Before anything I would like to wish all the moms out there a very happy mother's day. I myself am not a mother yet, but I do appreciate my mother as well as my grandmother and the wonderful women that they are.

Well with that being said now I can continue with my question. As I said I am not a mother, but love the idea of it and I can not wait to be one. Of course I'm just going to have them left and right, I want to be prepared and give them the best.

I am still young but I would love to have a big family. I was recently speaking with my partner and jokingly said that I wanted five kids. I said it as a joke but am beginning to like the idea more and more.

What I wanted to know was the more realistic view from being a mother of 4, 5, kids plus. I know the "idea" of it sounds wonderful, but I like thinking of the more realistic sides of things like I said.

I would like to know details as to going through their toddler stages over and over, lol and then going through the teen stages (which I think is the hardest part). I would also like to know how you all of big families deal with the finacial issues and what about college preping.

Any other pointers or things to think about before I begin my BIG family, lol, would be greatly apprecited! Thanks

Sorry I meant to say "I am not going to be having them left and right". Typo! lol

My husband & I are proud parents of two healthy grown children. Our daughter is now 21 & our son will be 20 on May 19. I was very young when I gave birth to both of them. I was just 19 & 20 years old, then I made an irrational decision to get my tubes tied. Now for quite a few years I have deeply longed to have 4 more healthy children with my husband of almost 22 years of happy marriage. I so much wish I could reverse the surgery & have this one big dream or wish come true. I am now 40 & have had some previous health problems, but recently I have become more active in exercising & eating healthier. Due to this I feel as though I have been given a second chance at life & feel younger then I have in the past 20 years. In fact, my motherly instincts were telling me that I possibly might be pregnant now. I went 8 weeks without a period & then it started again. My mom was close to 50 years old before she went thru menopause, so I thought maybe I was still too young for that. I didn't take a home pregnancy test, because I was afraid the results would be wrong & I am going to talk to my doctor & see him soon. I have been experiencing some lower back pain & tightness in my stomach muscles. I didn't know for sure if women can spot during a pregnancy? Any suggestions appreciated.

Watch "Jon and Kate + Eight" -

That should help! They have a set of twin girls (6 years old) and a set of sextuplets (3 years old).

My grandmother had four girls, my brother-in-law is one of four, and my mother's cousins have five siblings. All of them are close. Also, a mom I know from school just had her fourth, and another woman just had her fifth.

One thing I can say about the moms I know at school: they are very laid back and have very upbeat personalities and seem to have limitless energy. I always wanted three or four girls because I love the relationship my mom has with her sisters, and fictional sisters, like in Pride and Prejudice and Little Women, show close relationships as well.

But I don't have that boundless amount of energy and I am a little high strung. I'm not sure a big brood would have worked for me in truth.

I think the younger you are when you start, and the ability to handle a big family financially are important. Youth gives you the engery. Private school, unexpected medical costs, activities, sports, braces, parties, vacations, proms, cars, college and weddings don't all come together, but they come eventually.