Calling all mumsnetters with four or more........

[rosylizzie]

it seems to me theres a lot of us about so lets have a roll call,
ages
sexes
do you manage to work and how much?
what do you do for childcare?
what do you love best and whats the worst about lots of children?
and what is it about lots of children that makes you think just one more...
me first
me 36 dh 37
ds 9
ds 7
dd 5
dd 9 months
I work 2 days and 1 night and have 2 days nursery and 1 day afterschool care. also fortunate that I can work term time only
I love the relationship the baby has with the older three, its a joy to see how she reacts differently to them all. the worst bit is lots of different people for them to argue with

Up until a couple years ago me (36) and dh (39) had

dd 14
ds1 12
ds2 10
ds3 3
plus 2 foster kids aged between 5 and 10

Then we gave up fostering when I was expecting no.5! ds4 is 21 months now.

dh works nights
I work 3 evenings a week.
2 evenings dh runs the older boys to football training. Then on Sundays we take one each to their respective football matches.
dd uses us as a taxi service. ds1 is just starting to!

I love most when we are all sat round the table for a meal. Love it also that dd is old enough to babysit the 2 younger ones.

Hate it sometimes when all I want is just an hour or so now and again to myself - very rarely get this.

Mostly love it and if I was under 35 I might even consider having another. I know I won't though but I know I will miss the whole pregnancy/ bbreastfeeding thing.

DS1 13.8
DD1 11.11
DD2 8
DT1 2.6
DT2 2.6

I feel I've done my part for mankind and my future retirement package!

Me too. Me and dh both 36.

ds 7, dd1 5, dd2 3, dd3 1. I sometimes think I would like another one, but I hate being pregnant too much. Never say never though

dd 15
ds 12
ds 5
dd 2
me 34, dh(currently seperated) 38

I'm 55, DH is 54

DD1 24
DD2 21
DS1 18
DS2 13

I didn't really work until DS2 started school, and have only worked P/T since then.

Best bit is the interaction and the way they genuinely love and look out for each other, and enjoy doing things together - this evening DD1 (who is still living locally after uni and before doing PGCE) went for a run with DSs (DD2 is in Manchester atm).

Worst bit is the mess - I am untidy but they even bug me (boys worse than the girls were)

If I had started younger and/or had smaller gaps I might well have had another!!

mine are 8, almost 6, 3 and 7 months. i'm 37 and dh is 43.

I really really really don't feel at all broody for any more now - I'm done!

I am 43 and have 5, dh is 38
dd 9
ds 8
ds 6
ds 4
dd almost 2

I am a lawyer but sahm for last few years. Before that worked on a flextime schedule, mornings of office and afternoons working at home (it was crazy). Used a lovely woman who came into my home for childcare for mornings then took over in pm (plus tried to work!)then threw in the towel. I love the chaos and noise, love watching them play and love each other, I like the fact long after I am gone, they will have each other, especially the baby who was born when I was 41. Would I have more, of yes, but after a m/c and a dh who says no way, then the aging process, its over for me in terms of babies but, hey, I am hardly baby deprived.

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its really nice meeting everyone and its making me feel not quite so mad for wanting another.the interaction with the baby and the bigger ones is just the best. It all gets more complex though with fitting in afterschool stuff for all and holidays where the world seems to work on 2 adults 2 children - or at a push 3

reviving this!

me- 33
dh-37
ds- 9
dd1 -8
dd2 -7
dd3 -4
I do medical translation from home as and when...
Like the fact that they're used to looking out for people, sharing, helping, and aren't materialistic or fussy eaters- all of which, I think, is down to there being so many of them!

lovely - i love the sound of your job!!

We went to sainsburys yesterday - nothing special you may say but we normally do it over the internet.
When we got to the checkout ( we were there a while) a woman absolutely STARED. We only had 3 dc's with us and i swear she turned her whole body 180 degrees and leaned against her checkout and just stared at everything we bought - me - dp for a good 10 minutes. i asked dp if he noticed and he said ' how could he not' and that she had been staring in the shop too. Ridiculous!

we get stared at too, and I'm often asked in an incredulous tone if they're all mine! Here in Switzerland people are generally horrified at the amount of work they make, but when we go to Italy we are stopped in the street and complimented wherever we go!

fantastic - Florence here i come!

me 39
dd1 14
dd2 9
ds1 7
ds2 5

ds2 has cerebral palsy

i'm starting to look for a job now

Message withdrawn

I agree Rickman that the housework can get to be too much - our place is always a tip (dh & I are not the tidiest ) and I keep wanting to get better at getting the kids to clear up after themselves... but never manage it.

We are facing that holiday dilemma just now. We want to drive down to Italy (from Denmark) and see where the wind takes us, but I'm a bit worried that we will have trouble finding B&Bs on spec that can take all of us. DH doesn't think about that kind of thing.

Any advice from seasoned travellers ?? We haven't been anywhere with all four yet, and I can't see it being a great fun hol if I'm in one bedroom with 2 kids, and DH is in with the other 2!!

ages 10, 7, 4, 4 and poss one on way
sexes 2 of each
I don't work as it doesn't work out worth hassle for no extra money (childcare etc)
I love having a 'little group', when people compliment us, when they are well behaved, having a house full of company, never being bored. I hate housework and also find it overwhelming at times.
If this pg works out (lots of losses in past) this will be last! I couldn't cope with much more!I LOVE pregnancy and am facinated with it. I like being a mum.

keep us informed jellybean!
Have you twins then?

I love having 5 more than i have loved any number yet - its odd - he is a lovely baby and just slots in like he belongs!

keep us informed jellybean!
Have you twins then?

I love having 5 more than i have loved any number yet - its odd - he is a lovely baby and just slots in like he belongs!

hi, yes I have twin boys that have just started school! This pg wasn't planned and till i go for a scan I don't think I will believe it (can't have one till 8 wks-3 wks away). I dread telling my parents and MIL, I know they will be VERY negative I will be happy but scared as had traumatic births.

I have four, me 27 and dp 33

dd1 6
dd2 6
ds1 5
ds2 3

I am a sahm, worked until ds2 was born but then my partners shift pattern changed and it became difficult to work it between us as we had done previously. I am hoping to start my midwifery training next year, recently got a job as a teaching assistant but unfortunately the childcare arrangements were too complex to be viable.

well jellybeans i had my first epidural with number 5 due to the fear factor!