“We’ve left everything up to God and we are happy with whatever God decides to give us. We don’t use contraceptives” stated Patty Hernández.
Every year, fewer and fewer children are being born globally. While the planet’s population continues to rise, this is due to increased life expectancy, thanks to technology and medical advances, not higher birth rates.
And it looks like the ideal of having several children, as was the norm a few decades ago, isn’t the dream of all couples anymore. Nowadays, young couples dedicate themselves more to their jobs and to enjoying their lives without children, or with a couple of children at most.
But while this seems to be the current trend, there are still people who wish to have large families and the following example is proof of this.
Patty Hernández, 38, has 15 children and this week she revealed that she is expecting her 16th, only 3 months after giving birth to her youngest. She says that she won´t rule out having more babies in the future.
Hernández and her husband Carlos, 37, live with their large brood in a 5-bedroom house in Charlotte, North Carolina, which includes a nursery with 5 cribs.
According to The Daily Mail, the couple spends around $500 dollars a week on food and diapers and they are currently buying a new vehicle as the family has outgrown their 16-seater bus.
Among the children there are 5 boys and 10 girls, including 3 sets of twins..
All of the children have names beginning with the letter ‘C’ in honor of their father who works as a floor cleaner to provide for his family.
Carlos Jr, 12, Christopher, 11, Carla, 9, Caitlyn, 9, Celeste, 7, Cristina, 6, Calvin, 5, Catherine, 5, Carol, 4, Caleb, 3, Caroline, 3, Camilla, 2, Charlie, 1 and Crystal, 4 months, will be joined by a baby sister, who is due in May 2021.
Despite admitting that raising so many kids can be stressful, the mother of 15 is pleased to be having more children.
“It’s a little bit more stressful and difficult with a newborn. The babies are always crying and I have to look after them. But it’s a blessing that we enjoy.” She added.
“We’ve left everything up to God and we are happy with whatever God decides to give us. We don’t use contraceptives” stated Patty Hernández.
And while Patty’s situation might sound like a nightmare to many women, this mother is over the moon about her pregnancy.
“I’m so happy when I’m pregnant. 3 months after giving birth I generally get pregnant again.”
Patty added that having so many children creates a lot of domestic chores, but she’s already teaching the older children to chip in and lend a hand.
“Right now I have a huge pile of laundry, which means at least 5 hours of folding clothes every 2 days” She explained. “I do the laundry at least 4 times a week. When the children play they often leave their toys on the floor so I have to clean that up as well.”
“I try to get them into a routine so that they clean up after themselves. They each have their own chores. The eldest sometimes makes his own pancakes but I do the cooking most of the time.” She revealed.