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)

Blimey Saphire - I have so many questions for you

How do you do it?
Do you have any help?
How do you cope with the tiredness?
Do you ever wish you had more time for you?
Do you ever get to have a bath/coffee/time to read the paper?

I have only 2 DDs and I feel permanently frazzled and exhausted.

My father in law is one of 9 and when we get together with that side of the family it's like a village all on its own. He loved it and I find large families fascinating.

YADNBU - BUT HOW DO YOU DO IT? Please tell us.

I am tearing my hair out with 2, so think you must be somewhat crazy, however yanbu if this is what you want, you pay for them yourself and give them all the love and attention they need.

10? Lummey

YANBU, but bloody well done. I am exhausted after looking after 2. You deserve a medal!

just jealous here!!

YANBU. How lovely

What honestly goes through my head is just amazement. I have never known a large family that didn't seem pretty happy overall, and good for you. I have no doubt that your children are happier than my only - I would have liked another but it just seemed impossible. What a wimp I am!

I really think it's wonderful. Admiration rather than judgement here. My three love each other so much, and I was an only until my sister, whom I love so dearly, was born when I was 16. So I'm definitely in the siblings-are-good camp.

Can we see some photos Sapphire2012?!

I'm sure this is a cliche question in these situations, but I have only two, poor sleepers - when do you find the time to make more children??
I only have two because I honestly couldn't cope with many more - I think we'd manage with one more but after that we couldn't practically or financially afford it. I already feel guilty that my attention is split in two and not sure how I'd cope with more in the mix. How on earth do you cope when they are all ill, one after the other?

well as you did ask...I do genuinely wonder how you can give one to one attention with quite so many. that would be my main concern. I struggle to give my 2 DC enough attention! so nowt do with welfare etc, but more around nurturing time. I think the same of octomum, but I am sure you are not like her!

I think I am too selfish to have more children. I like some order and predictability in my life, which I guess you can never really get with that many!

My mum is one of 11 so can't judge but I would like to know why! This is an awful assumption to make - and I know I'll get roasted as in AIBU - but I always think people with that many must really like being pregnant - and of course new babies. Would honestly love to know.

Hmmmm. I think if you could carbon offset your children it wouldn't be so bad.

I suppose 1 in 5 women has no kids at all, so you're using up someone else's unwanted 'baby allowance'.

Otherwise it's pretty inexcusable in ecological terms.

But bet you have lovely christmases!

OP its definitely not definately - you are not educated beyond age 10.

anonymosity - I assume you are joking. A spelling error does not conclusively prove someone has limited education. It proves they made a spelling mistake.

It's 6:40 christmas morning and every one of my children are still asleep. Bliss!

So I'll try to answer somequestions.

MsKLo - How Do You Cope? You just do. Take each day as it comes. There is no real answer.

amijee we have 8 bedrooms. I know that makes us sound rich and that we must live in a massive house. That is not the case. We received a substantial amount of money when DH's grandad passed away which we put towards a new house which has small attic rooms) DH is the only child of an only child. 2 eldest girls (11+10) share (their choice), then the next 3 have their own rooms, 3 year old twins share, next one has his own room, then the two little ones (18m + 7m) share. We have two 7 seat espaces for when we go out together as a family, and we have a 15 seat minibus for when I have them on my own (not very often)

OKComputer I would absolutely hate to only have one or two children, we are both entitled to have the families that we want. There is no right or wrong number of kids to have. How do you manage to keep a close eye on them? They know full well not to run off. They all hold hands with an older sibling when out. I have a triple pushchair for the three little ones, and the rest hold hands. How do I manage to feed them all properly? Probably a hell of a lot better than some people feed their two children! Yes, I do drive a bus (minibus). Recycling bins? Odd question. The same as any normal family. One for paper, one for plastic. Yes, they have the same father. My parents and DH's parents are fantastic help.

kittycat37 My body has adjusted to be able to cope on 5 hours sleep now. You get used to the tiredness, it feels normal. I wish I had more time to get things around the house done, but looking after the children IS for me. DH and I both get one hour a day to ourselves to do what we want with no children around (lock ourselves in our bedroom). It's definitely important to us both to have "me" time.

tryingtobemarypoppins2 Sorry but I don't show photos online.

StealthPolarBear LOL!! When do we find time to make more?? Erm. You just find time lol!!

anonymosity I'm not the greatest speller in the world.

Merry christmas, Everyone.

Sapphire I think it must be lovely to have so many am very [envious]!

Whoops Have a great Christmas - I'm still waiting for dd to wake up!!

Agree with Violethill

"If you are comfortable with having 10 children, and are able to support them, then why ask?

Some people will think you are unreasonable, on the grounds of over population and dwindling resources.

Some people will think its not a problem.

Most people will shudder at the thought of it."

I'm in the camp of the vaguely disapproving (on ecological grounds) and shuddering (on sanity grounds).

I'm one who finds large families fascinating. I'm the eldest of five, mother was from a larger family and DH's father is one of eleven.
I have two and originally wanted more but there's rather more to the parenting lark than I orginally envisaged. I've got plenty of time and may have another one or two, but more than 4 would kill me: the pregnancies, the mind - space kids take up, and the sense of not being able to move onto the next phase in life...
But hats off to you.

Sapphire How did you find the 10 and 11 month age gaps? How long did they have to spend in hospital being prem?

In developing countries where people don't have much 10 children probably consume the same as one child in the UK.

But families with 10 children in the UK? Environmental profligacy on a grand scale

OP - do you fully breastfed, use cloth nappies , dress your children in hand-me-downs and make them walk everywhere? I hope so.

"we have 8 bedrooms. "

Oh my. Makes me a bit

"We have two 7 seat espaces and we have a 15 seat minibus"

"I know that makes us sound rich and that we must live in a massive house. "

Yes it does really (Well it does to me)