In past generations having many children was an asset, rather than the liability that it seems to be today. Reliable, inexpensive, readily accessible birth control, high levels of education, the many opportunities available for women in the workforce, a shift in societal values, the increased cost of living, and many other factors have contributed to today's trend toward smaller families.
What many couples may not realize is that the same benefits that were created by a large family are still applicable today. Of the many potential bonuses (bonii?) of having a large family (which, apparently, is anything more than 2 children), there are these to consider:
- Naming rights for several human beings...be creative, be indulgent, be classic...the choice is yours!
- Increased odds of having a wealthy child to care and provide for you in your old age
- Increased odds of having a child who likes you enough to care and provide for you in your old age
- Hand-me-down toys, clothes, potty seats, bikes, and backpacks = it gets cheaper as your family grows! By child number 3, they won't even expect new stuff, ever!
- More Mother's Day drawings, Christmas pipe cleaner crafts, and yard weeds presented as lovely floral gifts
- Children will play and/or fight with each other, rather than demanding attention from you!
The most notable benefit is, of course, an increased capacity for child labor. Many children = many skill sets and much more available elbow grease.
I feel children are often overlooked and under-utilized when it comes to household maintenance. What infants and toddlers lack in thoroughness, they make up for in enthusiasm. They truly believe you when you tell them it's fun to scrub the floor.
Older children, when properly trained, are limited only by your imagination when it comes to chores and household tasks. A mom of older children should never have to vacuum. That's what *kids* are for!
Of course, shoddy workmanship is common with older children and teens who are no longer thrilled to be carrying in groceries or putting away folded clothes, but that is easily remedied. All a mom (or dad) must do is simply stop caring so much that things are done properly. Just don't look in your child's dresser or closet. Even better, don't check his room at all.
You could make them redo the task or continue to guide them in how to do it correctly, but that sounds an awful lot like work to me! And the point is to have children who work for YOU, not you for THEM. Mommyhood is a management position. Remember that!
And sure, this idea of childhood servitude could work for a small family, but to really realize the benefits, you need several children. Children with strong backs and long, wiry little arms that can really reach in behind stuff. That's what you need.