Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Larger families

Find out all about large family cars, holidays and more right here.

Flip

Original poster

Big family's what's it really like??

14 replies

zoesmum2012 · 22/12/2013 23:20

Hey I've got I dd but would love to have a big family. What's really like? Are your kids happy and have enough time with you's ? Do you's have enough me time? Am just really looking to see what's it like and also how to dived your time . Xxx

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

lisad123everybodydancenow · 22/12/2013 23:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JaquelineHyde · 22/12/2013 23:46

I am one of 7 children and I had the most amazing childhood. Money was short but there was never a dull moment and always someone to help you when you needed it.

I only have 4 so far, we would love a few more at least but money and space has halted those dreams for the time being.

Twinsplusonesurprise · 22/12/2013 23:46

We are now 5, is that big? It's me, DH, twin DDs and new DS.
When DS arrived I was really worried I wouldn't have enough time or emotion to share out between them all. But amazingly I do. And I devoutly adore and love them all.
But I have absolutely no me time at all (not even on the loo!)

PassAFist · 22/12/2013 23:49

I have 4, I love it and wouldn't change a thing. They are close in age (last was born 2 weeks before the first turned 5) and they get along fabulously most of the time. It is challenging organizing activities and playdates and holidays are priced out of our range mostly so we go camping but I would not change any of it.

Ummofumbridge · 22/12/2013 23:53

I have 5.
Chaotic, messy, noisy, amazing, funny and I wouldn't change it!
But.
I occasionally envy those with 1 or 2. Life seems so much easier I think.
But my eldest is turning 18 next year and my youngest is 2 so they're spread out massively which I love as they seem to all get along pretty well.

Misfitless · 23/12/2013 06:41

My firstborn 17 yrs, broke down the other night and was very angry and fed up about lots of things (college is really hard, hormonal among other things) but into the mix, was the fact that she feels that I've never got enough time for her.

To say I feel gutted is an understatement. Still, on a positive note, she's ranted and cried and we both know how she feels which is good, as I can work on being there for her more than I have been (it is difficult when all she wants to do is be in her room, to be fair.)

Parsnipcake · 23/12/2013 07:11

I have 6 ( we foster ). It's great. I don't really get this 'not enough time' thing, as my kids entertain each other and would generally rather play or hang out together than with me! And I see that as normal. I act more as facilitator, and usually have 1 of them 'helping' me so we get time together. We eat at the table every evening and that really helps too. I find a lot of my friends with 1 child spend a lot of time organising social activities and play dates which I don't really have to, as they have a variety of friends so can tag along with each other. We can go to the park and play football, leapfrog and rounders on a whim. I wouldn't change it for the world.

MrsDavidBowie · 23/12/2013 07:14

I think it depends on what the parents are like.

Dh is one of 9, and loathed it. He felt he was sidelined in favour of the noisier siblings, his parents never read with him, encouraged him, supporting him.
But knowing his parents, it's more to do with them and their shitty parenting skills.

Misfitless · 23/12/2013 07:26

It is brilliant, and I wouldn't change it for the world either. And to be honest, I always thought I had enough time for them all, too.

I don't think my younger 3 will feel this in the same way tbh, as they are closer in age and all need similar things at similar times, ifswim.

Parsnipcake · 23/12/2013 07:47

I am lucky in that I am at home full time, so they definitely get more of my time than when I worked, they went to after school club and I was having to do all the housework in the evening. I now do all the chores in the day and am theirs when they get in from school/ college and baby gets me all day. I am sure there are things they miss out on, but I was an only child and very lonely, so that's not perfect either.

MultipleMama · 24/12/2013 04:32

I have 6 all young ages, eldest is 5. They all get my attention and even though I don't do 1:1 as much as it's not really needed. I'm home full time and even doing 20hrs work I always have time for them. At the minute my youngest by 7 minutes is still in NICU so more time is spent with him to establish bf but usually after Dc bedtimes and/or school hours.

Sleep is non exsistent, there's no such thing as spotless, gone are lie ins, the days blend together, feeling overwhelmed and knackered becomes second nature. But I would not change one single thing. My home is filled with laughter and chaos and I adore the days when my kids lavish me with cuddles and become clingy. I'm so blessed and I'd like to think my children are happy beyond words. I love my big expanding family :)

TheZeeTeam · 24/12/2013 04:49

I have date nights with my kids, one on one. And I have as many happy memories of the night I took DS1 to a Korean BBQ restaurant followed by The Killers live as I do of the time I took him to see Tweenies Live followed by McDonalds.

princesscupcakemummyb · 27/12/2013 22:39

i have 3 children aged 4 2 & youngest is 7 weeks its not really much harder but the breastfeeding can be time consuming we are planning another 1 or 2 its busy but the fun never stops and you never get bored haha only thing i wish id done differently is the age gaps a little bit more spaced but then im 26 nearly 27 in may 2014 so time wasent is not so much on my side and it did actually take me 5 years to conceive my 1st born baby

MerryBuddha · 28/12/2013 11:58

It noisy, hectic and can be demanding but I wouldn't change it!! I love it. The plan was never to have any dc, I didn't think I was mother material I now have 5, love them, love my life. It hectic, chaotic, noisy, sometimes overwhelming and relentless. But enjoyable, never a dull moment, I feel loved and needed.

There are benefits and disadvantages to have a large family, but also that could be said of having a small family. It all depends on you!!

Flip