To think 22 kids is...a lot ?

[GaaaaarlicBread]

We were talking about The Radford Family at work today . They are currently pregnant with their 22nd child (one of their babies , I think their 15th, though was born sleeping). So they’ll have 21 in the house.
I am all for big families , my Dad is one of 8, I have 19 cousins , So my family is pretty big although my husband and I personally want 3 maximum. I’m one of 3 also.
Am I being unreasonable to think 22 kids is quite OTT?? Mixed views in our office , ranging from ‘money scroungers’ ‘she’s obsessed and controlling the husband’ and ‘she wants the attention’

Just want your opinions really ! I think it’s a bit cruel to the other children as I reckon they probably have to help more than they should , but not bothered about the money bit as they do own their own pie business so they do work !

Well I honestly don't think that you can them the attention they deserve.
I have a teenage dd and 6 year old ds and I love spending one to one time with them. I can't see how you could possibly do that with 21 kids at home. Makes me feel really sad for them.

one of their babies , I think their 15th, though was born sleeping

What fresh euphemistic hell is this. Do you mean still born / died at birth? If so, say so.

Whoever called them money scroungers must be thick as mince, children cost a fair bit.

My opinion is that it probably stems from attachment issues. They have said that they wanted to create a family after being brought up in care.

So it is what it is. They quite quickly knew no other life and have just continued.

Of course it's OTT.

A few of them are adults and presumably not living at home anymore.

Lifecraft, the term 'born sleeping' is perfectly acceptable.

I think it must surely be too many, but three was my limit and three is what I had.

I have no problem with the term "born sleeping" It is how a friend of mine prefers to refer to their own stillborn child. Horses for courses, and no need to pull anyone up on it.

• @ponoka7 * thank you , I thought it sounded perfectly acceptable too but questioned myself before reading your comment . You can’t win on here sometimes , if I had said still born there would’ve been someone comment on that too.

They weren't brought up in care; they were both adopted as babies. Most adoptees don't have 22 babies!

I agree they can't possibly give them enough attention or 1:1 time. I wonder if they even know all their DC's personalities very well.

That said, they won't have 22 at home, as one was stillborn as you mentioned, and at least 2 of the older ones have left home. That's still a lot of kids, though. I wonder if this will be her last (doubt it).

I think it way too much. You could not give them the attention that they need

@Topseyt thank you , my grandma prefers ‘born sleeping’ too , as she lost a baby before she had my mum . I think it’s respectful

Seems to me they love having a newborn, once they hit toddlerhood the older kids take over and she’s pregnant again.

And I also thought born sleeping was an acceptable term.

@ScottishBlendTeaBags ah yes , I forgot they had the older two actually . I think the older girl has two kids of her own now too.
Still 19 children at home must be crazy . I think she’ll have another one (two) 😅

"She's in Essex with controlling her husband" - whoever said this is a sexist prick. She was a child when she first got pregnant. I believe she was 13 so it was HIM that raped her. She kept having children whilst a child herself. Hardly the manipulative women made out

Obcessed* not Essex ffs. Autocorrect

@yohoo yeah it’s like she needs that ‘baby’ experience again. I couldn’t have more than three I don’t think. Although I’ve not even got one yet lol , currently TTC

Born sleeping is nonsense. What is it with this country, and it's ridiculous taboo around death. So much so that we can no longer actually say the right words.

It's really very unhealthy.

They seem happy. I doubt they'll stop at 22 so there will be a lot more to discuss before Sue goes through menopause. I think she said she is happy to continue until she can no longer have DC. It may get interesting then.

I think 'born sleeping' is one of those phrases that people can choose if they wish about their own child, but 'stillborn' is the best way of referring to it otherwise IMO. Otherwise it's like that thing about doctors being told to actually use the words 'he/she has died' instead of euphemisms as it's easy for people in grief to get the wrong end of the stick or clutch hold of an unfortunate word choice.

Keeps them out of mischief, I s’pose. 🤷‍♀️ They’re an anomaly so I can’t bring myself to care. Not many 20+ kidded families out there and I doubt it will catch on.

Wasn’t she very young when she had her first and him somewhat older?

How old is the mother? I don’t really follow them.

@Lifecraft in person I say still born , I work in a hospital so it’s something we read about with patients/see a lot but I didn’t want to say it on here in case I upset somebody as I don’t know who is reading this who may be upset by my wording , but apparently it was the wrong choice as you seem pretty upset yourself . Sorry

@HopefullyAnonymous she’s in her 40s as far as I know

Absolutely no regard for the environment, having that many children. Terrible for the future of the planet.

I have 4 children and it makes me realise how small my family is.