If you have or grew up in a "large" family....
Background:
Since I grew up as one half of a pigeon pair, and so did DH, to us a "large" family is really anything bigger than 2 siblings :) And I know there are a LOT of ladies on here with 3+ already, and probably a lot who grew up that way too.
I have a very fractured family and growing up was kind of on my own, and really as an adult still am, although obviously now I have DH and my kids. Holidays are really just us, plus either my mom, or his parents. So 6 people max, LOL.
Questions:
On raising a larger family: What do you love about it? How do you manage to still be intentional with each child? What are the upsides of having several of the same gender? And downsides ... but if you offer a downside please offer how you cope with it so I don't get too terrified!
On growing up in a large family: Especially if as adults you ended up close to siblings and or parents, I'd love to hear what some things were that your parents did that made you close as a family. Some of it I do think comes down to the personalities of the kids, and those we can't control, but I do believe parenting plays a crucial role in how a family evolves as the kids age, so I'd love to hear what you think worked and what you plan to do with your family.