I don't understand at all why people are negative about big families! They don't have to take care of your kids! Why can't they just support and encourage mums with lots of kids?!
I am the oldest of eight. I hope to have a big family myself (we'll see what God gives us!) I know my family and IL's will be thrilled, as will our closest friends, but I can remember comments from strangers about our family when I was growing up and I don't want that to happen to my kids.
I loved having lots of brothers and sisters as a kid, and I enjoy it even more now, when we all get together. We've become a group of good friends, I think, and I feel blessed to have them!