NEAT STORY BY MOTHER OF NINE KIDS, via Amy Welborn: “Not everyone wants so many, but having children early and close together not only means that one can concentrate one’s youth and energy during the time when one needs youth and energy, but also that one is left with a long span of life still to fill. It can be done, but not if you set out on the rigid, traditional career path. Above all, it requires support, and the most important support doesn’t come from family-friendly policies or more childcare. Women want families, and for that we need good men. IVF or frozen eggs are no substitute. We need husbands for ourselves, to complement and fulfil us, and we need fathers for our children.”

Italian men don’t come off especially well, though, in the last line of her opener: “‘Complimenti, signor,’ the Italian customs officer breathed as he grasped my husband’s hand and practically stood to attention. My spouse of 27 years gave a deprecating little wave to the group of officers who had come over to gawk after the word had gone around that he was ‘il padre di nove figli’ — the father of nine children. Meanwhile, behind this prince of manly virtue, I lumbered along with assorted plastic bags and Bob the Builder backpacks. As I herded the youngest through, the customs man called out, almost as an afterthought, ‘E brava la signora!’”

Anyway, a good basic piece, well worth the read.