Comments on: Why I Don’t Think Having Four Kids Is Un-Green

By: j

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 04:16:00 +0000

That movement is just giving those of us who don’t want kids permission to go ahead and not have them.

By: Linzi

Linzi — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 11:22:15 +0000

I believe it’s only a few countries in Europe giving incentives to residents of small rural villages to have children as governments have failed to lure young couples back to farming communities to raise families any other way. In most cases it’s not an overall fall in the country’s population that has brought about these payments but a desire of it’s youth to live a more modern way of life in cities and towns.
My head says bringing more people into the world only adds to the drain on resources over the period of that persons life, but I would much rather a responsible family raise 4 ecologically minded children than someone that doesn’t care about theirs or their child’s impact on the world they live in. I am all for more responsible people in the world to overcome the burgeoning millions that just simple don’t care.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 08:32:58 +0000

I just came across this post while browsing your archives, but what strikes me funny is that people consider 4 children a large family. That perception is primarily cultural. In the middle east a family of six is quite small and “modern.” In many societies eight or more is the average. I wouldn’t start worrying about the “greenness” of it when you “only” have four! I do agree with your points, larger families do not necessarily necessitate more waste. It’s all about how you choose to live your life. Great article.

By: dana g.

dana g. — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 02:25:29 +0000

no matter how you look at it, having more children is going to add up to a greater impact than having one or two. population doesn’t grow in a straight line. If your four children each have four(if earth conscious parents raise earth conscious kids, if you follow that logic, then probably parents who believe in big families will raise kids who do), and those 16 kids each have four kids, and those 64 kids each have four kids, you have your original family expanding to 256 (plus 84 kids who begot kids) additional people over 4 generations. If two children do the same it results in 32(plus 14 kids who begot kids). 340 v. 46. that is a big difference. And, even with the best intentions, as families grow that large, it would be a stretch to assume that you would be able to impart your values on that many people. I know people who have five, six even 12 kids, but even with all the talk about going green, no one wants to look at the fact that population alone is a huge impact. A human drinks water, eats food, makes waste, creates garbage, drives cars that, at least at this point, still pollute, consumes/burns energy or fuel to heat their home. I could go on. My opinion? You simply cannot think green without considering the size of your family.

By: Pete

Pete — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 02:35:04 +0000

So what way do you want it? God or Science? Both are offered as an excuse to keep from thinking of the consequences of a large family. If you want a large family, consider adoption. Then you get what you want and are helping the society. You’re right about the planet surviving, but 9 billion people starts to have a quality of life consequence.

By: Karen Trefzger

Karen Trefzger — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 11:00:41 +0000

I’m new to your blog, so I just read this post for the first time.

I’d like to say that your reasoning is clear, detailed, and compelling. Most people who are interested in a green lifestyle seem to subscribe to the belief that having more than one child is bad for the earth (see Bill McKibben’s book Maybe One, among others). I was thrilled to read your fantastic answer to that argument — you brought up excellent points that I haven’t read anywhere else.

My children are nearly grown. They were homeschooled K-12 and are both 4.0 students in college (one is in graduate school). It’s great to see a new generation of parents on the homeschooling path. God bless you and your family!

By: Barb from Iowa

Barb from Iowa — Fri, 14 May 2010 01:36:06 +0000

When my husband and I were having children, was at the time of the “Population Bomb”. Lots of talk about responsibly only having 2 children who would theroetically replace you on the planet. I can’t remember anymore if we bought that line or if two just felt right for us, but now that I’m a grandma, I’m thrilled that my kids are having as many as they want! Personally now, I think it’s wonderful when Christian families have lots of kids. There is great potential for influencing the world for Jesus. (I know, not every child in a Christian family will necessarily follow Jesus, but the possibility is wonderful.

By: Vicky Kelly

Vicky Kelly — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:07:35 +0000

I have 11 kids (gasp). This post is great! I agree with all of it.
Our decision to “allow” this many kids was definitely one that was from the Lord. We are like you & have mostly 2nd hand clothing items as well as other things. I have more to say but need a bit more tea in me to wake up lol

By: GeraldG

GeraldG — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:01:56 +0000

I’m trying to find out how to live frugally for a family that eats more home cooked meals like steak and potatoes with vegetables, chicken & vegetables; how can you spend less. what happens when life gets boring and you want something different, you’re just tired of chicken all the time… (i would like for it to be good and different and easy on the stomach and non gasy

By: Monday Q&A | Kids & Money + Children’s Birthday Parties

Monday Q&A | Kids & Money + Children’s Birthday Parties — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:56:00 +0000

[...] entry on your family size and being green got me thinking about the topic of kids and money, and I would love to hear how you’re [...]