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Original poster

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:

Snooks1971 · 11/10/2019 23:17

@Boots20 that is me!

ChicCroissant · 11/10/2019 23:21

believer

A friend of mine from a large family (comfortably into double figures) told me that his family used to have two sittings for Christmas Dinner. I love cooking Christmas Dinner but I wouldn't want to do two sittings of it.

sparkli · 11/10/2019 23:29

I have 6 DC who are close in age. Wheny youngest was born I had 6 under 7 years! They grew up together, supporting each other and nearly always behaved like angels in public. I remember one time being in a restaurant and an American lady coming up to us to say she worried when we all traipsed in, but she was delighted in how well behaved they were. Just as well she didn't see them at home!!

My granny always said it didn't matter how kids behaved at home, as long as they knew how to behave when they were out and about. She was a wise woman

GothMummy · 11/10/2019 23:34

My friend has 9, all are very well behaved outside the house but all bets are off at home! Its chaos and kid led anarchy at home..... Great kids though.

crimsonlake · 11/10/2019 23:46

Shopping seems to have become a family outting these days. I avoided taking mine at all costs, not that they were badly behaved, simply because I did not want to drag them out shopping. I agree it is lovely to see well behaved children, it makes a refreshing change.

TemporaryPermanent · 11/10/2019 23:47

Lol boots20

I know a family that had a single, lovely, went for another, had twins. Wow. Ok well not as bad as all that so they thought a fourth would be lovely.

Triplets

Great family. They used to say that they simply couldn't have too many rules, nor could they allow complete chaos, so most of it was 'whatever works' but in a functional rather than indulgent way.

zebrasdontwearbras · 11/10/2019 23:51

@OhMsBeliever Your post made me

I only had 3 and found it so lifechanging, I didn't have any more. Despite all my dreams that my children would be the most perfectly behaved children ever - because obviously I would be the most perfect mother ever - it transpired that this would not be the case.

I suffered the most embarrassing outings imaginable - at supermarkets/friends houses/cinemas/parties... you name it, it was an embarrassment... helps.

Pixxie7 · 12/10/2019 00:03

I had a friend who had 7 under 7 who claimed it was easier than having one or two because they watched out for each other. Could never see it myself but maybe she has a point.

AuchAyeTheNo · 12/10/2019 00:20

They are either all drugged up to the eyeballs or threatened within an inch of their life 😆

God I can’t even pop to the coop with mine 😡

RubbingHimSourly · 12/10/2019 00:23

I know a lady who has seven DC, they have a house with land and a few farm animals and every summer go backpacking around a different, corner of the world. They make time for them individually and are happy just being around each other........ Fucker's are like the vonn trappes........I actually think if either parent ever lost their shit the world would pause.

Nope, wouldn't happen.

Jux · 12/10/2019 00:28

I saw a woman in Lidl a few days ago. She looked about 15 to my aged eyes. She was probably extrapolate 20s at most, had a young toddler and a massive fellowship of ingredients, and I thought she ' s so calm so on top of things, so capable and lovely. I wanted to fo!low her home and move in!

caringcarer · 12/10/2019 00:35

When I was at school one of the girls in my class had 15 siblings. One set of triplets and three sets of twins in the mix. She said she only wanted one child herself as she had to help her Mum with a lot of childcare of the younger ones.

mathanxiety · 12/10/2019 01:03

Ginkypig Fri 11-Oct-19 20:08:05
The more you have the more help there is though isn't there?

It's not really that.

It's more that when you find yourself truly outnumbered you are faced with a stark choice - you either parent effectively or your life descends into utter chaos and everyone suffers.

If you choose effective parenting, you will find that you can take your children anywhere.

mathanxiety · 12/10/2019 01:08

@minipie none of my 5 slept through until they were well over 12 months. One notably slept through aged 2.5. All horrifically picky eaters too.

23Squared · 12/10/2019 01:14

@EmmiJay What on earth does 'jargon stimmed' mean??

Boxerbinky · 12/10/2019 04:45

A fellow mum at my little boys nursery has triplets, I walk out with my little monkey hanging off my head, she is the picture of organisation and calm.. I too am in awe!

minipie · 12/10/2019 09:48

@mathanxiety ouch! Sounds tough. I can’t be a nice parent to 2 children on broken sleep, never mind 5. You must have great patience.

Minai · 12/10/2019 11:43

I have to do a supermarket sweep style run in and grab what I can before someone kicks off. And I only have 2. Hats off to her.

EmmiJay · 12/10/2019 20:41

@23Squared She autistic and her stimming involves talking non-stop in jargon. It happens when shes overstimulated and tries to calm down.

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