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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Large families

100 replies

GreeenFingers · 04/12/2012 10:13

I recently met a lady who has a 27 year old daughter with 9 children! I understand she started her family in her early teens.
How on earth does anyone manage with so many kids I wonder?
I know that a few generations back this was the norm, but then people lived as extended families and were on hand to give support.
I wonder why someone would want so many children?

OP posts:
Original poster
GreeenFingers · 04/12/2012 11:03

I once had a neighbour with 10 children, and she was dreadfull mom. Social services were regular visitors, as were the police etc. She was moved from her home over 100 miles away because her family caused so many problems.I don't think she ever set out to have so many children.

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AreYouADurtBirdOrALadyBird · 04/12/2012 11:04

I'll play. Does she live in a 6 bed house? Does she have a huge TV and loads of game consoles? Do her kids have designer clothes and iPhones?

Yellowtip · 04/12/2012 11:06

I have eight and these days you just stick the washing in the machine and it does it for you. Not like all those poor grans. It would have been hard then. It's just a question of management now, but without the level of physical graft.

SantaIAmSoFuckingRock · 04/12/2012 11:06

3 foreign holidays a year?

a goat?

AreYouADurtBirdOrALadyBird · 04/12/2012 11:07

My neighbour with one child is a weapon. What's your point?

Yellowtip · 04/12/2012 11:08

I don't have a goat OP but I do have a dog and two guinea pigs. Also a large flat screen tv.

Original poster
GreeenFingers · 04/12/2012 11:08

The lady I know of lives in a small terraced house and from what I can gather they don't have designer clothes,i phones etc.
A lot of pople you see with the latest "this and that", often don't have the basics like, proper bedding, a pantry filled with food or proper curtains at the window. I know because thats what I see a lot of in my neighbourhood.

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somewherewest · 04/12/2012 11:10

Both my grandparents came from big families (one with seven children, one with eight) and totally loved their childhoods. Part of it has to do with expectations, on the part of both parents and children. When big families were the norm children expected less in terms of space, privacy, money spent on them, one-to-one time with parents etc. Likewise parents just didn't have the time to be PFB.

SantaIAmSoFuckingRock · 04/12/2012 11:10

yellow , you know you can get a goat if you give up 2 of your older children?

Original poster
GreeenFingers · 04/12/2012 11:12

Yellowtip,you must be incredibly organised. I get into a flap with just one!My ironing basket is overflowing after just one week.

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AreYouADurtBirdOrALadyBird · 04/12/2012 11:13

Betcha the kids are Chardonnay, Rocky,Jayzee and Beeyonce (twins),Keeysha,Brody,Georgina,Tyson and baby Pinky.

ChestnutsRoastingonaWitchesTit · 04/12/2012 11:14

My gran had 14. My mum has 5. My brother has 6 and I have 4 (almost!)

Our tribe have strong genes. We want to take over the world Xmas Grin

Original poster
GreeenFingers · 04/12/2012 11:15

Durtbird, that is very naughty of you.

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AreYouADurtBirdOrALadyBird · 04/12/2012 11:16

I know. Grin

AreYouADurtBirdOrALadyBird · 04/12/2012 11:18

No Santa pressies for me.

Original poster
GreeenFingers · 04/12/2012 11:21

Chestnuts, however did you come up with such a name?? I've noticed tits, fanjo and the F word come up a lot.

OP posts:
AreYouADurtBirdOrALadyBird · 04/12/2012 11:24

No pressies for anyone so.

Original poster
GreeenFingers · 04/12/2012 11:34

You can't do this on Netmums. You can't call yourself Myfanjosbloodykillingmefuckingsheepsgagger" or can you?Shall I try?

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AreYouADurtBirdOrALadyBird · 04/12/2012 11:39

Go ahead. Tell them your crusty gusset is stuck to your pubes and should you rip or Peel.

Original poster
GreeenFingers · 04/12/2012 11:45

I'd love to. Most of my posts got deleted. I was forever putting my foot in it,and saying the wrong thing.

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AreYouADurtBirdOrALadyBird · 04/12/2012 11:52

No pressies for you either.

BumpingFuglies · 04/12/2012 11:53

Did you know your neighbour well OP?

Oblomov · 04/12/2012 11:57

Dh is Irish, Italian Catholic.
There is a big irish and italian catholic community here. They all have big families.
Why does someone having lots of children bother you OP?
Bet they do a better job of looking after their 9, than I do looking after my 2.

Original poster
GreeenFingers · 04/12/2012 11:58

The one with 10 kids. I knew her to say hello to. It was such a sad case. I felt for her children, She used to have all night parties and sometimes " turned tricks" in the street. While she lived here 2 of her children were taken into care. I know this has nothing to do with the number of children you have, but surely having 10 can't help. This woman was irresponsible.

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Original poster
GreeenFingers · 04/12/2012 12:01

I am not offended or bothered by people having large families. I just wondered why someone would want to many, especially if they weren't part of an extended family..9 is a lot for someone on thier own, however much they love them.

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