Re:How can families afford children?
by cimmanom on Tuesday March 06, 2018 @12:41PM
(#16530404)
The large families I know each have one full-time homemaker (Mom or Dad) and no other family nearby. They depend heavily on the older children to help out.
For instance, an 8-year-old can do laundry (except for carrying the basket), or vacuum, or prepare sandwiches for the entire family's lunches. A 12-year-old can change diapers, assist in the kitchen, or keep an eye on younger children of any age for an hour or two while Mom and Dad are a couple rooms away cooking or doing other chores. In some states, a 15-year-old can drive siblings to school; and in most a 17-year-old can drive them to other destinations.
One thing I've noticed is that the children in these families are much more mature, responsible, and independent than children of similar ages in 1-3 child families.
For instance, an 8-year-old can do laundry (except for carrying the basket), or vacuum, or prepare sandwiches for the entire family's lunches. A 12-year-old can change diapers, assist in the kitchen, or keep an eye on younger children of any age for an hour or two while Mom and Dad are a couple rooms away cooking or doing other chores. In some states, a 15-year-old can drive siblings to school; and in most a 17-year-old can drive them to other destinations.
One thing I've noticed is that the children in these families are much more mature, responsible, and independent than children of similar ages in 1-3 child families.