In Praise Of Large Families

Although I’ve never watched the show, I was thrilled to read in my local newspaper that a Staten Island family will be starring in Sunday’s episode of “Nanny 911.”Why? The couple has six children, and they reminded me why I love Staten Island so much. Born and raised in Manhattan, my original plan was to raise my children there until I learned that large families are not particular common or welcome.Who can forget that infamous essay in the New York Times Magazine by Manhattanite Amy Richards, who said she aborted two of her triplets so she wouldn’t have to move to Staten Island and shop at Costco? She was hailed as a heroine by radical feminists who regarded the culling of unwanted fetuses the wise and proper thing to do. The respect-life contingent was shocked and horrified at such heartlessness, but I’d already been clued in to the anti-multiple-child attitude of Manhattan while I was still living there.My first child was born in Lenox Hill Hospital thanks to the great insurance plan offered by my employer at the time, Air Canada. For my next child, I was a stay at home mother and could afford only the sliding scale clinic services at Bellevue Hospital. My initial visit there was an eye-opener. The European doctor who examined me asked if I had other children. I answered that I had a 1-year-old at home. He then frowned and said sternly, “Don’t you know there are children starving in China?”I should have replied: “Well, they’ll still be starving whether I have this baby or not.” Being young and still respectful of moronic elders, I kept my mouth shut.I immediately thought of that doctor while reading Mark Steyn’s excellent new book, “America Alone: The End of the World As We Know It.” Mr. Steyn has been warning about the declining birth rate of European nations for some time. In a recent essay for National Review, he cites the possible apocalyptic result of Russia’s enthusiastic abortion advocacy of years past. Mr. Steyn writes: “Seven out of 10 pregnancies (according to some surveys) are aborted; in some Muslim communities, the fertility rate is 10 babies per woman.” The Toronto Star, Mr. Steyn notes, reported that by 2015 Muslims will make up a majority of Russia’s army, which, of course, controls a colossal nuclear arsenal. To ensure its financial survival, Russia sooner or later may decide to sell off its nukes to the highest bidder, regardless of their intent.Some say Mr. Steyn is an alarmist, a Chicken Little racing around for no good reason. Seems to me he’s more of a handsome male Cassandra preaching to deaf European ears. Fortunately, he titled his book “America Alone,” because so far we haven’t fallen into that egocentric lifestyle that fails to recognize that strong family units are necessary for a society’s survival.By the time I was pregnant with my third child, I was getting nasty looks whenever I walked to First Avenue from my Waterside apartment with a swollen belly and my two sons in a double stroller. I’m sure many strangers were under the mistaken impression that their tax dollars were funding our existence and resented my obvious fecundity.How different I felt when we moved to Staten Island. Twin and triple strollers were a common sight at the mall and in Costco. Most Island restaurants are geared toward babies and large families. Playgrounds are abundant, and child-proofed. We have a huge carousel in Willowbrook Park and springtime sees Silver and Clove Lake parks teeming with babies and toddlers. Staten Island is the fastest-growing county in the state because growing families are finding the welcome mat is out for them.My children are all adults now, and I’m awaiting my sixth grandchild. I probably could have used a nanny when mine were all young and driving me bonkers. From the newspaper article, Staten Islanders Sean and Siobhan McCaffrey appear to be harried young parents of twins, triplets, and a 1-year-old. Mrs. McCaffrey admitted that she was nervous about airing their dirty laundry on national television. But while chaos may be part and parcel of the McCaffrey home now, children don’t stay young forever.I wish I could let the McCaffreys know how inspiring their family is in this day and age when good, loving parents of many children are considered rare. They are truly blessed, and they are definitely good for America.

In Praise Of Large Families

In Praise Of Large Families

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