Families with 5 children

[Lisa]

Well, my situation is similar to Feijoa mum only I am insane and also have DS1's girlfriend staying here with us from the UK.
Yep, we have a huge house - 4 bedrooms with a semi self contained flat/rumpus room downstairs. Ds1 & GF have downstairs. DD1 has her own room. DS2 & DD2 share but that is about to change as Ds2 will soon be in his own room and the girls will share (dd2 & dd3). DD3 is in with us. I wish we had an 8 sweater van OR that DS1 would get his license.
I do notice an expense as I have 2 in nappies, which I never really had before. Otherwise there has been zero impact on us. Dd just fit in like everyone else. I was so worried about #5 but it really is fine much less stressful than I envisioned it being. If DD2 & DS1 had behaviour changes, everything would be blissful

[feeb]

Hmm Hypothetical hay!! We all know as others have said that these threads of yours turn into a BA in a few months time!

[UntoldAngel]

I was in a family of 5 kids, living in a 3 bedroom house. Basically my three brothers shared a room, my sister and I shared a room, mum and dad had a room. But when my older brother became a teenager he had his own room which was a part of the lounge room that was converted. Then I had it as there was a six year gap between my sister and I. Basically mum and dad made it work however they could with very little money

[Tegam]

Hmmm I'm hypothetically in the same boat Mel.....

[Tegam]

Except I have an 8 seater. Rofl

[*Ash*]

I'm hoping I won't be in the same hypothetical boat after #4 is born in a few weeks- but I might just get myself an oar in case, or maybe a life jacket, lol!

[KimB]

lol I went from 3 to 4 to 5 to 6 We already had the 8 seater van so that wasn't a problem. Family trips away mean camping in a big tent lol but the kids love it. At the moment we have the 2 boys sharing a room, the 2 younger girls sharing a room and the baby is in with us. DD1 has left home (her wishes entirely) so we have converted the small bedroom into a computer/sewing room until DD4 gets older or the boys start fighting lol. Even when the kids friends come around I can't usually tell lol they just get swallowed up in the general masses

[Jennifer13]

Just asking a hypothetical question - how does having 5 change the family dynamics?

How do the bedrooms usually end up - do you need a huge house or do more than 2 share?

How much more expensive is it to have 5 instead of 4?

All hypothetical, purely asking for for research purposes..

Do you want me to stop putting up photos of my new baby on FB?

[Arimeh]

Haha Jen!!!! I'm off Facebook ATM so put heaps on there till I get back lol

Thanks everyone for answering my hypothetical question

[Heaven]

Hypothetically, when should I start stalking for a PA? lol

[Arimeh]

Hypothetically, when should I start stalking for a PA? lol

Hahahaha!! Funny girl

[~Serenity~]

Fantastic question and answers i was just wondering about this living in a 3 bdr house and just getting surprised learning #5 is on the way but i wont feel so bad now about the baby sharing a room With either its 2 brothers or 2 sisters

[nothing2lose]

Can I just throw another variable in there?? I am one of six (one deceased, nine years between oldest and youngest) and I think it was harder for mum and dad to stretch themselves emotionally (as well as physically, financially, etc) than any of us kids would have preferred.
Also, as you get older, it was really, really challenging having to share space with younger siblings.

Just throwing another perspective in the mix

[peanutter]

I notice that MNB hasn't actually *denied* anything ... just deflected ...

stalk stalk .... or should I say stork ...

[Arimeh]

Hahahahaha!! I have far too many children co-sleeping to be able to announce anything...

[feeb]

You have a lounge, bathroom and kitchen!!

[Arimeh]

Hahahahaha!!!!! Not gunna happen.

[Anila]

I think for me the going from 3-4 was the hardest as we had to get the bigger car, 5 to 7 seats, then from 5-6 as again we needed another bigger car, 7 to 8 seats...

But the dynamics in the house really havent changed at all, the 2 boys share a room, the oldest gets a room to her self and the 2 younger girls share and the baby is currently in our room, the noise level is pretty much the same, my stress level varies from day to day depending on which child has done what, i already have a massive wash pile so really whats a few extra items..

The food bill does obviously go up as they get older and now with a 4th in school we have noticed an increase in the cost of the school food supplies and that will only go up when the next 2 attend.. But somehow we make it work...

The only downfall i have atm with having a large family is that all though we can afford car repayments we have been turned down for finance to buy a new car, the new government capacity law says that we must have $1200 per week to raise the kids after the bills have been paid.. which clearly we dont as there is a thing called a budget, so that was a kick in the face...
So there is that issue that you may come accross...

But i think it really comes down to what is in your heart, and yes i do realise money is a major factor but you can make things work, all my kids bar baby are in active sports, they have technology, food, a roof over their head, love, etc etc...

Im not done, not in my heart anyway, but hubby says that its time to finish, not being able to buy a bigger car was a big factor in that also... So my head and heart are fighting atm, ive just given away all of the baby stuff, hoping that helps me heal...

You know im always up for a chat regarding your "research", so text me anytime...
Just typing all this makes me realise how badly i am not done
Not sure how to deal with that....