Don’t stay speechless when someone comments on the size of your large family. Check out Answers to Comments About the Size of Your Large Family
Comments About the Size of Your Large Family
Ever since 4.0 came into the picture I’ve gotten use to receiving comments from complete strangers and although I know most are trying to be funny or witty, to most moms with a lot of kids they can be downright annoying. Now that I’m pregnant with 5.0 these comments have become even more frequent and I get it. Nothing makes more people open their mouths and have diarrhea of the mouth more then when they see a woman with a pregnant belly walk by with 4 little ducklings behind her. However, when you’re dealing with a woman with a lot of a kids or a pregnant woman with a lot of kids don’t be surprised if you get some equally witty answers;)
So mamas with big families, here’s a compilations of comebacks I’ve used or at least thought of when faced with the inevitable comment from strangers.
Are they all yours?
-No I enjoy going through the neighborhood picking up stray children and bringing them to the store with me. There’s nothing more enjoyable than shopping with all these kids.
-No I’ve collected random children and use them for various tasks around the house. Cheaper than getting a maid.
You know what causes that don’t you?
-No,apparently I don’t but when I find out you’ll be the first one I tell. 😀
-What causes what? Doesn’t the stork drop them off?
Are you done?
-Nope, still waiting for the perfect child.
-Nope still waiting for one that looks like me (And yes that’s what I usually answer because they’re all carbon copies of the hubby)
-Nope still waiting to get a call for a reality show, how else are we going to put them through college.
-Nope this is part of my diversified retirement plan, odds are one will be rich.
-Nope I need a few more to start a nice little sweat shop in our garage.
Do they have the same father?(YES they’ve asked me that before)
Usually I just stare at the person but in my mind I say “No, I like to pick out my kid’s fathers based on looks and ethnicity, creating the super child.” Still haven’t found it but will let you know what the perfect blend is 😀
You have your hands full!
-Not really I baby wear. Hand’s free Baby!
-Just doing my part to populate the world with a better quality of human.
Don’t you have a TV?
-If you think TV is better than the alternative then maybe you’re doing something wrong.
-If I didn’t have a TV I would have 2o.
Having a big family is not for everyone, I know the thought alone will make many women’s ovaries physically jump out of their body. However, I wouldn’t change the chaos and fun for anything in the world. Most important I can’t for a second imagine my life without any of these kids. Either way I know most people mean well and they’re just amazed at the shear awesomeness moms with lots of kids emanate. So enjoy the kids enjoy the chaos and enjoy the shock value your family brings to all those around you 🙂 No one ever said I wish I hadn’t had so many kids 🙂
PS: We should remember that as much as we hate people making comments about our large families, people with small families or one child hate comments directed at them. Many times the size of their family is beyond their control. I remember when the hubby and I couldn’t get pregnant I had someone come up to me on Mothers’ day and tell me “I can’t wish you A Mother’s day because you’re not even a mother” That killed me because they didn’t know we were trying so hard and 3 years after getting married still hadn’t been able to have a family. SO moral of the story don’t assume. 😀
What are some answers you’ve given people when they’ve made comments about the size of your family?
Looking for other fun parenting posts? Check out 7 reasons why 5 kids are easier than 1
Comments & Reviews
Having a large family is totally irresponsible. Parents of large families are abusive. They never raise their children but ciphon the children to the oldest/older children to raise. Oldest children are THE TRUE PARENTS in large families. They don’t have a childhood because their formative years are spent raising your children. No parent can effectively raise a large brood of children by themselves. It is best for all concerned to have 1-2 children so YOU raise the children instead of your OLDEST/OLDER children. Also you are condemning your children to poverty & lack. Studies show that children from large families don’t have any intellectual nor cultural outlets because such are beyond the socioeconomic purview of the large family. Your children will never have music lessons, travel, see plays, nor go to dancing school. How EVIL you are! You must be uneducated to have a large number of children for no intelligent, educated person would want a large number of children that they CAN ILL afford. Stop being selfish & HAVE SMALL families so that your children can have a childhood exposed to the arts, good health care, good food & opportunities for a great education beyond the secondary school level. It is SELFISH, IRRESPONSIBLE people who have LARGE families. Also, over 90% of large families received outside assistance to stay afloat. I have studied large families & what you are advocating is WRONG. Any parent who has a large family should be reported to CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES for child abuse.
