Oh No She's on a SOAPBOX!

Yep you read it right, it's soapbox time. I rarely take a true stand on something verbally and publically. I am a pretty easy going and "want to listen to both sides" kind of girl but something has really got me stewing lately. It all stems from kids and how many people "think" you should have. I have always wondered what it would be like to live in a big family. My grandma was one of 8 and my mom was one of 4, to me these are considered big families. The stories I heard growing up about these two families are hilarious and it didn't seem like there was a dull moment in these two houses, EVER. I am one of 2, and although I would have love to have had more siblings, I think I was enough trouble for my parents to even consider any more after my sister. I was a terror and there are plenty of stories to prove it. With that being said I still think it would be great to have a big family. Now with this day and age and the world we live in this fact has for some reason been thrown so far out the window it is unheard of. I watch 19 kids and counting every chance I get because it is truely a funny show but it also shows that a family can do it and do it right! But they are criticized all the time for the way that they are living their lives.
I also have several friends that have bigger families which do it right! And although I don't consider my family big, we are above the norm. Along with my other friends, we hear complaints about how we have just gone too far. "How are you going to provide for them" "You can't possibly love each one of them the same" "They don't get any time to be an individual or for you to get to know them". What? These are the dumbest and most ignorant things I have ever heard.
I have had this happen and I know my friends have to: We are sitting in a restaurant, kids are behaving, couple sits down, and then asks to be moved so they won't be bothered. Then other times I hear about how unruly big families are...what?!!! Most of the big families that I know of personally are very grounded and well behaved.
But I think the biggest point or thought that bothers me is when I even talk about or mention having another child. The subject comes up with everyone all the time, it seems. And not with friends, people at the grocery store or restaurants or even the mall: "Sooo are you done?". My heart says no, I'm not, but society has made this such a horrible thing that I have to say, yes I think we are. But that doesn't bother me as much as what most people say after that fabulous question. "Good". Good? Am I really that bad of a mother that if we were to bring another human being into this world it would be so horrible? Or is it that we don't take care of the kiddos we do have, financially or emotionally? Or is it that my kids are so horrible acting that having another one would just screw up the whole world? Which one of those things is it? And really why does it matter?

It really hurts, to be honest.

I love my kids and I am pretty sure that they are just like every other child on the Earth. They are rotten at times but sweet and respectful most of the time. I know that I give them the love they need and the discipline to keep them on the straight and narrow. I can't imagine my life without these beautiful souls and won't ever have to. My children have taught me more about life and love, than I could ever learn by myself. They have brought me more joy than any object/person ever has and they do it effortlessly. They are my life and I wouldn't change that for the world.



And if I choose to bring another precious child into our lives, who are you to look down on me? I feel truely sorry for those families that choose to have more than 2 kids, I can't imagine the looks/stares/whispering that goes on right in front of your faces. So sad.

See what did I tell you soapbox, right! So if you are one of those people that look down on big families or just can't believe that someone else is pregnant, please stop. Because even though we smile and try to brush off the "Good"'s that come out of your mouths, we are hurt by that. Our kids, obviously, are our lives and as long as we take care of them and love them all, nothing else matters. Plus, it isn't your life anyway.
Ok enough said on this Monday Soapbox Edition #1. I hope you all have a lovely Monday!!