each of them idividually. I will start with the oldest.
The word that best describes Kaleb is funny. Kaleb has always been funny, even as a baby. He has a super personality that is going to take him far in life. People like to be around him because he makes them laugh. I was reading letters his classmates wrote him last year and they all commented on his sense of humor and what a good friend he is...I couldn't ask for more for my child.
Haley is serious. Don't make jokes, because they are not funny. I didn't realize raising a daughter was going to be such an uphill battle. Then add 2 or 3 friends to the mix and you have a heavy dose of chaos. She is very sweet and nurturing when she wants to be, but has a very serious side too. This is no laughing matter.
Prison is what comes to mind when I think of Abby, but I'm trying to keep this positive so I'm going to say energetic. She has lots of energy and it doesn't always come out in a positve way. She can be so sweet and so loving, but don't make her mad. Here is a nursery rhyme that sums up Abby: There was a little girl who had a little curl in the middle of her forehead. When she was good, she was very good. When she was bad, she was horrid.
Tyler is a homeboy. I don't mean he is a "gangsta from the hood". Ty likes to be home and he likes all of his family to be home too. He has been pacing the floors all week thus far because he doesn't know what to do with himself while "his kids" are at school. I'm hoping next week goes better when he starts pre-school.
Bailey is independent. She does not need help, so don't ask. I still think of her as a baby and want to hold her, and she is ready to leave the nest for college. I just wish she would decide to go potty by herself so I could once again have only one child in diapers.
Carter is the baby, so he is cute. He loves me and needs me. To him, I am the "Dairy Queen". He is always happy to see me, and I can usually make him happy (which is more than I can say for the rest of them). Snuggling with him in the recliner at night is the perfect ending to my busy days.
There they are, the "Six Pack". Sometimes I think having kids is like being pecked to death by chickens. They keep me busy, but I wouldn't trade them for the world.
Jen
I am going to tell you a little bit about each of my kids so you can get an idea of their personalities and feel like you know them when I talk about them. I have come up with one word that best describes each of them idividually. I will start with the oldest.
The word that best describes Kaleb is funny. Kaleb has always been funny, even as a baby. He has a super personality that is going to take him far in life. People like to be around him because he makes them laugh. I was reading letters his classmates wrote him last year and they all commented on his sense of humor and what a good friend he is...I couldn't ask for more for my child.
Haley is serious. Don't make jokes, because they are not funny. I didn't realize raising a daughter was going to be such an uphill battle. Then add 2 or 3 friends to the mix and you have a heavy dose of chaos. She is very sweet and nurturing when she wants to be, but has a very serious side too. This is no laughing matter.
Prison is what comes to mind when I think of Abby, but I'm trying to keep this positive so I'm going to say energetic. She has lots of energy and it doesn't always come out in a positve way. She can be so sweet and so loving, but don't make her mad. Here is a nursery rhyme that sums up Abby: There was a little girl who had a little curl in the middle of her forehead. When she was good, she was very good. When she was bad, she was horrid.
Tyler is a homeboy. I don't mean he is a "gangsta from the hood". Ty likes to be home and he likes all of his family to be home too. He has been pacing the floors all week thus far because he doesn't know what to do with himself while "his kids" are at school. I'm hoping next week goes better when he starts pre-school.
Bailey is independent. She does not need help, so don't ask. I still think of her as a baby and want to hold her, and she is ready to leave the nest for college. I just wish she would decide to go potty by herself so I could once again have only one child in diapers.
Carter is the baby, so he is cute. He loves me and needs me. To him, I am the "Dairy Queen". He is always happy to see me, and I can usually make him happy (which is more than I can say for the rest of them). Snuggling with him in the recliner at night is the perfect ending to my busy days.
There they are, the "Six Pack". Sometimes I think having kids is like being pecked to death by chickens. They keep me busy, but I wouldn't trade them for the world.
Jen
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