Author Topic: Blessings of large families (Read 3456 times)

Ladislaus · « **Reply #15 on:** September 23, 2022, 07:31:10 AM »

Quote from: Sgt Rock USMC on September 22, 2022, 08:08:32 AM

Blessings and grace in the married state come from the openness of bringing forth the children God wills for each of our families.

THIS^^^, as I also wrote earlier. It's not about the material aspect of how many children, but rather abuot the formal aspect of submitting to God's will. Sometimes God wills a larger family, sometimes smaller. I find that I am in the middle with six. But my wife and I also got married later (she was nearly 30), and she's had a couple of miscarriages in there as well. So the worldlings look down on us because we have too many, and the Trads who have more (10-12) look down on us for having "too few" ... as if this were some kind of contest. I know one woman in particular who refuses to breast-feed so she can "knock one out" every 9 months, without the delay that naturally accompanies breast-feeding. She's in some contest with her sister ... as if the quantity of children on its own is a virtue of some kind. In fact, this zeal to have these great numbers also betrays a bit of lack of submission to God's will, where YOU are going to make it happen and not simply allow God to do as He wills.

I've known some parents with one or two children who had serious issues that have caused them more grief and suffering than the burden experienced by those with a dozen children who have no such problems.

Christo Rege · « **Reply #16 on:** September 23, 2022, 07:41:32 AM »

My grandmother had eight children while her other fifteen siblings had none or had less than three. They grew up before Vatican II but soon those fifteen siblings fell away from the Faith.

It is true God decides how many children are placed in each family. But unfortunately, in my extended family, I have seen agreements in frivolous marriages (which ended sorely, and are now in adultery). They even agree with Natural Family Planning, which in today’s society, IS used to prevent pregnancy. Only God knows how many couples actually canceled out three, four, five children He intended to give.

Polymath · « **Reply #17 on:** September 23, 2022, 07:54:36 AM »

Quote from: Christo Rege on September 23, 2022, 07:41:32 AM

They even agree with Natural Family Planning, which in today’s society, IS used to prevent pregnancy. Only God knows how many couples actually canceled out three, four, five children He intended to give.

I’ve written some poetry on that very subject, for those who haven’t seen the poetry thread:

https://www.cathinfo.com/art-and-literature-for-catholics/user-poems/msg838699/#msg838699

As for the other responses, I was hoping for more tangible things, descriptions of the little day-to-day things unique to large families that someone could picture. Something more like a saying attributed to Anton Chekhov: “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”

The Mrs · « **Reply #18 on:** September 23, 2022, 07:56:22 AM »

Quote from: Ladislaus on September 23, 2022, 07:31:10 AM

THIS^^^, as I also wrote earlier. It's not about the material aspect of how many children, but rather abuot the formal aspect of submitting to God's will. Sometimes God wills a larger family, sometimes smaller. I find that I am in the middle with six. But my wife and I also got married later (she was nearly 30), and she's had a couple of miscarriages in there as well. So the worldlings look down on us because we have too many, and the Trads who have more (10-12) look down on us for having "too few" ... as if this were some kind of contest. I know one woman in particular who refuses to breast-feed so she can "knock one out" every 9 months, without the delay that naturally accompanies breast-feeding. She's in some contest with her sister ... as if the quantity of children on its own is a virtue of some kind. In fact, this zeal to have these great numbers also betrays a bit of lack of submission to God's will, where YOU are going to make it happen and not simply allow God to do as He wills.

I've known some parents with one or two children who had serious issues that have caused them more grief and suffering than the burden experienced by those with a dozen children who have no such problems.

Yup, my brother in law and his wife have been married for 13 years and have not been able to conceive. They feel compelled to tell strangers of this very personal struggle when people make comments to them about their not having any children. Many assume they have no children for worldly reasons while they would be thrilled to have a large family. It’s a cross they carry heroically.

MaterDominici · « **Reply #19 on:** September 23, 2022, 11:27:12 PM »

Quote from: The Mrs on September 20, 2022, 06:21:09 PM

Aside from that though, one of the best things I love to see in my everyday life is my children happily playing together, laughing, and doing all the things that come naturally to good friends, but their best friends are their very own siblings 🥰.

My children don't recognize how much of a blessing this is. Some of them (not all) will lament not having many "friends", but their connections with each other are way stronger and more meaningful than any friends I've ever had.

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Author Topic: Blessings of large families (Read 3456 times)

Ladislaus

Re: Blessings of large families

Christo Rege

Re: Blessings of large families

Polymath

Re: Blessings of large families

The Mrs

Re: Blessings of large families

MaterDominici

Re: Blessings of large families