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Big Families Bring Big Rewards

One (non-celebrity) mother writes of the joys of her hefty brood

By Kristina Loew, Newser User

Posted Oct 21, 2008 6:35 PM CDT

(Newser) – With Angelina Jolie and Sarah Palin in the parenting spotlight, could big families be back in vogue again? Meagan Francis wonders just that in the Christian Science Monitor, but the mother of 4—soon to be 5—doesn't particularly care about being hip. Instead she writes about the rewards that a big brood can bring for both kids and parents. Yes, the material comforts are fewer, but please hold off on the "better you than me" comments.

She hears sentiments like that often enough, a sign that we've become "a culture in which kids are seen as more burden than blessing." But "there are many of us who simply like children, enjoy having a lot of them around, and even do a good job at raising them in bulk,” says Francis. In our consumer-driven world it might be time “our culture shifted its priority away from things and back toward people.”

[Images (1)]

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In this May 20, 2008, file photo, Angelina Jolie poses at a photo call for the film "Changeling" at the 61st International film festival in Cannes. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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I happen to think there's immense value in some of the lessons kids learn in larger families, like having to share, having to wait your turn, and realizing that other people's needs are just as important as your own. - Meagan Francis, Christian Science Monitor

I've heard the argument that children use up precious resources. But as far as I'm concerned, my children are a resource. - Meagan Francis

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Big Families Bring Big Rewards