I wish I could tell you frankly what I think of your ignorant opinions, but I have too much class to use those words. Here’s what I will say though: My husband and I had two biological children and adopted five (of different races and I bet that you have some negative opinion on that.) Their father is a professor at a major university and I was a PT social worker. Our children had music lessons, participated in whatever sports they wished, and traveled around the world with us. They turned out to be productive members of society and each is a terrific parent themselves. Oooops! There goes your bigoted assumption.
They ask about my husband’s job, and I tell them I’m creating my own police force.
redactle unlimited
Thanks for the helpful information you shared with us.
I have 13 kids, with most now grown and out of the home, and only 3 left at home. Usually when asked how many kids I have, and I say 13, most people just don’t know what to say, so that solves that problem, LOL!! I love having a big family!
Haha! I wish I had more people go speechless with my 6!! HAHA Maybe I need to have a few more.lol I love having a big family too!
Have you ever had someone ask you “do you run a daycare?”
I have friends who have big families and that is a question they get.
I got the “you know how that happens” at the grocery store one day (5 kids) I just said “yep!! Taught high school biology for 14 years… which part did you need me to clarify for you?” The lady almost passed out on the spot ?
I don’t get asked that, but at our family reunion that included four races of our human race, we did get asked what church group we were. The kids got a good laugh out of that. ☺️
I usually pick on my hubby, yes he has been there a few times, and jokinglyrics say I slept through the whole thing. Otherwise I just tell them I wouldn’t trade it for the world or that we still had empty seats in our mini van. ?
My husband is a police officer and I tell them I’m working on my own department!
People are curious by nature. Yes, some of these questions are rude and intrusive, but others are just genuine curiosity about a site that isn’t seen as often anymore. Larger families are not the norm anymore. I’ve got two kids of my own but have spent lots of time watching my 3 young brothers. I often get the “are they all yours” question but was never offended by it. I took it as a compliment, as in, “you look too young to have so many kids.” Maybe it’s more annoying if you get questions constantly, but in general I think people mean well and are just curious and trying to make conversation.
I’m from a family of 12 children. All from the same parents, no twins, 18 years from oldest to youngest.
You can only guess at how many looks, pointing fingers and comments we got while growing up! The most common question we were asked was “Are you catholic?”. I never understood that till I was older.
I have 2 little ones and expecting our third soon. To me, 3 children is very few but we’ve already had rude comments such as “You know, those things are expensive!” “I guess I’m happy if you guys are.” Etc. Those are from my hubby’s mother and grandmother!
What’s wrong with people??
Oh well. I love my children and hope to have more! 🙂
Haha I love it!!! I am always stared at when I am out and about with all my kids. Normally no one says anything but I’ll have these in my back pocket for if they do 😉
When people ask us if we know what causes “that”, my hubby tells them that we do know, and we’re really good at it! haha
Lately the one that annoys me is “You’re outnumbered!” Sure, from a math standpoint we are, but my kids aren’t exactly running wild here.
Who are these people? I would never ask rude questions like these. Must be so annoying.
We only have one little with one on the way and a big family doesn’t appeal to us but kudos to those who enjoy a lot of kids! And I love a good snarky comeback. How about this one…..”they just followed us home one day, you know what they say about feeding them! And now They just won’t leave!” Or maybe something like ” yes, they’re all mine, people get really upset when you try to take theirs!”
I had six altogether with my hubby of 31+ years. I got it from family suggesting that I slept around because each of the kids look different. With my grandmother stating that one, that really got me mad.
Then I got that the world was overpopulated by my aunt and uncle. I just told them that with all the abortions in the world me having a few extra just won’t hurt at all.
Hilarious how everyone thinks it’s their business to comment on other peoples’ lives! We’re on the “You don’t have kids yet? Have you started trying??” side of the fence, which is just as rude, believe me. My husband & I have a very happy intimate life, thanks for asking!!
