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Friday night and I've just seen a woman in Lidl with 7 children

94 replies

LoyaltyBonus · 11/10/2019 18:05

I obviously don't know if they were all her own. Aged, I'd guess from about 2-10yo.

She was calm and smiley. The children were happy but quiet and still. She even stopped, after unloading her trolley, to give the eldest, a boy, a lovely peck on the top of his head.

I was in complete awe.

OP posts:
SimonJT · 11/10/2019 18:07

I barely managed sainsburys with one tonight, I felt like apologising to everyone else in the shop!

Youreterriblemuriel99 · 11/10/2019 18:08

I know a mum like that - has 5 (& a dog!) and still would like more. She’s very educated but loves being a SAHM. I’m in awe of her - no idea how she has the endless patience needed.

Youreterriblemuriel99 · 11/10/2019 18:10

...and I refuse to do more than a basket shop when I have my two with me!

BikeRunSki · 11/10/2019 18:12

I thought my next door neighbour had loads of kids for ages. When I had my own, and was looking for childcare, I realised that she was a childminder.

BruceAndNosh · 11/10/2019 18:12

I saw a couple in IKEA a couple of months ago with 7 beautifully behaved children. The parents looked happy,, relaxed and young.
I'd love to know their secret!

BikeRunSki · 11/10/2019 18:13

But big shop with many kids! Shock I’m in awe. This is why online delivery was invented.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 11/10/2019 18:15

Was she their teacher (the only person my fuckers behave for onlyjokingalittle )?

Moominfan · 11/10/2019 18:17

Some people are weird like that. I've got a friend with 3 under 3. Always worked with kids. Absolutely loved it, doesn't want them to go nursery and would have another if she could afford it

SmashingBlouseYouHaveOn · 11/10/2019 18:20

Reminds me of the mum next door from Outnumbered, haha.
Rest assured, her kids probably had an argument later because one was looking at the other.

Windydaysuponus · 11/10/2019 18:26

I have 6 dc at home, few more have left home. Shopping was always fab with several!!
Aldi is amazing!!

Gretais · 11/10/2019 19:22

I get ASDA delivery and I've only got one

Deathraystare · 11/10/2019 19:35

The other day I saw a smartly dressed older woman there (Lidl) - wearing Chanel! Sadly she was let down on the hair front. Not sure if it was a wig or she hadn't brushed it at the back but she did look well in her Chanel!

Deathraystare · 11/10/2019 19:36

Sorry - I know it was off topic but I was amazed!

Ginkypig · 11/10/2019 20:08

The more you have the more help there is though isn't there?

While the older ones can't and shouldn't parent the younger ones they are able to for example hold a younger siblings hand to stop them running off while mum or dad packs the bags etc.

Soubriquet · 11/10/2019 20:09

Bet they were all bribed Grin

TinklyLittleLaugh · 11/10/2019 20:16

I used to take my four to do the big shop and bribe them heavily: comic each if they were all good. And they went without if they weren’t.

In my experience many big families tend to have really well behaved kids; no room for indulging bad behaviour in our house.

IdentifyasTired · 11/10/2019 20:17

I love looking at big families. That makes me sound creepy but they’re fascinating!

managedmis · 11/10/2019 20:18

I bet you were

She's smiling because of the diazapam

BeverlyGoldbergsHairAndJumpers · 11/10/2019 20:20

Had they been past the cereal aisle yet? That’s when it all goes to shit in my family, when they can’t agree on what type to get. Squabbles over the fake Wheetabix always happen.

Princess752 · 11/10/2019 20:21

I have 7 kids and get my shopping delivered. I've actually never taken all 7 out together!! Oldest nearly 19, youngest 1

FreeButtonBee · 11/10/2019 20:23

I had to shepherd 5 children home from school this evening (play date and one mum left something behind) and was in awe of myself (3 were mine).

My granny had 12 children!!!!! But then they never went anywhere (different era...)

OkayGo · 11/10/2019 20:24

I know someone who has 7 children and I've always been in awe of her

I guess some people are just made for it

I am not made for it in any way shape or form

EmmiJay · 11/10/2019 20:32

Maybe she'd been at the gin before she went shopping? I've done one big shop at Sainsbury's after school with my DD and NEVER again. She jargon stimmed me to death. Either way, well done that mum! Grin

BrokenWing · 11/10/2019 20:43

I was one of 5 and always impeccably behaved when out with mum.

It was crowd discipline/conditioning and the threat of wait until we get home and I tell your dad always there. Dad had a belt, the type used in schools (this was the 70s/80s), he never used it, he was a big man and the threat was enough.

Bribed children try hard but still make mistakes. I always think children who are too well behaved are conditioned and scared of the consequences.

sweetkitty · 11/10/2019 20:47

Shopping when my four were young was fun, now that two are teenagers it’s torture, they argue more now, wins up the smaller ones and just look miserable when they are not on their phones.

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