One family’s decision to continue having children despite financial struggles sparks a debate on the role of personal responsibility and the importance of traditional family values.

Patty Hernandez, a 38-year-old mother from Charlotte, North Carolina, is pregnant with her sixteenth child, just three months after giving birth to her fifteenth. Despite the financial struggles that come with raising such a large family, Patty is eager to continue having children and refuses to use contraception, believing that it is up to God to decide.

With a household of fifteen children already, the Hernandez family is barely making ends meet, spending over $500 a week on groceries and household essentials. Carlos, the father of the children, works as a floor cleaner to keep up with the bills. The family has already outgrown their sixteen-seater bus and will need to purchase a larger vehicle soon.

Patty’s desire to continue having children is not without its challenges. Running the household is stressful, and Patty spends more than a decade of her life pregnant. However, she is addicted to the feeling of being pregnant and loves the chaos of having so many children in the house.

Despite the financial strain, Patty remains committed to her decision not to use contraception. She believes that whatever God wants to give her family, they will be happy. While it may be difficult at times, Patty enjoys being a mother and finds joy in the daily routine of taking care of her children.

“It is a bit more stressful and difficult with a newborn,” she admitted. “The babies are always crying, and I have to take care of them. But it is a blessing. We enjoy it. We have left everything to God, so whatever God wants to give us, we will be happy. We don’t use contraception.”

The Hernandez family is certainly unique in their situation, but they are not alone. There are many families across the country who have large families and struggle to make ends meet.

“I’m so happy when I’m pregnant,” she said. “Around three months after I have a baby, I usually get pregnant again.”

However, the Hernandez family’s situation highlights the importance of personal responsibility and the need to make smart decisions when it comes to family planning.

“Right now, I have a thousand clothes to wash – that’s at least five hours of folding clothes every two days,” she explained. “I do laundry at least four times a week. When the kids play, they often leave toys on the floor, so I need to clean that up too. I try to give them a daily routine to clean up after themselves. They have their own chores. The older one makes his own pancakes sometimes, but most of the time, I am the one doing the cooking.”

While it may be admirable that Patty is committed to her faith and allowing God to guide her family’s size, it is also important to consider the financial and practical implications of having so many children.

The cost of raising a child in the United States is estimated to be around $233,610, and that is for one child. With fifteen children, the Hernandez family is facing a monumental financial burden.

Source: AWM