In the Grodno region, there are currently about 200,000 children under the age of 18. Moreover, more than 45,000 of them are being raised in large families.

A BELTA correspondent spoke with women from Grodno to find out what factors they considered when planning pregnancy and how they assess the country's current state support measures.

The topic of family expansion became part of a large-scale republican sociological study conducted by the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Scientists presented the first part of data assessing current socio-economic development issues of the country, including citizens' demographic intentions.

Real plans

– The state provides a "basic rear" in the form of payments, benefits, free medical care, and support for mothers at the start of the journey, – noted Irina Skiba. – I think what holds people back is either plain fatigue, moral exhaustion from the modern world, the home-work routine, or background anxiety about the future, because sometimes it's scary to read the global news. And yet, I believe it's important to see light and hope in all of this.

The representative of the RUP "Grodnoenergo" shared her thoughts on having a second child:

– But only after an honest assessment of one's inner "battery" as a mother – parents must give their daughter or son not the leftovers of their tired selves, but care and warmth, show an example of a joyful, fulfilling life, not deplete oneself, but walk together and side by side". Irina Skiba admitted that she and her husband try to free their future child from their own unrealized ambitions: "We simply notice their interests and try to be a quality support group.

Maria Hres, a leading veterinarian at the PUP "Grodnokoopmeh", is the mother of a son and a daughter.

– I always wanted three children, as I grew up in a family of three. In general, our desire to have children was conscious; currently, my eldest daughter is 13, and my youngest son is 7. At the moment, we don't plan more children, but everything can change, – the woman noted with a smile. – Now my daughter is into drawing and music, and my son is into sports. Overall, I would like them to do in the future what they enjoy and what benefits society. But most importantly, I want them to be happy and successful in what they love.

– I think that what most influences people's decision to expand their family is financial stability and confidence in the future, as well as the availability of infrastructure (kindergartens, schools, healthcare). In my opinion, in our country, families with children, especially large families, are very well supported, – said Maria Hres. – But the most important thing, in my opinion, is for families to have the opportunity to spend more time with their children, not just work. Work-life balance is a key factor.

The Omelyanovich family from Grodno is a large family. Both parents work in the glass production industry. Kristina Omelyanovich, an environmental engineer at the Grodno Glass Plant, noted that, like many, she dreamed of a large family since her youth.

– I had a wonderful example – my dad had four brothers. I remember how I loved it when our huge clan gathered together at grandma's house. It was always so noisy, fun, and truly heartfelt. Of course, as I grew older, I began to approach this idea more rationally, weighing the pros and cons. But one thing I knew for sure: my child in the family would not be the only one, – she said. – Our first baby was truly long-awaited and wanted, because my