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AMA

AMA We’ve just bought an old farmhouse with 7 kids.

54 replies

Homeamongtheboxes · 27/07/2026 20:43

Please dont flame me because i know someone did a 7 kids AMA the other day and yes i did read it but every family is different arent they 😂

Thought id do one because we're probably about to disappear into complete chaos for the next however long.

We've literally just bought an old farmhouse today. Sale finally went through. Before anyone asks no its not a working farm. Just an old farmhouse with some land and a few old buildings. It needs ALOT doing before we can actually move in though. Honestly i think every room needs something.

We've got 7 children so yes its busy.

Anyway ask me anything. Happy to answer as long as its not anything that would identify us obviously.

OP posts:
Cathandkin · 27/07/2026 21:20

Why would you want all the chaos?.

BarrelofBeer · 27/07/2026 21:21

Hotandpointy · 27/07/2026 21:15

Disappointing thread, I was hoping it was about baby goats in a farmhouse. 😔

Live footage.

AMA We’ve just bought an old farmhouse with 7 kids.
orangehandles · 27/07/2026 21:21

Is the farmhouse a listed building? Or any other of the buildings?

Are there TPOs on any of the trees on the property?

Do you have mains drainage or a cesspit?

Cathandkin · 27/07/2026 21:23

Are all 7 children happy about this, or do they think it'll be extra childcare and housework?

Jan24680 · 27/07/2026 21:24

One of my classmates lived something like that. I have found memories of their composting toilet, barn parties and kids parties. They were a what you'd now call blended family and I randomly met an older sister I'd never met before a few years ago. Mum was a teacher, not sure what dad did. I

Cherrytree86 · 27/07/2026 21:27

What do you do for work?

Homeamongtheboxes · 27/07/2026 21:28

How much work is there to do- is it liveable?

It is liveable technically because the people before us lived there but its very tired. Damp in places, old kitchen, windows want replacing, bathroom isnt great. Theres loads of cosmetic stuff but some bigger jobs too. We arent moving straight in because we want to get the worst bits sorted first.

How much land do you have and what are you going to do with it?

Just under 5 acres. No idea really 😂 Everyone keeps asking if we're getting animals and honestly not at the minute. I think people hear farmhouse and think we're suddenly becoming farmers. We're definitely not.

How remote is it? Will the DC be able to get out and about and see friends?

Its rural but not miles from civilisation. Theres a village a few minutes away and a town not that far. They'll still be at the same schools so yes they'll still see friends.

HOW?
I have one child and couldn't think of anything more than basic house chores with her around how do you manage a house renovation and 7 children!?

Honestly i havent got a clue yet 😂 We havent even started properly. I imagine there will be lots of takeaway teas and everyone getting under each others feet. The older ones can help a bit and the younger ones mostly make more work if im honest.

Why?

Because we wanted more space and this was what we could actually afford. A finished farmhouse wasnt exactly within budget.

What do you both do for work? (To afford 7 kids and a renovation of a farm house)

DH works full time in construction and i work part time around the children. We're definitely not loaded before anyone thinks that. The house was cheaper because of the amount of work it needs.

The only question I have is can you afford to get professionals in to do the work or are you intending on spreading your attention towards your children even more thinly?

We'll get professionals in where we have to. We're not going to mess about with things that legally need doing properly. DH is handy though so he'll do decorating and bits himself where he can. The children arent going to be abandoned because we're decorating if thats what you mean.

So what first attracted you to your millionaire DH?

🤣🤣 I wish.

Are you renovating it yourselves? How old are your children? Are you very rural?

Bit of both. Some ourselves some professionals. My children are 14, 11, 11, 8, 7, 4 and 14 months. Rural yes but not completely in the middle of nowhere.

Are you going to start an insta page to document your progress called "9atnumber45' or similar?

Definitely not 😂 I can barely remember to take photos half the time.

Is the farm in Yorkshire, and are you Amanda Owen?

No and no 😂

Are you very rural OP?
Is there much in the way of cultural and social enrichment for your kids, or will you have to drive them everywhere whenever they want to go out?

We'll probably end up doing more driving than we do now yes. We knew that when we bought it. The older ones already do clubs and we'll carry on with all that. Im not planning on them growing up completely cut off from the world dont worry.

