The study explores the relationship between the value of children and fertility behavior in Mulo-Sululta,rna district bounding Addis Ababa in the north. Using survey questionnaire, a primary data wererncollected from 982 currently married couples having at least one living child in April 1998. This surveyrnwas complemented by focus group discussions with knowledgeable local people of differentrnsocioeconomic background in both rural and urban areas. To explore the relation between fertility desires and socioeconomic and demographic factors atrnindividual level, univariate, bivariate and multivariate statistical techniques were used. For this, mean,rncross-tabulations, ANOV A and MeA were employed.The bivariate analytical results show that age, number of living children, household income andrneducational level has negatively correlated to number of additional children desired. Males more thanrnfemales and rural respondents more than urban were found desiring for more mean number of additional children. In addition to these, actual and expected labor assistance as well as old age securityrnmotives were found to be important motivating factors for having more children. The multivariaternanalysis also show the same result except those younger couples below the age of 25 were foundrndesiring fewer number of additional children than those aged 25-34.rnFinally, the study concludes by suggesting some policy relevant intervention areas in relation to value ofrnchildren and fertility relationship. The need for in-depth study in the same area was also recommended.