Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think 22 kids is...a lot ?

113 replies

GaaaaarlicBread · 07/11/2019 15:21

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 !

OP posts:
philsad · 07/11/2019 15:49

that is a lot!!!

INeedNewShoes · 07/11/2019 15:49

Are you really expecting someone to come along and answer the question you have posed in the thread title with 'no, actually I think 22 is a perfect number'?

Why not be more open about it and just say, 'let's have a good old gossip and bashing thread about this family because I'm a bit bored this afternoon'?

Househunt1 · 07/11/2019 15:50

I know people say they own their own business so that's great and they don't claim benefits etc and yes it's great that the husband works, they could both not be working etc BUT the tax credit cap only came in if you have more than 2 children around a year or two ago so I do think they would have got tax credits for most of the children, when they visit the drs or the hospital it is still costing the nhs and government more than it would a smaller sized family so not claiming benefits isn't a good enough excuse that they are completely funding themselves. Schools will also cost the country. So yes they are still costing the country even if they don't claim benefits. They also earn lots of money from tv shows etc I imagine which obviously isn't a bad thing.

I don't know how she can give them time for homework etc, I struggle with 2 children and trying to give them enough time to read, practise timetables etc I do also think the older children must have to help loads too!

The sleep situation omg I don't know how she does it along with the washing and feeding, I just do not know how they do it!

RaquelWelch · 07/11/2019 15:52

I also noted that she got pregnant very young with her first child (13 I think) and that her husband was around 18 at the time. I found this quite disturbing. I don't understand why the media is even reporting on them. It's not like it is something to be admired

Waxonwaxoff0 · 07/11/2019 15:53

Well they're not money scroungers as they run their own business and can't claim benefits for any children they've had since the benefit cap.

It's their business at the end of the day. I have one child and that's enough for me. I can't see it being much fun for the children, money still must be tight with that many kids and yes they probably don't all get the individual attention they need.

RedSuitcase · 07/11/2019 15:53

It's ridiculous, selfish and abusive on them.

They seem obsessed with pregnancy and babies, and very little thought and care is given to the children after they've grown beyond the "cute" stage.

I've watched a couple of their youtube videos - and the comments are sickening, making out that they're some kind of super parents and something to aspire to or be in awe of.

No. They have some serious, serious mental health issues centering around the need to be needed.

All of those children are going to end up with deep issues stemming from inadequate care and support.

No one can look after that many children - there are literally not enough hours in the day.

They're absolutely shocking human beings.

LochJessMonster · 07/11/2019 15:53

She was 14 years old when she had her first child.
She obviously has some sort of mental disorder and its not good for her children (or the environment).
She said she would stop last year at 21 and yet couldn't - that suggests some sort of addiction.

Celebelly · 07/11/2019 15:53

I imagine the older kids are used as skivvies/childcare a lot.

Mrsbclinton · 07/11/2019 15:54

I cant imagine how exhausted that woman must be.

Going through pregnancy and childbirth every two years or thereabouts and then having all those kids to care for.
She must be tough as boots!

hobnobsaremyfavourite · 07/11/2019 15:54

Ooh we haven't had a Redford bashing thread for at least oooh a week

PenguinBollard · 07/11/2019 15:54

Well they're not money scroungers as they run their own business and can't claim benefits for any children they've had since the benefit cap.

They get child tax credits plus they make a lot of money on social media and regular media - which surges every time she pops another one out.

So yes, they are money scroungers - having children for financial gain.

MrsJoshNavidi · 07/11/2019 15:58

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

CaptainButtock · 07/11/2019 15:59

I don’t believe they are very well, and someone should intervene...for everyone’s sake.

They do claim benefits, but also the cost to the state of birthing/educating/healthcare for 22 children will be enormous.

I know they are probably damaged from their own dysfunctional childhoods, but like I said I wish they would get help 😟

brummiesue · 07/11/2019 16:01

I think if you have been through the horror of a stillbirth you can refer to it anyway you damn well please

Slappadabass · 07/11/2019 16:01

It's ridiculous. I really feel for the older children who must have to help out lots with their younger siblings. I was the eldest girl with siblings 10 years younger and in my teens I was expected to babysit a lot, I resented it, when my friends were out I was looking after my siblings, childcare should not fall on older children.

They must be absolutely bonkers to keep popping them out. I have 2 and that's more than enough for me, no way could I cope with 22.

(And born sleeping is a perfectly acceptable phrase)

Joerev · 07/11/2019 16:04

My friend has 11 children. She’s addicted to being pregnant. I adore her family. They live in a 4 bedroom House and as soon as the door opens. It’s manic. But full of love and laughter. One of my favourite places ever

PenguinBollard · 07/11/2019 16:06

I'm 12 years and 16 years older than my 2 siblings - and there was (and still is) the odd request to look after them - and that's hard enough.

The older children need to have the time, space and energy to explore their own lives - not to be tied to their younger siblings.

Deeply unfair, huge burden to the NHS, the schools and to each other.

PenguinBollard · 07/11/2019 16:07

@Joerev Do you not feel that is so very unfair on all the children? How on Earth can you give adequate individual time to your children if there are that many?

Waxonwaxoff0 · 07/11/2019 16:07

If they're making a lot of money on social media, they shouldn't be receiving child tax credits. It's a means tested benefit. Something odd there.

Getting tax credits doesn't make you a money scrounger though, I get tax credits.

Totallycluelessoverhere · 07/11/2019 16:08

Environmental aspect aside, the number of children that they have doesn’t impact in anybody expect themselves and their children. Why other people need to be shocked, concerned etc is beyond me.
Clearly social services and the police are not concerned about the number of children they have or her age when she first got pregnant so why should anybody else be.

BrieAndChilli · 07/11/2019 16:11

I think they had the first 10 or so due to attachment and wanting to have their own blood family, then when the attention started which then translated into money/fans/free stuff they kept having babies and are now stuck in this cycle as they know as soon as the babies stop so will the interest in them

FlibbertyGiblets · 07/11/2019 16:13

Nearly all criticism or comments levelled at the mother.

sam221 · 07/11/2019 16:14

I really feel disgusted by parents, to me they are a true example utter selfishness. There is no way the older children haven't done the lion share of the raising of the younger ones thus forgoing a childhood themselves.
If the mother was 13 when she had her first, then I think social services should be involved with this family.
Also clearly each pregnancy has costed the NHS money, each child going to school will cost the taxpayer and the subsequent children they all have, will be costly.
I come from a family of 5 children and know how difficult it is to get attention within a large family.
These parents need professional mental healthcare as this is not good for any of the children.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 07/11/2019 16:20

Every society has a few people who are a bit batshit, one way or another. Not really a lot more you can say, they are an extreme end of a spectrum and best ignored imho.

53rdWay · 07/11/2019 16:20

they're not on benefits/yes they are
they grew up in care/no they didn't
she was a child when the eldest was born/yes but they're a happy family now
they lock the kids in their rooms at night/no they don't
it's terrible for the environment, it's selfish, no it isn't, yes it is, no it isn't yes it is.

Repeat for next Radford baby announcement.