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Is this enough?

7 replies

Kezmum14 · 07/03/2020 07:43

we are a normal working class family, partner works 40hrs a week and I work 30 hours. We get child benefit but not tax credits. I think we’d probably get childcare cost help but don’t need it as I work my job around the children.
We have a 3 bedroom hose but will possibly extend to make it a 5 bed (next year)
We have 4 children and I’m currently pregnant. The 2 eldest share (15 and 12) happily at the moment and the 2 youngest share too. (5 and 4). The bedrooms aren’t a massive issue just something I’d like to can get sorted so my eldest gets some privacy.
It’s more to do with activities and general life.
My eldest is in a football team and trains once a week then plays a match once a week, he’s also member of the gym and goes a few times a week. (He recently quit gymnastics and cadets)

My middle one is also a member of a football team, training and playing each week. He ask goes to Scouts and plays hockey and basketball for school (we support this but don’t have to pay).

The youngest 2 have violin lessons, swimming lessons and play football but once a week just for fun. They are on the Beavers waiting list.

The older 2 have both had swimming, music, trampolining, martial art and gymnastic lessons over time which they’ve completed or given up at some point.

This baby will have the same opportunities as their siblings but lots of people have commented on the cost of a big family. We also spend time at home playing board games, eating together and family walks and family days. We tend to go on camping holidays mainly but have also been abroad most years.

Im not sure if it’s my hormones but I’m now wondering if it’s enough and getting quite upset by the comments. My children are loved and supported through life. Yes they share bedrooms but i think we give them the best life we can with what we earn and can afford. I do sometimes go without so the children can do Extras like residentials at school and this doesn’t bother me at all. Hoping this is all hormonal as it’s making me feel really down recently.

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Circlesroundandround · 09/03/2020 14:30

Lots of kids are overloaed with activities and its not fun for parent or child. Time at home/down time/family time is important to Sounds like you have a good balance to me. Do what works for you and the family.

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Emeeno1 · 09/03/2020 14:49

My older children talk the most about simple things they remember from their childhood like camping, picking blackberries and arguments over Monopoly. Try not to worry, life is often about simple pleasures more than grand experiences.

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coffeandcake30 · 09/03/2020 14:57

Sounds like your kids have good balance to me!!

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twins2019 · 09/03/2020 15:10

Your children are loved. I'm one of 4 as is DH. We planned on 3 ended up with 4 (twins!) we love our big family. I'm even tempted to have one more but only on more more hormonal days and when I spot teeny tiny babies. There is something magical about a big family and I know from my own that the support your children will provide to one another in the years to come will be incredible. Nothing is better than the shared upbringing of siblings and the memories and bonds you build.

My own childhood was incredible - we were not well off but I never realised this as the time. Mum and dad made sure we never went without and always supported us as much as they could with extra curricular things. I remember my dad worked extra weekends for a while - turns out that was to buy me a violin. He did the same for football boots / trips out.

Your children are loved. Sod everyone else and their views.

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HappyAsASandboy · 09/03/2020 15:22

It sounds like your kids are loved, supported and have a lot of opportunities.

We live a similar lifestyle, though we earn more than your family at the moment. We have three kids under 10 and another on the way, and we go camping a few times in the summer, the kids do one music lesson and Cubs each week, we eat out as a family a few times a month.

I just can't bring myself to spend £4K on a weeks holiday to the Canaries in October. Yes, they'd have a blast and we could afford it, but they don't need it. I'd rather keep it in the bank and spend it on what they need as they get older.

As long as your kids are happy, keep doing what's right for your family Smile

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Hannahlouise4026 · 11/03/2020 12:25

I only have 3, my eldest two are 5&6. 6 year old does swimming, football and beavers. He goes to a tutor once a week too. 5 year old does swimming and rainbows. With those activities the only day we don’t have things after school is friday. Honestly I think kids are overloaded with activities now. No way could we manage anything else with them, they would be exhausted. And that’s only two kids activities! My younest is only almost 1 so doesn’t have any set things yet.

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Mysocalledlifexx · 25/04/2020 15:55

Dont worry what anyone else thinks or says, seems like your doing a fab job better than many i know who only have 1 child.
Im a mum of 6 some of mine share & they love it so sharing a room isnt bad many do it .

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