Another Radford

[triedandtestedteacher]

Is it me or are the Radfords a bit selfish? Loads of people congratulating them on social media about the new baby. I'm crippled with morning sickness at the moment and I know I'm not giving my dd 100 percent on this homeschooling as a result. How are they all getting homeschooled? How can they possibly attend to all the emotional, mental, physical and educational needs of those children? I caught one episode of their programme that showed her in hospital unable to attend her own son's birthday party because she was having yet another child. I know they say they're self sufficient with the bakery etc but they still use NHS and education resources. Her having that baby at this time is adding to the strain of the NHS. I just don't get how people can congratulate them

They’re awful. Truly awful. They should try therapy instead of popping out more dolls to play with.

Loved, fed and clean is the basics.
I doubt they attend any extra curricular clubs or get quiet time with each parent every day.
They're reckless and not a great example of good parenting.

What about live and let live. It’s their choice, leave them to it

When they put such a strain on the nhs and all other tax funded amenities and are claiming God knows how much child-tax credit (most kids were born before the cut off), nah

Sue doesn’t even believe in reading.

It definitely exists

They don't bother with homework, reading practice or anything in normal times, so it seems likely the children will have gone without any education since their schools closed.

It's insane. Can you imagine being married to a man who got you pregnant at 13 and then having another baby every year? Grim.

It may not be legally rape but morally it was.

I can't imagine the chaos in that household at the moment. It must be hell on earth.

They’re loved fed and clean.

So they damn well should be. Their parents chose to bring them here. They didn’t ask to be born

Depends what you mean when you say “they are loved”, bet you neither parent could tell you how any of them are doing in their education, what their last school project was. I think a loving parent invests time into their child’s growth and development.

I hate hate hate these threads. I'm NOT saying they should continue to have more; and obviously, their adoptions have affected them both profoundly, but everyone's capabilities and skill sets and interests and lifestyles are different. All women cope with pregnancy differently. I have one child (not through choice; I wanted more) and they are at the other extreme end of the spectrum with the majority in between. I think if you grow up with loads of people around you, you are possibly likely to fit in with society more easily than many onlys tbh. (And yes, there will be many parents of onlys (like me) who say that their DC integrate very well because they HAVE to, I am aware of that too!).

And all this talk of Noel being "creepy". Just stop it. There is a MASSIVE difference between a paedophile (someone who is sexually attracted to pre-pubescent children) and school sweethearts who fall in love, marry, have children together, and stay married and faithful to one another for the next twenty years or so. It's really awful what everyone is implying about someone who seems to be a fairly decent hands on man and father as far as I can see. I don't know the bloke, I've only seen one documentary like many others, but I think many mumsnetters would appreciate a husband who works as hard and is as involved with his children as he is. I'm surprised Mumsnet HQ let these constant insinuations stand tbh.

I am not saying their situation is ideal, but many of our individual situations are not. But until it is proven by the SS or equivalent that they are running some wierd cult or something, then what they are doing is not illegal or wrong (indeed it could be argued they are managing incredibly well in the circumstances) and I think the constant negative judgements are deeply unfair.

It definitely exists

Sadly, not in all homes

They were neighbours. They didn't meet at school (or a party or at a youth club or whatever) as peers when they were both teenagers. They met when she was a little kid four years younger than him. A few years later, he got her pregnant at 13. I'm not sure many people would describe that as a childhood love story rather than creepy.

You can waffle around it all you want Sly. There are no circumstances that make a 17yr old having sex with a 13yr old acceptable.

School sweethearts

This is what I mean by reframing. She was 13 and he was 17. That’s inappropriate and was still considered inappropriate 30 years ago, before anyone yells about ‘at the time’.

and school sweethearts who fall in love, marry, have children together

He impregnated his 13 year old neighbour when he was 17. It really isn’t the romantic tale you’ve tried to weave. They didn’t fall in love, get married and have children. He got her pregnant, then had to marry her.

It's really awful what everyone is implying about someone who seems to be a fairly decent hands on man

Hands on man is right.

I still don't understand why he has not been prosecuted for rape in the first place, it happened she was 13, put him in jail....

A 13 year old is a very different kettle of fish to a 17 year old. I actually think 16 is too young for sex never mind 13. It's a horrendous tale

The adults in Sue’s life failed her, that’s why

There is another thread on here about what age DC is most challenging during lock down. There were plenty that said babies and toddlers, and many said teens.....they've got all ages. That must be chaos!
And their food bill must be astronomical with everyone at home.

Hands on man is right. 🤣

I think if you grow up with loads of people around you, you are possibly likely to fit in with society more easily than many onlys tbh.

I couldn't disagree more. If their siblings are their friends then they are not fitting into society. What about all the play dates/sleepovers/birthday parties they miss out on, let alone after school clubs etc? They are a very insular family. Indeed when one of the girls tried to escape to uni, to have a normal life 'within society', they guilt tripped her into staying and working in the pie shop
All only children I have ever known have always been extroverted and put themselves 'out there' because they've had to.

And he is creepy and a bit simple 😂

All this talk of Noel being creepy just stop it.

So you’d be fine with a 17 year old impregnating your 13 year old little girl.

The constant pregnancy and childbirth cycle she is in honestly makes me wince with physical discomfort when I think about this woman. The whole thing is weird as fuck and it's wrong to keep being kids into such an odd situation.

I have 3 ages 7 4 and 9 months and while I wouldn't be without them I'm stressed only just manage to give them what they need and want. I think 2 is the max amount of children. I think both sue and noel but there needs above there children as no matter what you can not give that amount of children the love and attention they need.

What about live and let live. It’s their choice, leave them to it

They don't exist in a vacuum, the rest of us have to live on this planet as well. Sue and Noel will be as aware as the rest of us about the damage to the environment and the strain on resources as a result of having so many children.

Besides, if they wanted to be left alone, they wouldn't try to record and monetise every aspect of their lives.

So you’d be fine with a 17 year old impregnating your 13 year old little girl.

If a 17 year old even touched my Dd when she was 13, he wouldn't be seeing 18 that's for sure.