@Lucky- you never think you can juggle that many kids until you have them. Believe me, if you would have asked me after number 2 or 3 how I'd manage, I wouldn't have been able to tell you!
The truth is, a lot of people worry about the money and everything. It isn't easy, I'll admit, but my kids have learned to be happy with a lot less. They are really happy - not just waiting for the next new toy or breakfast cereal to come out. They're busy doing all of the things my generation (I'm 39) did as kids - building playhouses, walking together in the woods, playing outside, painting, bicycling, etc.
And they are very independent- my 6, 4 1/2 and 3 1/2 year olds all wash their own dishes, sort and put away their clothing, and clean up their rooms. The older ones help with the little ones, and I see they are learning so much about all the important things in life: how to get along with others, how to help others, etc.
It takes a lot of effort and real thinking on my part- but I'm a better person because of it.
