235 replies to this topic

[brown]

Wow, congrats! You'd better get that kid into swimming!

[chris v]

Wow, congrats! You'd better get that kid into swimming!

It's funny because the last one was, errrr, just as quick.... good to know we still got it almost 10 years later.

[cw68]

Congrats! Best wishes for an easy and healthy pregnancy and beyond.

[tessieca]

That was sure quick from start of discussion to final act. Best wishes on a healthy child .

Controlling for parental education, parental age at birth and family level attributes, we find that children from larger families have lower levels of education, that there is a separate negative birth order effect, and that the family size effect does not vanish once we control for birth order.

Obviously this won't hold true in every case, but it does accord with common sense (more kids mean less $$ to spend per kid). Thoughts? Experiences?

There are way to many variables that could enter that equation that birth order does not seem to be the one that would be controlling. In our family it had more to do with parental expectations and brain-genes than in any order. Out of 7 kids, #3 and #7 have advanced degrees, #1-4 and #7 have bachelor degrees. #5 & 6 dropped out of college but not for lack of brains. When we IQ tested, #6 had the highest IQ (genius level, and one of our dropouts), #3 was 2nd highest followed closely by #1.

Related family with 6 kids: #1 died young with a bachelor degree, #2 has bachelor plus CPA, #3 has a bachelor and veterinary degrees, #4 has B.S.N., RN, and now teaching credential, #5 has a master in library science and a law degree, #6 has a PHD in physical therapy and went on to get an MD.

I could give you more examples, including a family of 11. In each of the large families I know with plenty of successful children, the common denominator is parent expectations during their growth years.

[Dave Burrell]

It's funny because the last one was, errrr, just as quick.... good to know we still got it almost 10 years later.

heheh 2 for 2 - good going you guys - congrats and best of luck !

[Andrea V]

Thank you EVERYONE!! You helped us a TON with all of this!! You are all very cool people.

THANKS!

[ngilbert]

Congrats on the great news, hope for a healthy pregnancy. Fingers x-ed for no "Emo kid" . . .

Heh - Watch the child turn out to be some Emo kid who's all into Christmas and voting. But I'm sure you'll love him and/or her regardless, Chris.

Congrats guys!

[Darth Lefty]

This thread went on so long I'd started ignoring it and missed the news Congratulations!

[mylo]

Heh - Watch the child turn out to be some Emo kid who's all into Christmas and voting. But I'm sure you'll love him and/or her regardless, Chris.

Emo Banjo.. it's the new thing for kids born in 2008!

[bordercolliefan]

I could give you more examples, including a family of 11. In each of the large families I know with plenty of successful children, the common denominator is parent expectations during their growth years.

There are always anecdotes that go against the general trend.

But statistics are more meaningful than anecdotes if we are trying to have a more general understanding.

It's like if I say "Tall people tend to be better at basketball." Sure, you can probably name 5 people under 6 feet who are great basketball players. That doesn't make the general statement any less true.

[Steve Heard]

Congrats, kids!

[TawnyK]

Yaaaay!!!!!! GO TEAM TURBO BREEDERS!!!!!!

The V's are gonna have a fun year!

[Bill Z]

Congrats, and may your new addition to your family bring as much joy as my son does to me.
I'm sure he/she will.

[chris v]

HE will...

[Andrea V]

HE will...

She! now stop that!