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Original poster

Let's hear it for large families

66 replies

christie1 · 23/05/2005 16:37

I had my fifth baby this year and if I hear one more time "I don't know how you do it" or a look of horror on faces of other mothers, I will scream. I know they don't get why I want lots of kids. I don't get why anyone just wants only one but I keep my judgements to myself. Any other mums out there relate?

OP posts:
Flum · 23/05/2005 16:38

WEll done. I don't know how you do it

just want to be sure someone looks after you when you're old don't you. c'mon, admit it.

Gobbledigook · 23/05/2005 16:39

Yes and I only have 3! I think anyone with 3 or more gets that kind of comment. I usually just smile and say it's great and that you just get along - make it look dead easy!

rickman · 23/05/2005 16:41

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Nemo1977 · 23/05/2005 16:43

I would love to have a big family but i physically do not have the room or the money. Although am sure dh would be aghast if he knew i would like 5 or 6...we only have ds and im 10wks pg and hes panicking..but thats an only child for u

ggglimpopo · 23/05/2005 16:43

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MarsLady · 23/05/2005 16:44

I have 5 as well, but another mntter has 8. Marmar. She's new.

I tell people that I think it's important to repopulate the planet with people I like. Then I just ignore them. Better that than chasing them down with a cleaver I've found!

kama · 23/05/2005 16:45

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ggglimpopo · 23/05/2005 16:46

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MarsLady · 23/05/2005 16:49

kama the reason it's so offensive, to me anyway, is that is said so often, by so many people who look with horror. I often wish people would just say congratulations, or well done, or you do well, but without the caveat... but I couldn't do it. Well to be honest I didn't ask whether or not they could, I simply answered their question!

nothing personal about or to you though, but it is very wearing... more so than my billions of children.

ggglimpopo · 23/05/2005 16:51

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MarsLady · 23/05/2005 16:52

and then there's posting those penpal letter eh ggg?

kama · 23/05/2005 16:52

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MarsLady · 23/05/2005 16:53

12, 10. 6 and 15mo DTs

Nemo1977 · 23/05/2005 16:55

GGG i have endless laundry with one..s

Flum · 23/05/2005 16:56

I know what you mean about the cliches. I get everyday - but your so slim, beautiful, well groomed and dressed and your hair looks amazing/ Can you really be mad cat woman with 48 pussies

Ameriscot2005 · 23/05/2005 16:57

I have five and it's fine. Getting them one by one every few years means you get used to it gradually, but I suppose it is hard for someone else to see that - so that's my sincere response to incredulous questions.

As for coping with housework, laundry etc., I just have lower standards than I would if I only had 2. A key thing is to get you kids doing jobs as soon as they are able to. My older 2 (aged 13 and 11) do all their own laundry, for example.

No. 5 was a bonus baby for us, but I wouldn't be without her - she is such a blessing.

Kelly1978 · 23/05/2005 17:01

I like rickman's retort, goin have to try that one!

I've got 4, and I've recently met a couple of other mums of 5 and 4 kids each and it's so nice to chat without them looking at me like I'm slightly crazy, and they accept twins as normal and not some freak of nature! PPl are so rude, complete strangers coming up and saying stuff like "why"? Ok, I didn't plan 4, but it's my business not theirs. Rant over.

TwoAngels · 23/05/2005 17:01

I soooo want lots of babies would have another now if I could afford too....

apparently according to a lovely vicar I talked to who has five children he said it gets easier after two ??

Kelly1978 · 23/05/2005 17:03

Not when the third and fourth are twins, it doesn't

kama · 23/05/2005 17:06

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MarsLady · 23/05/2005 17:09

No, mine are a complete hotch potch. Though it may just be that I'm not looking hard enough. I tend to just go with the flow! They all do a good dry humour though ('tis the direct product of my sarcasm!)

QueenEagle · 23/05/2005 17:20

Ah yes, I frequently get the reaction from people of "Oh my god you don't look old enough to have 5" or "my god you're so slim". Which of course I am

I have also made the comment that they are by the same father and yes I was married when I had them all, at the time when I was on my own with 3 under 4's and fostering 2 others as well.

I have 3 older ones 13,11,9 and 2 younger ones who are 2 and 5mths. Having them spread out in ages helps and I really do think that it gets easier the more you have - that's provided you have the space, like we have luckily.

Of course the real truth of the matter is that I had 4 boys in the hope that when they become superstar Premiership footballers, they will buy me fast cars and swanky mansions!!

marmar · 23/05/2005 17:41

you should see the reaction when you tell them you have 8. and since the sun as started targeting large familys.yes we have a lot of kids but are we asking them to tend feed or dress them. and if i could i would have more.

Gobbledigook · 23/05/2005 17:42

Ditto QE - I've got 3 boys - surely one of them will end up playing for ManU?!

Gobbledigook · 23/05/2005 17:43

Marmar - big respect to you though! I don't think you're mad, I think it's great but I'm still in awe of how you manage as 3 is HARD work! (but they are all under 4 atm so I'm sure that contributes)