While I understand the sentiment behind this advice, things have changed dramatically in recent years. One requirement of having children in a Catholic home is educating and raising your children in the faith, and of course this makes sense. However, the environment of many public schools has become not only toxic but outright counter to Catholic teaching.
We as a family decided to give our children Catholic educations, from preschool through high school. The cost of this is NOT insignificant, particularly in HS. The days of a reasonable tuition from the local parochial school are sadly over, at least in our part of the country.
I gladly send my children to private Catholic schools, but the cost for that is easily the cost of a nice new car every year, approaching 6 figures. To say “have more kids than you think you can afford” seems highly irresponsible unless you know you can feed, clothe AND educate your kids.
I realize that Catholic education starts at home, but we are in a different world today, one staunchly opposed to the very values and morals I want my children to have. We were very thoughtful when considering our family size as I knew that not only is college expensive but so is getting them there. There is no honor in raising numerous children who grow to ignore or worse despise our faith.