I came across a great article posted by Jess over at Making Home that so precisely captures my feelings about birth control and the world's attitudes about children. Here is an excerpt:

"If a two-year-old in a family of seven children has tantrums or is wearing mismatched clothes, it's because "the mom is spread too thin". But if that same child is the only child of two doting parents, it's because "bless his heart; he's a normal two-year-old" and because independent little two-year-olds love to pick out their own clothes.

If a mother of three children is exhausted as she's pregnant with her fourth, it's likely to be met with an "I told you so" attitude from those who have already inappropriately shared their thoughts about family size. And she rarely gets sympathy. More likely, she'll get a "you made your bed, now lie in it" perspective from most of the people around her. But a first time mother struggling with morning sickness gets sympathetic comments and offers for how others can help.

And lest you think I'm just whining as a mom of four, I'm really not... I'm just stating things the way I've plainly seen them. And these are things I hear from many of you, my friends and readers."

I also am a mother of four and have experienced similar reactions too. I remember venturing out with my newborn fourth and my three older kids to Target. We got into the elevator with some other folks and by the time we reached the second floor and got off I whispered to my husband "do you feel like the circus just came to town and we're it?" It was the first of many times that our "large" family garnered some strange attention and attitudes. Definnitely an interesting topic and Jess' article is a great read.