People always have an opinion 🙁 Blah!
I grew up with 4 sisters and my mom got a lot of these!
I absolutely LOVE this! Thanks so much for writing it. I am currently 18wks along with our 5th and we havent told anyone! I hate hearing peoples responses. It is suppose to be a time of celebration!!
I was an only child and hated it!! That is why I’m on baby #5. I LOVE having a big family, and you’re right nobody ever says I wish we didn’t have so many kids. I do think though that some people are just curious when it comes to large families as it isn’t as much the “norm” anymore. They just need to find less rude ways to express their curiosity.
My best friend in my neighborhood had a large family.She was the youngest of 9.There was never a dull moment and she got more than enough attention.The Walton’s was always a favorite t v. show for me and the fact that they were a large family made it more interesting.
#2 is on the way for us, finally. I would love to have another one or two, but since we’re older that possibility is getting smaller and smaller. Count your blessings – literally!
My youngest is adopted from Korea. We got a lot of comments! I think people are just making conversation.
I don’t have any kids myself, but I figure as long as the family can afford to support them, it’s their own business how many kids they want to have and they don’t owe any explanation (they certainly don’t owe an explanation to total strangers)! (Someone like Octomom, on the other hand, is a whole different story, IMO)!
We have 7 and the comments and stares can seem non stop sometimes. We moved to an area recently where people are much less rude and actually say nice things. I had to laugh the other week when someone said I had a little tribe. Sometimes you can have a little fun with it depending on your mood.
I think having a big family is nice.
Great comebacks. I had 7 , first 3 were 9 and half months apart then within the next 3 years had 2 more. The last 2 were each 7 years apart. So I have children from their mid 40’s and the baby is 27 :). After awhile I just ignored them but it always amazed me how people would just walk up to me and say these things. I’d hear things like don’t you have tv ? Or, are they all yours ? Or a pitiful look and the words God bless you. To that I’d say he already has don’t you think or you have so many kids and I ‘d say yes and aren’t you glad you don’t have to support them. But like you said. I couldn’t imagine my life without a single one. Congrats on # 5. )
Carol L
🤣😅 At first, I read that as you started ignoring your children!
I have 7 kids, biiological and adopted, and I dont mind the questions and stares at all. These give great opportunities to share the joys of having a large family and the desperate need for people to adopt children from foster care. Instead of sarcasm (althought the comments above are funny) joy-filled answers are are so much kinder and help combat the negative ideas about large families.
5 kids between us with and an age span of 4 years , people used to look at us like we were a freak show , now they are teens and 20s and the grandkids have started it looks a bit like a zoo on tour , many more grandkids to come i hope, cant wait
Same boat here!! 5.0 is due in july and the things pwople say make me laugh so hard, but at the same time I find some of it very rude!
I have two children 1 boy 1 girl 4 grandchildren and another on the way
Whenever I tell people I’m the youngest of 9 I usually get this response: “From the same mom and dad”?
Ughhh. I have 4 kids myself and it’s amazing the looks and comments I get….but 4 is NOT a lot of kids in my opinion. Being the youngest of 9 has taught me a lot.
I come from a huge family. 7 siblings on one side and 10 on the other. I don’t really care what anyone thinks.
I had a great laugh. I have four boys and we always get remarks.
I have 2 and they are 10 yrs and6 months apart,,just happened that way ,,and I got asked all the time they got the same father,,and i would unfortuanately yes,,that ususally shut them up,,lol,
i love these.
My personal best response to: “are you done?” Was “nope, I’m on my way home to make another!”
Thinking of you – hope you are feeling awesome! 😉
If there was a like button for this comment, I would push it. That come back is simply brilliant!
I think large families are great. I had three boys and wish I would have had more. You go girl. This is a good thing
Thanks for sharing these!! I had a good laugh, if only I could remember them on the spot!!! Never do! Usually I’m with my younger 5 girls, the 4 older boys don’t like to hang out with us much any more, 2 have already left the house… So when we get stopped & asked about the 5 girls, my girls all chime in that there’s 4 more!!! They don’t miss a beat! Love having a large family!!