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Parenting

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Original poster

Who has four or more children?

119 replies

Lonelymum · 26/09/2004 19:06

I was just wondering as I have four and alot of mumsnetters seem to gasp when they read that and ask how I manage and yet I come across a few other mumsnetters who also have four (or five) children. So I would like to know who is as crazy/besotted as I am and who is more so? Also, who has the most children? You can qualify if some of your children are step-children!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Skate · 27/09/2004 11:24

Hee hee - nutcracker!! For us too - my heart says 'have another' but logic says no because suddenly things do become more of a logistical nightmare - we can't afford a people carrier either!!

MrsDoolittle · 27/09/2004 11:28

I would love to have four. How does anyone afford it?

MrsDoolittle · 27/09/2004 11:32

I have two sisters and brother and I really love the fact we are all there for each other. I would love to beable to have a similar family.
My Dm was like you Muminamillion, she had four and df had the snip!

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nutcracker · 27/09/2004 11:55

Mind you our car is now quite old and having a few probs so maybe we should just buy an mpv to try

Plus if i waited until i could afford it, i'd have never had any kids.

suedonim · 27/09/2004 11:58

If you looked at our bank account you'll see that we don't afford four children, Mrs D. Imo, children are 'cheap to keep' when they are young but the cost rockets once they reach the teenage years. As for university.....

Our house used to be quite tidy but it all went to rat sh*t once No4 arrived, for some reason!

Jollymum · 27/09/2004 12:29

I have four, 14, 11 9 and 6. My house is tidier than it was, partly because I work from home. I have to keep my bathroom and loo cleanish and tidy, in case the children need to go upstairs and I have got really tough with my own kids. I do a Room Inspection on Saturday mornings-no clean and tidy room, no pocket money! It's starting to sink in with my daughter, who was absolutely livid with me on Satuday as this is the third week she's gone without the cash. I keep suggesting that maybe if they all put stuff away as and when they get it out, Friday nights wouldn't be such a panic, but who listens to me? Oh well, they'll learn. Our room, in the attic, is a complete tip though and I really must get down to tidying and sorting it out.

MrsDoolittle · 27/09/2004 12:30

I couldn't afford two lots of nursery fees, otherwise I'd be hoping for number 2 now and dd is only 6 months old!!!

MUMINAMILLION · 27/09/2004 12:36

Skate - I didnt find any difference going from 3 to 4, TBH. The only huge change was going from 2 to 3 for some strange reason. And no, we cant afford it, but we manage somehow!

Aero · 27/09/2004 12:39

Nutty - you and me both need to get off this thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I am so totally knackered as it is - have no dosh, more month than money all the time, car too smal, not eough room in house, want new kitchen and bathroom (ha ha in my dreams). Yes - off this thread - now!

ggglimpopo · 27/09/2004 12:51

Message withdrawn

cartrefle · 27/09/2004 12:53

I've got 4. ds 8, dd4, twin dds nearly 2...oh and a straight jacket.

MUMINAMILLION · 27/09/2004 12:56

I'm amazed at how many of us have 4 on MN!! Sometimes feel I am the only one left in the world from the looks/comments/horror I experience from other people.

lou33 · 27/09/2004 13:16

I find 4 v stressful.

Aero · 27/09/2004 13:31

Thank-you Lou. This is the type of thing I need to hear (as does Nutty). Four sounds nice , and dh and I are both one of four, but TBH, I have no idea how our parents coped!!
Nutty - are you listening to this???!!

pollyanna · 27/09/2004 13:32

oh dear, my 4th is due on 1st Jan. Not looking forward to the chaos.

MarmaladeSun · 27/09/2004 14:04

Hi all. I have 5 altogether...16,15,9,7 and 10 weeks, plus 2 labrador puppies! I'm also studying for a diploma at the mo...mainly for personal satisfaction but also to pay for the 5 kids as they get more and more expensive! LOL.

Original poster

Lonelymum · 27/09/2004 14:11

Wow aren't there a lot of us? I totally agree with you Muminamillion on two points:

I am amazed how many of us there are out there given the shock/amazement/horror expressed by other people
the hardest child to have was the third. I think that is because you don't have three hands so suddenly you are a hand short when it comes to giving your children a cuddle. Or there are only two parents so suddenly there isn't a parent per child. Does that make sense? As for how we can afford 4 children, the answer is simple. We don't afford anything else although we had to find money for an MPV (though, note to Nutty, there are some estate cars with seats in the boot space... Mind you, you'd then need to buy a roof box to put your luggage in....

OP posts:

nutcracker · 27/09/2004 14:12

Aero - I'm still tempted

lou33 · 27/09/2004 14:14

I have posted about this before, but I seem to be the only one who thinks it was a bad idea in retrospect. I do love them, but I don't find I can enjoy them as much as I could if I had less iyswim.

Will wander off now and be lone voice on this subject

nutcracker · 27/09/2004 14:15

Oooh are there, thanks Lonleymum

At the mo i am not having a 4th as dd1 is dead set on having her own room (nothing a bit of bribery can't put right ).

TBH Having to buy another car wouldn't be enough to stop me really. Would like to be able to drive if i have a 4th though as i can't imagine struggling on bus with 3 kids and a baby . Ooooooh now that does put me off.

tabitha · 27/09/2004 14:18

I've got 4, ages 17, 13, 7 & 7 months. My house is reasonably tidy (I hate mess, it makes me feel ill when things are disorganised) but very little social life - I'm either too busy, tired or skint to go out.
I found going from 1 to 2 a shock and from 3 to 4 has been difficult too, but this is partly to do with other circumstances and the fact that no 4 is not an 'easy' baby - although she is lovely . Going from 2 to 3 I found easiest.
Oh, and suedonim if you looked at our bank account you would think that we couldn't afford 4 either, but we manage somehow.

tabitha · 27/09/2004 14:20

sorry, that was meant to say 'like suedonim if you looked at our bank account, you would think we couldn't afford 4 either'

nutcracker · 27/09/2004 14:22

See i found going from 2-3 quite easy which is probably why i'm tempted to have a 4th.

1-2 was a shocker though, surprised i ever had anymore after that.

Aero · 27/09/2004 14:26

Nutty - Are you still on this thread????!!!! Repeat after me - Four kids = verrrrrry hard work, four kids = verrrrrrrry hard work! Make this your daily mantra!!
I have to make it mine. Dh keeps threatening to take himself off to the clinic!

nutcracker · 27/09/2004 14:29

PMSL Aero, sorry just can't tear myself away.

See dp wants another too (highly unusual), so i don't even have him to talk me out of it.

My cousin had a lovely little boy the other week, just soooo gorgeous, i want one

Sure you don;t want another Areo ?? Go on you know you do really

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