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Original poster

'Too many children?'

171 replies

NotAnOtter · 11/04/2006 13:11

\link{http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/main.jhtml;jsessionid=H2A3IIAQDL3UBQFIQMGSFFWAVCBQWIV0?xml=/health/2006/04/11/hfamily11.xml\i liked this}

I always think of 'staircase wit' comments to say to people when they criticise me for having 5 (+ ?) children - there are a couple of nice quips in here!
Average number of children in uk families 1.3 !!

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madmarchhare · 11/04/2006 14:03

not saying that you did, but the women in the article said that she had.

Pollyanna · 11/04/2006 14:03

When I was pregnant with my fourth I frequently got asked whether it was an accident! I love having a big family now and hope that my children will feel that we live in a lovely chaotic caring environment rather than feel that they all have to fight for my attention. Money is definitely an issue - I don't suppose they'll ever have their own rooms.

2 of my children share a bed atm too - but through choice rather than necessity Smile

Original poster
NotAnOtter · 11/04/2006 14:03

Rachel - that sounds sweet ( your siblings ) i would LOVE it if mine did that.
People do seem to draw a strange correlation between how often one copulates and number of children. comments such as ' haven't you worked out what causes it' are not that amusing!

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Angeliz · 11/04/2006 14:05

I don't think she meant rubbish bins though, she meant sales binsGrin

Angeliz · 11/04/2006 14:05

NotAnOtter, i got a comment like that from the WINDOWCLEANERS.

Angry and Blush

Original poster
NotAnOtter · 11/04/2006 14:06

i thought she meant rubbish but she looked quite posh! not old either!

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bundle · 11/04/2006 14:06

I would truly love to have a third child but really cannot afford it Sad

Rach69 · 11/04/2006 14:08

People are rude yes and i have had 'don't you know when to stop?' or 'that's enough now isn't it?' which makes me want to have another one! I suppose it's the same as being nagged to have another one when you only have one.

I think other people's kids recognise our 'relaxed' family atmosphere (it would have to be relaxed or I would go mad if I cared too much about the mess) having said that, we do have routines for chores. I am thrifty with food but it is as easy to cook for 8 or 10 as for 6.

Original poster
NotAnOtter · 11/04/2006 14:09

Angeliz ! (gross!) A builder doing some work on a house near mine asked me ( rather nosily i thought) how much mine was on for - i told him and he started wittering about me going into property renovation to which i replied i had four kids ( i was pg with 5th) he then leered at me and said ' oh you have had your fun then ' I was nearly sick !

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Original poster
NotAnOtter · 11/04/2006 14:11

I think our house is more ordered and calmer than many families i know with less children ..it has to be! The comments about have you stopped just encourage me onwards and upwards Rachel!

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cod · 11/04/2006 14:12

she deo s look bloody rough though
what a mess
not a good vert ofr 5 kids

Rach69 · 11/04/2006 14:13

Bundle - would you like us to talk you into it?! once you have 2 kids I honestly think the additional costs can be kept right down. I think the only real 'marginal' cost if you like, of adding another child is childcare if you are working. At one point I paid over £700 for an after school childminder and a nursery place - probably over half my salary at the time. I have worked full-time, part-time and been a SAHM for 3 years. Luckily I work mostly from home now.

ggglimpopo · 11/04/2006 14:13

I like this thread Grin

cod · 11/04/2006 14:14

do you have to look like her?

i think allt heis hypothesising is crap
poepel have lot so fkids necause htey want to not to teahc them

"give and take, sharing parental time, looking out for one another, even doing your bit to help in order to show up the laziness of the rest. "

fgs

ggglimpopo · 11/04/2006 14:14

Yes, but there are issues like the car (if you have to all go somewhere, the seating adds up!!) and bedrooms and loo roll and washing powder...

cod · 11/04/2006 14:15

she looks dog rough though

coem on someone

ggglimpopo · 11/04/2006 14:15

Piss off cod and go back to the fashion thread. We are talking Mother Hubbard crap here and loving it.

bundle · 11/04/2006 14:15

rach, i'd love you to talk me into having enough money Smile

when we had 2 in childcare it cost us more than £900 (3 days a week), virtually all of my salary (ie no money for my travel or food) and we ended up in debt for first time ever Sad

we want to buy a house (currently in flat) but i don't think we could manage it if we had another child. plus i'm 41 Blush

cod · 11/04/2006 14:16

ggg you are agamlour puss though
nto all lardyw ith mum jeans and bad hair

Rach69 · 11/04/2006 14:16

Cod - I think she's posh rough! Believe me, my £50 every other month to get my hair done is definitely a priority!

bundle · 11/04/2006 14:16

cod she looks perfectly normal to me

Gingerbear · 11/04/2006 14:16

and ironing, and endless washing.
My mum's gran had 13 kids, dad's gran had 9. How on earth did they manage in t'olden days

ggglimpopo · 11/04/2006 14:17

Thank you Codness. Even though you have never met me.

cod · 11/04/2006 14:17
Shock

she coudl have made an effort fo the photo

Original poster
NotAnOtter · 11/04/2006 14:17

Its the clothes mostly - have a load of boys they dont care! As for hair i cut it myself!

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