Raising a Large Family

Southern Californian pediatrician/family physician Schlaerth here counsels parents of three or more children, conbining case studies of her patients, with her own experiences as the mother of seven. First she urges parents to consider the pros and cons before deciding to have another baby. Schlaerth, clearly sold on the advantages of many siblings, details the costs involved, but stresses that although material possessions can vanish, ``a child lasts forever.'' She offers suggestions on combating sibling rivalry and other common problems equally applicable to small families. On such serious matters as the death of a child and handicapped or chronically ill children, the advice is minimal. The book's appeal will probably be limited to women like the author: rising at 4:30 a.m., Schlaerth cleans house and attends to her children and professional duties, succeeding with apparent ease as wife, mother, housekeeper and doctor. (Jan.)