10 Things I Didn't Consider When I Said I Wanted Five Kids

Since the second I could hold a baby doll I have wanted my own kids. I didn't have brothers or sisters so I would babysit every chance I could get. I would mother my friends, younger and older. I still mother anyone around me who will allow it. I always knew I wanted a ton of kids. Just had to find the right guy.

So when I met Mr. Kerrie and we agreed we both wanted more than one kid but less than 6, it was go time. We didn't live together before we were married, so we got engaged, got married, bought a house a year later and started a family a year after that. Five kids later we are 44 and 48 years of age and are most likely all done having kids. Here are some things I didn't think about when I said I wanted so many!

The public school carnival across the street. This year I got smart and gave each kid $10 for tickets instead of just buying unlimited tickets and passing them out left and right. It was hard to keep track of them all separately but saved me a lot of money!

1. How much stuff they came with. I keep things to a minimum around my house lately since it's only about 1,500 square feet, but even two pair of shoes each comes to 20 shoes. Factor in sheets, towels, shirts, pants, socks, underwear, jackets, coats, snow boots, snow pants, gloves, hats, scarves and more, not to mention my own stuff and Mr. Kerrie's stuff, and you have some serious stuff on your hands!
2. How much stuff they would collect. Rocks, shells, paper, bottlecaps, Nerf guns, you name it.
3. How much stuff would be gifted to them. Holidays and birthdays, yep. I think we almost have this under control, though. I don't want them to NOT get gifts ... that's selfish of me. But I sure am happy when they get SMALL gifts like Matchbox cars versus huge ones we have to store like those ride-on Jeeps. Some people just give money, which rocks also. Then my kids can get what they want with some and put some in savings.
4. How much stuff Pushover Me would get for them. Yes, I am a large part of the problem and am working on saying no more often to things because it adds up financially and junk-wise in the house!
5. How different their personalities would be.
6. That they would fight and get over it but it would take me longer to calm down about it.
7. That they could love each other until their friends came around then they would ignore each other or treat each other badly.
8. How much going places would cost in total.
9. That the grocery bill for not even two weeks would be literally as tall as I am ... over 5 feet tall, and how every cent is worth it.
10. The noise level and how much it would not bother me ... most of the time.

Are there things you didn't expect about having kids?