Super interesting story! I hope to hear more about this family. As a homeschooling mom of 5, it’s kind of a shock to read a positive take on a large family. Thanks for this!
Love their casual dismissal of critics, so comfortable with who they are. My daughter is a stay at home mom homeschooling her 4, I couldn’t be prouder and am grateful as a grandparent for the abundant blessings. The real counterculture has a lot to teach us.
I’m a dad with one lovely girl who learned Suzuki violin from age 3 and I’m envious of these people. I married late, barely got one kid, and my wife was one-and-done. But we’re fortunate we got in the game before aging out. I wouldn’t trade fatherhood for anything.
Large families aren’t just unusual in most places; they’re despised. As Ms. Weiss mentions, the Orthodox Jews are the main other people having lots of children. Modern Orthodox easily 4-5, Chassids (fundamentalist) 10-12. How this phenomenon will remake the social fabric of cities like New York is little understood yet hugely important.
Last night we attended a Seder of 16 people, half of whom were childless. One rather odious person (she got my hackles up by speaking admiringly of Alvin Bragg) declared that she “didn’t believe in marriage”.
I hope there’s a turnaround in attitudes toward marriage and children in the developed countries. As Marc points out, we all have one appointment in life, and nothing we possess can come with us on that day.
Suzy, what no LGBQTMNOP in this story? Mozart, was he anti something so we can use the music to label these folks as Super Duper MAGA?
Actually, a cool story and nice to see some real life and even if you may not agree, some families are really happy with just being with family. I know I like my family more than the outside world and add in a couple of dogs and life is great. Not everyone needs to be embroiled in the crazy going on. Wish the family well and much happiness. Good story.
I've become so conditioned that as reading it I found myself wondering how the NYTs would have covered this family--sniffing at the home schooling or commenting on their carbon footprint, perhaps? But, no, thankfully--it's just a well-written story about an American family. Beautiful.
Thank you Suzy and Free Press! It is wonderful to read a good and happy story. We need more of these. I firmly believe that the majority of people are happy, leading good lives and trying to do their best. News, however, is defined for some reason, by the negative, i.e., the car crashes, etc. We need to remember and highlight, the good and positive news that exists all around us.
What a great story. I hope they have more kids bc the world needs more families like them.
Unfortunately I fear the leftist misanthropes are going to try to skewer them, because that’s what they do best...in fact, tearing down the righteous is virtually the only thing they do, as I write here:
It's a damning telltale of what social media has perpetrated upon us all that people feel no reservation in publicly criticizing and name-calling this clan, based on the most superficial and brief readings of their story (readings much shorter than this bit).
Why do people feel so entitled to cast judgment upon others? One problem is that the old feedback loop - the instant reaction you see on someone's face when you say something to them - doesn't exist in social media. You can be the biggest p***k in the world without emotional consequence.
I was particularly struck by people judging them for overpopulating the planet, when the reality is that most first-world societies have a looming "underpopulation" problem. Below-replacement fertility rates are already aging populations and straining social security and pension systems, which rely on working age people to support retirees. If such are to stay solvent, populations need to grow.
Wholesome, talented family! Wow. Thank you for that “palette-cleansing” story. The perfect antidote for the noisy, political nonsense we are bombarded with. Make music...not discord. Hope to see them on tour!
Super interesting story! I hope to hear more about this family. As a homeschooling mom of 5, it’s kind of a shock to read a positive take on a large family. Thanks for this!
Love their casual dismissal of critics, so comfortable with who they are. My daughter is a stay at home mom homeschooling her 4, I couldn’t be prouder and am grateful as a grandparent for the abundant blessings. The real counterculture has a lot to teach us.
whatever they become - may it not be "the kardashians"
I’m a dad with one lovely girl who learned Suzuki violin from age 3 and I’m envious of these people. I married late, barely got one kid, and my wife was one-and-done. But we’re fortunate we got in the game before aging out. I wouldn’t trade fatherhood for anything.
Large families aren’t just unusual in most places; they’re despised. As Ms. Weiss mentions, the Orthodox Jews are the main other people having lots of children. Modern Orthodox easily 4-5, Chassids (fundamentalist) 10-12. How this phenomenon will remake the social fabric of cities like New York is little understood yet hugely important.
Last night we attended a Seder of 16 people, half of whom were childless. One rather odious person (she got my hackles up by speaking admiringly of Alvin Bragg) declared that she “didn’t believe in marriage”.
I hope there’s a turnaround in attitudes toward marriage and children in the developed countries. As Marc points out, we all have one appointment in life, and nothing we possess can come with us on that day.
"They look you in the eye when they talk."
I've found this trait in children to be a very reliable measure of parental success generally.
God bless the de la Motte family.
Suzy, what no LGBQTMNOP in this story? Mozart, was he anti something so we can use the music to label these folks as Super Duper MAGA?
Actually, a cool story and nice to see some real life and even if you may not agree, some families are really happy with just being with family. I know I like my family more than the outside world and add in a couple of dogs and life is great. Not everyone needs to be embroiled in the crazy going on. Wish the family well and much happiness. Good story.
Interesting. I’m impressed they can live on seemingly nothing.
I've become so conditioned that as reading it I found myself wondering how the NYTs would have covered this family--sniffing at the home schooling or commenting on their carbon footprint, perhaps? But, no, thankfully--it's just a well-written story about an American family. Beautiful.
I love the "good news" story about wonderful people. It brightened my day and gave me hope for America.
Thank you Suzy and Free Press! It is wonderful to read a good and happy story. We need more of these. I firmly believe that the majority of people are happy, leading good lives and trying to do their best. News, however, is defined for some reason, by the negative, i.e., the car crashes, etc. We need to remember and highlight, the good and positive news that exists all around us.
This made my day.
I’ve always loved classical music. What they’re able to do with those instruments is beauty.
This is a wonderful, cheering story. And these children read books! Lovely.
Great story about family!
What a great story. I hope they have more kids bc the world needs more families like them.
Unfortunately I fear the leftist misanthropes are going to try to skewer them, because that’s what they do best...in fact, tearing down the righteous is virtually the only thing they do, as I write here:
https://www.sub-verses.com/p/modern-liberalism-is-an-anti-human
It's a damning telltale of what social media has perpetrated upon us all that people feel no reservation in publicly criticizing and name-calling this clan, based on the most superficial and brief readings of their story (readings much shorter than this bit).
Why do people feel so entitled to cast judgment upon others? One problem is that the old feedback loop - the instant reaction you see on someone's face when you say something to them - doesn't exist in social media. You can be the biggest p***k in the world without emotional consequence.
I was particularly struck by people judging them for overpopulating the planet, when the reality is that most first-world societies have a looming "underpopulation" problem. Below-replacement fertility rates are already aging populations and straining social security and pension systems, which rely on working age people to support retirees. If such are to stay solvent, populations need to grow.
Wholesome, talented family! Wow. Thank you for that “palette-cleansing” story. The perfect antidote for the noisy, political nonsense we are bombarded with. Make music...not discord. Hope to see them on tour!