My wife and I have eight children (no twins). No, it is not a blended family, nor are we members of some cult living off the land and hugging trees in the back hills of rural Ontario.
This article on large families was a breath of fresh air and very humorous to a father who thought he had heard all the comments (both positive and derogatory) that have come with having a large family. Our children (five girls and three boys) range in age from eight to 26.
Certainly, there is a huge financial consideration, yet our children know and accept that we do not have the newest or best of furniture and electronics, cars (ours is a passenger van), we do not travel to exotic destinations and the older ones have student loans.
Yet there is something so utterly special about being in their presence that I have difficulty putting it into words. There is a sense of contribution, caring, understanding and compassion that has become or is becoming part of their fabric as individuals. Albeit, some slower than others. And, yes, they are or will be taxpayers.
I have now been called a grandpa by strangers on several occasions when accompanying our eight year old, but we would do it all again at the drop of a dime!
In response to the question that we have heard so many times, Are you crazy?, my answer is: No, blessed!
GREG MAIKA, Carp
This article on large families was a breath of fresh air and very humorous to a father who thought he had heard all the comments (both positive and derogatory) that have come with having a large family. Our children (five girls and three boys) range in age from eight to 26.
Certainly, there is a huge financial consideration, yet our children know and accept that we do not have the newest or best of furniture and electronics, cars (ours is a passenger van), we do not travel to exotic destinations and the older ones have student loans.
Yet there is something so utterly special about being in their presence that I have difficulty putting it into words. There is a sense of contribution, caring, understanding and compassion that has become or is becoming part of their fabric as individuals. Albeit, some slower than others. And, yes, they are or will be taxpayers.
I have now been called a grandpa by strangers on several occasions when accompanying our eight year old, but we would do it all again at the drop of a dime!
In response to the question that we have heard so many times, Are you crazy?, my answer is: No, blessed!
GREG MAIKA, Carp
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