AMA
JacintaJones · 12/07/2018 20:22
I don't know how I cope, I suppose five children is my reality so I don't compare myself to those with none/less.
As for affording it I have a good career, a low mortgage in the North West and a generous mum 😊
I don't know why the environmental impact doesn't bother me. Honestly if the UK birth rate was higher I may be more inclined to worry.
I don't think my children are disadvantaged materially by their siblings, certainly I would worry less about money if I had less children and I would have more savings but my children currently have the same things their peers do.
I have a people carrier, holidays are fine but yes, very expensive and necessitate a babysitter on occasion. We usually holiday with family/friends amd OH and I get a couple of city breaks per year.
Housework is the bane of my existence ditto laundry.
Best of luck Birthday!
JacintaJones · 12/07/2018 20:27
As for individual attention my mum babysits so we can take each child out on dates to the cinema or for dinner on their own, I also do 'girls' days and 'boys' days, time with the elder two on activities and the younger two at soft play etc.
They aren't all together all the time but time as a family is important too.
They all get along.
They bicker but don't fight or name call. I'm reliably told that bickering is 'normal' 
Spare time?
I get to read books and drink wine, is that what you mean?
JacintaJones · 12/07/2018 20:35
I wouldn't comment negatively on one child families.
I was very privileged but very lonely, however I know other only children who wouldn't change a thing about their childhood.
However, I think I'd be naive to pretend it didn't inform my choice to have a relatively large family.
PaulHollywoodsSexGut · 12/07/2018 20:58
Sorry to keep pelting questions and invasive ones but which 4 were CS, for what reason and how the feck did you cope recovering with your children needing you?
Again I pry as a) 2 CS’ for failure to progress, I’m scared number 2 has fucked my insides a bit and fear a third may mean no more babies and b) number two took ages to heal from I think as I was dealing with 20mo DD too much
JacintaJones · 12/07/2018 21:03
First was keillands forceps as I was a stupid twenty two year old who believed the NCT class bollocks and refused a c section after 24 hours active labour.
Cue syntocinon as I wasn't dilating and DS was a posterior lie.
The consultant implored me to have a section and I should have listened to him.
I learned my lesson and last four were elective sections.
Wow Hedgehog I'm so pleased you got your fifth DC after all of that!
Are you done now or planning six at any point?
Hedgehog80 · 12/07/2018 21:11
I’m done ! Feel like I really and truly have pushed my body to its limit. Had HG in 4/5 pregnancies.
Recovery was v v easy after c section 5 and the surgeon said barely any scar tissue so although they’d never advise any more if I wanted to I could. I had placenta accretion with my second and fourth though so feel that my youngest is a blessing and that I was also v v lucky as it was a risk to take. I’m just enjoying him he’s wonderful I think to have another would take some of that away I waited so long for him I want to make the most of this and by the time id be considering about another I think I’d be too old !!! I tend to have quite big gaps between babies
JacintaJones · 12/07/2018 21:18
Hedgehog I understand your sentiments entirely.
I too feel so very fortunate to have five healthy, happy children.
I think any more would have been pushing my luck too.
Enjoy your last baby, I'm finding it bittersweet and still dressing him in babygros at nineteen months 
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