Is there such a thing? Can a person have too many babies? Well, from a practical standpoint, if they have to rely on the government to assist them financially yes. But what if they have no troubles supporting themselvels? First, I must speak unbiased about this: If you can support 15 children yourself while maintaining a healthy and relatively happy atmosphere, that’s your business. More power to you. That is the case with the this one family in Arkansas. You can also read more about them here.
However, I must warn you that I’m going to go off on a very selfish, self-absorbed rant here. Sure, I’m jealous. I look at that family and all their children and think, “How come they get to have all those beautiful children? Why couldn’t God have given me one of them instead?” Those thoughts turn to wondering if it is because of their devout worship of God. Maybe I haven’t gone to church enough or lived as God would like me to? Is that why I have to suffer with infertility? Now, I know those are all very silly thoughts. Not a grain of truth in any of it. I am infertile simply because I am and God is here to help me through it, not inflict it upon me. I still can’t help but look at that family and have all the dark, insecure and jealous thoughts come out to play. There’s also the part of me that thinks what they’re doing is wrong, wrong, wrong. There is no privacy in that house? Older children are responsible for younger children… but they’re just children themselves? The girls are raised to believe that the only choice for women is to stay at home and raise a large family. What if, God forbid, one of them is infertile? The chances are high and how horrible for that girl, who could possibly be led to think she has no worth in society because of it?
On the other hand, I feel sad for the children. I grew up the fifth of five children in a Catholic family. I was the youngest by an easy eight years and obviously, not planned. I’m forever grateful for the upbringing I had. I never was in need of anything. Except maybe attention. I guess by the time I showed up, my parents needed a break. Whatever the reason, I was often cared for by my older siblings and after they grew up and left the house, I was old enough to stay by myself while my parents were out playing bridge or going on trips. If there is anything I feel I missed, it’s quality time. Regardless of the amount of children they had, my parents were never overly demonstrative people. I never got a lot of hugs and kisses and can’t really recall being told, “I love you.” Now, before you think I’m throwing a pity party or you start feeling really sorry for myself, as a kid I didn’t really notice. I thought my life was just fine, thank you very much, and I couldn’t have asked for anything better.
But as an adult, looking back, it makes me sad. I can’t imagine not lavishing hugs and kisses on my little boy or telling him every day how much I love him. And my seemingly endless battle with infertility and loss has only made me that more appreciative of every moment I have with him. Do I miss the attention from my parents now that I’m an adult? You bet. So while those children may not think now that their lives are lacking anything (If they do, they do, I didn’t see the show), but they may when they’re older. And that’s just sad. Because there is no way those parents have time to spend even just fifteen minutes alone with their children every day.
Anyhow, just thought I would weigh on this topic, which has caused such heated debate at Julie’s blog. I’m not looking to start a debate here, but I did want to air my thoughts on the whole matter. More for my own self reflection than anything else. Take from it what you will.
I was really surprised that they didn’t give the Oscar to Martin Scorsese, especially considering “The Aviator” took nearly every other award it was nominated for. But, as K pointed out, perhaps they were making up for last year and not giving Clint the Best Director award for “Mystic River”. Darn that “Lord of the Rings”. 
