Dispelling the Myths about Large Families

Life with a large family is not always easy. But myths abound about the difficulties of raising children in a large family, and many people do not understand why anyone would choose to have more than two or three kids. Today we are going to dispel some myths about having a large family and explain why it can be such an amazing blessing!

The Lord has blessed my husband and me with eight children. In that, we quickly found out that there are many myths about large families! When the kids were younger, and we went places as a family, we would see heads turning as they mentally counted, “1,2,3…”

We also got lots of comments like, “Are they ALL yours?!”

Often people would say to me, “You must have a lot of patience.” 

The truth is that I’ve more so ran out of patience with those types of comments. The world looks at people with large families and says, “You’re crazy!” But God says children are a heritage and reward. 

According to the Bible, children are a blessing or gift from the Lord. The world is telling us many things that just aren’t true about large families.

Dispelling the Myths about Large Families

There are actually many benefits to having more children: The kids play well together, we have someone to watch them when we need or want a break from parenting, they often do their own chores, and more.

One of the most common myths I hear is that people think I must be special or some type of superwoman.

The truth is that I’m just like you! My husband worked full time outside the home, we went to church on Sunday mornings, we grocery shopped, did chores together, and spent time with family too! There was nothing “special” or unique about me and I didn’t have a superpower of patience!

You can’t afford to have a large family today.

The Bible tells us that God will supply all our needs. Many times people who say this really mean they can’t have a large family AND the high standard of living they desire. God says, “And having food and raiment, let us be content.”

We found it was a huge blessing to see God supply our needs, and also to have to trust Him for those needs. Our kids have seen God supply, and have learned to trust Him as a result. Maybe we couldn’t afford the best of everything, but we felt blessed to have eight gifts from the Lord.

My kids drive me crazy! I can’t get everything done!

Often the folks saying this are giving away the fact that they aren’t disciplining their children, and they are too busy with themselves!

Yes, my kids drove me crazy sometimes too, but I found over the years that has usually been the case when I’m too busy doing what I want to get done, and I resent being bothered. Other times it’s because I’ve slacked off on discipline, and am not requiring instant obedience.

I always enjoyed going out to eat when the kids were younger. We got a lot of stares due to our large group, but often as we were leaving, we heard comments like, “Your kids are so well behaved!” People aren’t used to seeing kids that mind are pleasant to be around. Therefore, they believe several kids would drive you crazy!

As for, “How do you get everything done?”, the world looks at children and sees WORK. Yes, much work is involved. But, I see them as helpers!

If you train your kids to help, you are able to manage things easier, and they learn character. You’re also training them to work for the Lord!

I get so bored and feel unfulfilled just being a mother.

I remember when a young lady from church told me that when she had children she planned to stay home with them and quit working. In response to that, a friend had told her, “You’ll stay home for a while, but then you’ll get bored!”

Well, that’s true IF you feel that raising kids isn’t serving God, and isn’t of eternal value. And yes, you may feel ‘unfulfilled” IF you expect to accomplish all your goals.

Here’s God’s answer. Get excited about molding and training Godly children!

What an opportunity and a challenge! Do all you can to learn how to train your kids in God’s way.

Rather than being ‘bored”, you’ll find that you are growing as you look to God for help and wisdom, and as you die to self to meet the needs of those children.

All of these myths stem from the idea that children are a bother, not a blessing. As Christian parents, we need to replace that worldly attitude with the idea that what we’re doing is a Godly investment. 

The Bible says we will reap what we sow. We are sowing to reap men and women who will be spiritual warriors and give their lives to serve God. What a blessed privilege!

Again, people often think you need more patience, time, and money than most people have. Don’t let these myths keep you from having a large family! People think they could never handle it, but I just want to affirm what I’ve heard God tell me over the years: My children are not a burden, but rather “blessings in my life”–a gift from Him! It is always worth it for such gifts!