Here are 10 reasons why larger families are happier.
Children bring chaos, confusion, and craziness to our daily lives. The spilled milk, the mismatched socks, the endless snacks, and the random crayon murals on your walls are all part of the package. Yet somehow, amid this delightful whirlwind, parents still find themselves smiling. Why? Because there’s something deeply fulfilling, meaningful, and even joyful about the unpredictability and fullness that children bring, one of the most cherished benefits of having bigger families is exactly this: a home brimming with life, laughter, and unforgettable moments.
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A study in Australia has shown that having more children may lead to greater happiness. It turns out that despite all the mayhem and exhaustion that parenting often entails, larger families report higher life satisfaction.
According to the study from Perth’s Edith Cowan University, families with four children or more enjoy the highest levels of life satisfaction. The researchers looked at criteria such as resilience, social support, and self-esteem, and discovered that these qualities tend to flourish in bigger families.
If you’ve been thinking about adding another little one to your crew, this might be just the encouragement you need. Whether you’re trying to convince your partner or reassure yourself that expanding the family is a good idea, science and experience are on your side.
Here are more reasons to consider adding to your family, beyond the research:
1. The clothes that are handed down get worn
Let’s face it—babies grow faster than weeds in spring. That adorable onesie you bought with so much excitement? It was too small by the time your baby hit three months. The good news is, in a bigger family, nothing goes to waste. That barely-worn baby jacket? Passed on to the next one. The stylish toddler shoes? Worn again and again.
In larger families, every outfit has a long and well-loved life, giving you excellent value for money. And it’s not just about being economical, it’s also nostalgic. Seeing a younger child wear their older sibling’s favourite jumper or sleep in the same swaddle blanket brings a wave of sweet memories, connecting your children in tangible, sentimental ways.
Bonus tip: keep a few key items aside in a “memory box” for each child—those clothes will hold stories you’ll cherish forever.
2. After three, just stop worrying
Yes, you read that right. A second study shows that parents with four or more kids are less stressed than those with three. That’s because, by the time you reach child number four, you’ve accepted the reality that you simply can’t control everything.
You let go of the Pinterest-perfect expectations. You stop comparing milestones. You realise that perfection is overrated and that surviving the day with everyone fed and relatively clean is already a victory. You’ve learned how to roll with the punches, and your stress levels decrease as your parenting confidence grows.
You become a parenting ninja—quick on your feet, flexible, and a master of creative problem-solving. You can handle tantrums in supermarkets and potty accidents in cars like a pro. In other words, you stop sweating the small stuff because you’ve got a whole tribe to raise.
3. You have more chances to do it right… eventually
No one knows what they’re doing the first time around. By baby number two, you’re still figuring things out. But by the third or fourth? You’ve learned which battles are worth fighting and which ones aren’t.
You know when to hold firm and when to laugh it off. You know which baby products are useful and which ones are marketing fluff. You’ve perfected the art of diaper changes in moving vehicles and learned to detect fever with just a kiss on the forehead.
Each child gives you another opportunity to improve, adjust, and evolve as a parent. And while you’ll never be perfect (spoiler: no one is), you’ll become wiser, calmer, and more capable with each addition to the family.
4. More hands… more help… more babysitters
One of the magical things about big families is how siblings naturally step into helper roles. Older kids often enjoy helping out with younger ones, whether it’s fetching a bottle, entertaining a baby with funny faces, or reading bedtime stories.
As the family grows, so does the team spirit. Kids learn cooperation, responsibility, and the joy of contributing to something bigger than themselves. Sure, they’ll bicker (a lot), but they’ll also bond deeply.
And let’s not forget: built-in babysitters. Once they’re old enough, older siblings can be trusted to watch the younger ones for short periods, giving you a much-needed breather (or, let’s be honest, a shower in peace).
5. Play with your siblings
One of the most common complaints of modern parents is how much effort it takes to keep kids entertained. In a larger family, your kids come with their built-in playmates. There’s always someone to build a fort with, host a tea party, or organise a game of tag in the backyard.
