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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

16 kids and counting...

378 replies

thatisall · 11/01/2013 21:47

I genuinely don't know what I think, have no strong opinions about their lifestyle, life choices etc etc.....my first thoughts were that it was just too many but they seem very nice and happy lol

Am I being unreasonable to want to chat about the show on here anyway?

No I'm not a jour no trying to get a MN quote before someone suggests it....

....just sat at home alone thinking 16....? 16!? :-O

OP posts:
terilou87 · 11/01/2013 21:57

i was just watching it, yeah i was also thinking 16!! how do they cope. they do seem like a happy familiy but how much of it is put on for cameras.
can u imagine all the sibling fights. im one of 4 and we used to always fight and argue
it must be a very stressful life for the parents. hats off to them though, id be in the looney bin by now with that many children.

Kayano · 11/01/2013 21:58

probably get Galesburg I think it's pretty irresponsible to have 16 kids

KobayashiMaru · 11/01/2013 21:58

there is a whole topic for tv, and a thread about this show, so YABU, go to the right place.

LuluMai · 11/01/2013 21:58

They do seem such a lovely and chilled out family! The dad in particular is such a nice fella!

Original poster
thatisall · 11/01/2013 21:58

Hats off indeed. All beautiful children, well behaved, well turned out etc etc, but I was the oldest of five and us older ones ended up looking after the little ones all the time!

OP posts:
Kayano · 11/01/2013 21:59

Galesburg? flamed!

Original poster
thatisall · 11/01/2013 21:59

haha! I did wonder what a galesburg was?

OP posts:
Original poster
thatisall · 11/01/2013 22:01

I'm not sure I'd carry on if I was told, my health was seriously at risk...not really fair on the children you already have? Then again I'm probably just projecting my own feelings about lots of children. i don't know. I didn't expect them to look that happy I think.

OP posts:
terilou87 · 11/01/2013 22:02

kayano at the risk of sounding stupid, what does probably get galesburg mean??Confused never heard that before.

terilou87 · 11/01/2013 22:03

already ansered lol

MrsKeithRichards · 11/01/2013 22:04

I'm just jealous I can't get one of to school without some tears from someone and they manage all that!

HoHoHoNoYouDont · 11/01/2013 22:05

What a lovely family they are.

TraineeBabyCatcher · 11/01/2013 22:11

I think they're mad to be fair. I literally couldnt imagine dealing with all that. I love kids and love the idea of one day having a big family but I don't know how they manage the needs of all 16- even if you purely consider there needs around the house, clothes, food, etc.
She does make it look easy to have that many, most people would be running round like headless chickens after about 6! But they do seem like a really nice, well rounded family.

carabos · 11/01/2013 22:19

I dunno, I think they're bonkers, but in a lovely sort of way.

pinkoddballs · 11/01/2013 23:00

hi all I'm new here.
I interviewed Sue for my blog before the show and she is really nice. I just couldn't believe how much love a couple could have for their children. I think they came across as very well behaved children.

magimedi88 · 11/01/2013 23:04

DH & i both said that those kids will grow up & grab the world & have very few 'isshues'.

What a lovely family.

TinyDancingHoofer · 11/01/2013 23:29

They seem really nice but i would hate to be one of 16. How often do you think the older kids get to go out for dinner with just mum or just dad? I dunno i guess i wouldn't feel special if my parents had had me and then been like nope, need 15 more this family is not enough. That sounds harsh and quite self important, i don't think i am saying what i mean. Their kids are probably a lot less selfish than me!

apostropheuse · 11/01/2013 23:44

I thought they looked happy, loved and well looked after. It's of course entirely their choice how many children they have, provided they can care and provide for them. They obviously were doing this very well.

However, to be honest, I was a bit surprised that they're not ruling out having more, as it's now getting more dangerous for her to be pregnant. The increased chances of her haemorrhaging I would have thought would have put them off having any more.It would be so tragic for that lovely family to lose their mum when it could be avoided.

katiecubs · 11/01/2013 23:58

I could not get my head around how they even afforded them all?!?!!

Naysa · 12/01/2013 04:10

I'll probably get flamed for asking this but...

How do the parents nurture the older children when there is a constant stream of newborns?

A relative of mine has just had twins and has two much older children (the youngest being twelve years older than the twins) and she's found it hard to make time for the older two so how do hey manage it with 16?

And as for her having another when it is risking her health IMO says a lot about her priorities, I.e it's more important to have another newborn than stay healthy for the kids I already have.

Something about it just doesn't sit right for me ...

Naysa · 12/01/2013 04:13

I'll probably get flamed for asking this but...

How do the parents nurture the older children when there is a constant stream of newborns?

A relative of mine has just had twins and has two much older children (the youngest being twelve years older than the twins) and she's found it hard to make time for the older two so how do hey manage it with 16?

And as for her having another when it is risking her health IMO says a lot about her priorities, I.e it's more important to have another newborn than stay healthy for the kids I already have.

Something about it just doesn't sit right for me ...

MrsKeithRichards · 12/01/2013 08:29

They seemed very hands on with all of the kids.

everlong · 12/01/2013 08:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DancingRoundTheKitchen · 12/01/2013 08:55

I thought they all stemmed very happy and loved. I think it must be very special to be one of 16 and the siblings all seemed really close. But, I agree with Naysa, there can not be enough hours on the day to give all the children the attention (I think) they need, to nurture the older ones while caring for the younger ones.

LividDil · 12/01/2013 09:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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