To have 10 children

[Sapphire2012]

Hello waves I'm new around here. I'm Kirsty, mum to 10 lovely children. I'm curious as to what you honestly think of people with lots of children. I am not on any benefits and their child benefit goes into their savings accounts. (I hope this doesnt sound like I am bragging, I just hate when people assume we are scroungers, this is most definately not the case)

Thank you for being honest! The reason I asked is I'm sick to death of comments in the street from rude (usually elderly) people and just wondered what people really thought.

mickylee It involves a lot of noise, chaos, hair pulling (mine not the kids!) but most of all, patience.

bunnymother Yes, I have been pregnant 10 times which resulted in 13 babies including 3 sets of twins (only one full surviving set. I lost one baby from my second set in June this year at 3 weeks old. They were born at 31 weeks and I lost a set in August & November- first baby miscarried in at 5w and second was stillborn at 17w)

hellooutthere TBH we didn't plan on having so many, but we don't use birth control (not because we are careless, because we practice a loose form of NFP), but we also love children. I don't think any mum with lots of children can give a specific reason. I'm 80% sure I am pregnant now. If I am, then I'm less than 4 weeks, I'm 8DPO and will test on Monday at 11DPO. This one wll most likely be our last (I'm 38). I remember saying that after I had my now 3 year old twins (#6 and #7!!)

In all honesty, I think you're nuts but in a nice way...

I don't think I could cope with two, let alone ten.

How very rude that people comment in the street.

Tbh I imagine most people who see you out with ten children would just be amazed at your patience! It wouldn't be most peoples cup of tea but hats off to you

Well I am looking forward to your posts for sure :)

YANBU. I started a thread about the fact I had and only wanted one child, and people judge me on that all the time. THe moral and outcome of my thread was for people to have as many or as few children as they like. It's no ones' business and no one should care.

Oh my! How do you cope?! I find two exhausting and the pregnancies very hard! And you did it ten times! Wowwwwww!

I want to know how much you spend on nit treatments!

lol skybluepearl, that is definately an original! Nobody asked that one before. Must be lucky as we've only ever had two cases of lice.

It must be great to have a body that works so well! I wanted more children but my body had other plans : (

Can I ask how old is your oldest now?

She'll be 12 in 3 weeks. They are all close in age, the younger ones especially. I had the last 5(6) in 3 years (twins, then boy 16 months later, then girl just 10 months later but she was born one month early, then twins(but lost one) 11 months later but they were born at 31 weeks)

Wow, I'm jealous as hell! I love the idea of so many children, in all honesty 10 is my secret magic number Alas, its not to be, the two i have drive me nuts and my mental health isnt strong enough for anymore. (still love the idea of another 1 in a few years when I'm a bit stronger, or two perhaps )

You must have a fabulously happy household, Merry christmas to you all :)

Good for you !

I don't think I could handle ten 24/7 !
Two's plenty

But it used to be completely the norm a hundred years ago or so.

So I'm a bit surprised at the shock sometimes shown these days.

People seem to have a moan at anyone doing things slightly different to them !
-Older Mums, Younger Mums, People having only one, people having lots, people having none etc. etc.

So little empathy and tolerance around sometimes !

I know someone with 12 and they are one of the happiest families i know. Well done and good luck if you are pg

Feel nothing but admiration, really.

Large families are not particularly unusual in my family/background/social circle though.

what is the sleeping arrangement? Hope that doesn't sound rude but we had 2 sets of bunkbeds in 2 rooms!!

Also, how do you travel in cars? Do you have 2 people carriers?

At the risk of sounding like a misery, I would absolutely hate to have ten children! How do you manage to keep a close eye on them? How do you manage to feed them all properly? How on earth can you afford to feed them all properly?? You must live in a HUGE house!! Do you drive a bus? How many recycling bins do you have??

Why did you decide to have so many? Do the children have the same father?

OK - that is out of order! Especially the bit re the same father

Why is it out of order? Lots of people have children with different fathers!

Yes, they do, but your message was so negatively framed. Maybe i just read it that way - apologies if so. I just know that my friends with 12 (all the same father ) are so happy and none of the children seem to miss out. They have no vehicle which will transport them all together (although range from over 20 to 2 so maybe no need).

They are all fed, entertained and educated well

My questions are genuine! Most people would seriously struggle to afford the money and time to look after ten children properly.

I'm also genuinely interested to know if the children have the same dad. What other help if on hand too? Other family members?

Ooooh I'm so jealous .

I always wanted a big family, but DH has backtracked shamelessly after 2 DDs and says he can't handle anymore [chicken!]

Obviously YANBU!

I have five and they're great fun. Large families are wonderful and of course you can look after them all well. Some people cannot look after 1 and some are good with lots. Just depends on the person.

Sapphire - so sorry you lost 3 of your precious babies. I have just had twins so understand they can be risky pregnancies. You do have an amazing body, though, to carry 10 babies - it's worked incredibly hard.