If two siblings are at odds, there are others to turn to. This diversity in relationships allows kids to learn negotiation, forgiveness, and empathy daily.
Sure, sibling rivalry is real—but so is the joy of shared childhood memories, secret games, and bedtime giggles from across bunk beds.
6. Now it’s easier to organize group activities
Want to play a game of hide-and-seek? No problem, you’ve got enough players. How about forming a relay team or putting on a talent show? Done.
Whether it’s board games, dance battles, obstacle courses, or impromptu living room karaoke, large families bring their own fun. You don’t need to schedule playdates or outings just to create a lively environment—it’s already there in your home.
Even ordinary days can feel like a celebration when there are that many voices, ideas, and personalities bouncing off each other.
7. You can also encourage them to start a band
From banging on pots and pans to mastering musical instruments, large families have been known to produce some amazing family bands (hello, The Jackson 5, The Von Trapps, and Hanson!).
Having a bunch of kids means you’ve got all the roles covered: lead singer, guitarist, keyboardist, and even backup dancers. Whether it’s a real band or just imaginative jam sessions, creativity flourishes in large households.
Who knows? You might be raising the next musical superstars. At the very least, your family gatherings will never be short on entertainment.
8. Imperfection is the new normal
When you’re outnumbered by your kids, you quickly learn that perfection is not only unrealistic—it’s unnecessary. Your home may not look like an Instagram post, but it’s full of life, love, and laughter.
You get comfortable with a bit of chaos. You become an expert in improvisation. And you learn to laugh at the messes, the mismatched shoes, and the sticky fingerprints on everything.
You embrace the mantra: “If everyone’s alive and relatively happy, we’re doing great.” That shift in perspective brings enormous peace. You become more present, more forgiving, and more focused on what truly matters.
Think of it like this: your standards adjust from museum-like cleanliness to organised chaos, and that’s perfectly okay.
9. Four-fold the kisses, cuddles, and “I love you, Mummy”s
Multiply the kids, multiply the love. Each child brings their magic into your life, their giggles, quirks, and spontaneous declarations of love.
Think about those warm toddler cuddles, the way a baby wraps their little hand around your finger, or how your preschooler runs to greet you at the end of the day with a beaming smile. Now imagine having those moments fourfold.
Yes, you may be outnumbered, and yes, you’ll often feel like a referee or short-order cook. But you’ll also be swimming in affection, connection, and tiny reminders of why parenting is such a profoundly rewarding experience.
Those little “I love you”s, sticky kisses, and handmade cards covered in glitter glue? They make it all worthwhile.
10. More grandchildren mean more children
Think long-term. The joy doesn’t stop when your children grow up. It expands. Bigger families often result in even bigger extended families down the line. That means more grandchildren to love, spoil, and bake cookies for.
Grandparenthood is one of life’s greatest joys—and with more kids, you increase your odds of experiencing it many times over.
And the best part? You get to enjoy the cuddles and giggles, then hand them back when they start crying or need a diaper change. Sweet revenge.
Bonus Thought: You Create a Lifelong Support Network
Children from large families often grow up with a deep sense of belonging. They know they’re part of something larger than themselves. They have each other’s backs even when they move out, get married, or start families of their own.
A big family means a built-in network of lifelong friendships, future aunties and uncles for each other’s kids, and countless holidays, reunions, and shared milestones.
Even in hard times, your children will never feel alone. They will have siblings to lean on, talk to, and grow old with, and that’s an incredible gift.
Conclusion
It is not always easy to raise a large family. But it’s full of love, laughter, and learning. The benefits of having more than four children are many. From the practical advantages of a larger family, such as the ability to pass down toys and clothes and have a playmate already in place, to the joys of a multiplied love and lifelong relationships.
Although the idea of having a larger family may seem daunting at first, parents often find that their homes and hearts grow in ways they could never have imagined. The chaos can be part of the charm. The noise becomes music. And the challenges that families face every day help them become stronger and more resilient.
If you dream of a busy household with little footsteps, secrets shared, and endless hugs, then take heart. Scientists, parents, and experience all agree that sometimes more is better.
