How Many Steps Do You Have In Your Home

It’s usually follows the eyes bugging out of the head while counting how many kids are with me.

" Are these all yours?"

I usually smile as I answer with my usual "yes."

There’s a couple of things that bother me about this question.

First off, why are people referring to them as "these?"

It’s the same comment a person makes to another when their traveling and have packed forty bags of luggage when their only going to be gone for the weekend.

Sometimes I want to reply "I’m sorry, have I brought one too many again? I keep meaning to leave some at home, but I haven’t found one I can actually do without."

Besides that, there are women that have had more than seven children. If seven makes them "these" then how do people refer to a family of eleven?

There’s a certain pattern how people react to women with children, and their questions and comments go according to the number.

One child : "Children bring such joy into our lives don’t they?"

Two children: " It’s good to have another child, now they’ll always have someone to play with."

Three children : "Boy you’ve got your hands full."

Four children : "Wow, I bet they keep you busy."

Five children : " How can you afford another one?"

Six children : " Have you figured out what causes you to keep getting pregnant?"

Seven children :" Are these all yours?"

I think five, six, and seven are my favorites out of all of those. Though I try to answer them graciously, and smile as if they have said something so original, just once I’d like to answer with what I’m really thinking.