When it comes to kids, three is the magic number

Some couples agree early on how many children they’d like but many mums anguish over whether to have another. How do you know when you have enough children, asks Andrea Mara.

GERMAN grandmother Annegret Raunigk made headlines recently when she gave birth to quadruplets — not only because she is 65, but because she has 13 children already. While most parents here in Ireland don’t have 17 children, we are known for having relatively large families. So what influences that decision – how does anyone decide on a number?

Family background certainly has an impact — people who grew up with lots of siblings often want large families themselves.