OP posts:
Pearshapedpear · 27/07/2026 21:29

BarrelofBeer · 27/07/2026 20:56

On that basis perhaps I could swap my two children for a medium sized bungalow.

If I throw the dog in I might even get one with solar panels.

Genius 😂

Pearshapedpear · 27/07/2026 21:31

Has it got an AGA? …. If it has you’ll end up
loving it.

Flannelfeet · 27/07/2026 21:31

BarrelofBeer · 27/07/2026 20:45

Was the price inclusive of the 7 kids or did you have to pay extra?

Baby goats? 🤭

Widoeeyes · 27/07/2026 21:32

what do you feel smuggest about? Your fantastic procreation skills? Or your new farmhouse?

Widoeeyes · 27/07/2026 21:33

Cherrytree86 · 27/07/2026 21:27

What do you do for work?

are you a sad dad?

Zov · 27/07/2026 21:33

BarrelofBeer · 27/07/2026 20:45

Was the price inclusive of the 7 kids or did you have to pay extra?

Beat me to it. 😆

Videos · 27/07/2026 21:37

The children arent going to be abandoned because we're decorating if thats what you mean.

I never used the word abandoned but statistically they already get much less time with a parent and now they will be competing for your time with each other and a huge DIY project.

You don't sound like you've much experience with renovations so I suspect you're in for a huge reality check.

Cathandkin · 27/07/2026 21:40

Are you members of a conservative religious sect?

dylexicdementor11 · 27/07/2026 21:40

Sherararara · 27/07/2026 21:02

Why so serious? The fun ones are much more entertaining.
Oh sorry, you’re here to perform a public service. My bad. Crack on.

Why are you being so rude?

Sugarnspicenallthingsnaice · 27/07/2026 21:45

You said 'bathroom isn't great'.

Bathroom. Singular. For 9 people???!!!

Homeamongtheboxes · 27/07/2026 21:49

Is the farmhouse a listed building? Or any other of the buildings?
Are there TPOs on any of the trees on the property?
Do you have mains drainage or a cesspit?

The farmhouse isnt listed thankfully. We did ask because i think that would have been a bit much for us. One of the old stone buildings has some restrictions because of its age but we're not planning on doing anything with that for a long time anyway.

No TPOs as far as we're aware. We had all the paperwork through during the sale and nothing came up.

Its on a septic tank not mains drainage. Thats all new to us

Has it got an AGA? …. If it has you’ll end up
loving it.

No AGA. It had an old range in there years ago apparently but thats long gone. The kitchen is probably one of the rooms that needs doing the most if im honest.

I never used the word abandoned but statistically they already get much less time with a parent and now they will be competing for your time with each other and a huge DIY project.
You don't sound like you've much experience with renovations so I suspect you're in for a huge reality check.

Fair enough, maybe i read your post the wrong way.

No we've never taken on anything this big before. Im under no illusion its going to be easy because if it was everyone would do it. Im sure there will be days where i wonder why on earth we bought it.

That said the children were part of the decision. We didnt drag them into something without thinking about them. Theyre actually really excited about having more space and we've got no plans to spend every waking hour pulling walls down. Life still has to carry on doesnt it.

Are you members of a conservative religious sect?

😂 No.

Just a big family. Nothing more exciting than that.

OP posts:
WanderlustMom · 27/07/2026 22:01

How many boys / girls do you have?
How many kids have to share a bedroom?
Do you find birth / postpartum a breeze since you’ve done it 7 times? 😅

spritzwiththat · 27/07/2026 22:05

Didn’t know that kids were currency. Wow.

moltopianissimo · 27/07/2026 22:09

Regarding this thread being identifying, I wonder how many families of nine there are who have just bought a farmhouse.

Cathandkin · 27/07/2026 22:23

Is it in Yorkshire?

Cathandkin · 27/07/2026 22:26

How are you able to buy a property yet not have to move into it?

TrailingPlant · 28/07/2026 08:30

Why did you have seven children?

Imdunfer · 28/07/2026 08:36

How high up is the house? Indoor renovation of an old building is one thing, keeping it water tight on an exposed hillside is quite another. Been there, done that, couldn't be happier to be living in a new build on an estate now.

Good luck and please keep us updated.