People contemplating more kids often ask those with a few which transition was the hardest. Is going from one to two harder than going from two to three? Honestly, there are many factors in this, such as each kid’s temperament, spacing, parent’s temperament, so who knows.

But I HAVE discovered the point where you go from normal, everyday family to freak show. That number is four.
My oldest child is a teen so she is often doing her own thing when I am out and about with my younger three. When people start chatting with me all is well and good as long as they think I have only the three currently at my feet. We are a nice normal family with adorable children. But the minute I mention I have ONE more child we become the freak show.
I even get comments from friends who have 3 kids. I am not sure how my ONE more child has turned me (and many friends I know who DO have 4 kids) into an oddity ripe for gawking. I get comments about being like the Duggars (really, people?), needing a bus, having some sort of sporting team, being out-numbered (psst! You, with the three kids. You’re out-numbered too.), REALLY having my hands full, and on and on.
I know I am not alone in this as I have friends who experience the same thing. I happen to have four daughters which also starts other comments, but that is an entire post on its own.

I realize larger families have fallen by the wayside in America but I just can’t wrap my brain around why going from three to four takes you from the family next door to freak show.

 

*Thanks to Jamie O’Hare and her hilarious fake hastags for providing my title. I know you feel me, girl!