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Original poster

17 kids and counting

201 replies

bambinibop · 02/12/2014 21:05

Anyone watching?

OP posts:
fatterface · 02/12/2014 21:35

I think it's more the having a new baby every time the last one can hold it's own bottle more than strictly the number of children that makes it worrying for me.

Sparklingbrook · 02/12/2014 21:36

DS1 did a project in Year 4, then two years later DS2 got the same project to do. It took forever, was a massive faff and a general PITA both times. I groaned when it arrived second time around.
To think that i would have to go through that another 15 times? Shock

Plus all the homework and reading and spellings. I can't get my head around it.

Original poster
bambinibop · 02/12/2014 21:36

teeb I said that to my dh as well that here seems to be an emphasis on the girls to do the domestic chores. .but then the dad was doing the dinner and shopping etc , dh pointed out that perhaps the teenage boys just don't want to be on TV as they aren't really filmed much at all.

OP posts:
handfulofcottonbuds · 02/12/2014 21:36

Did a pp question whether it's a mental illness?!

Shame on you!

ohmychrist · 02/12/2014 21:37

I'm not from UK, so benefits would cover that many kids? So families can keeping expanding and benefits, funded by the public, will cover their living?

Finding it hard not to inwardly "tut".

SoonToBeSix · 02/12/2014 21:37

They earn money from the blog also.

handfulofcottonbuds · 02/12/2014 21:38

ohmychrist - child benefit is available to all, regardless of income.

velouria · 02/12/2014 21:39

Imagine the tax credits :0 out of curiosity I put in a couple with one partner earning £25k a year with 10 kids, £484 a week, although don't know if benefits cap affects this. Jesus, although, they might earn shitloads I'm not judging.

Sparklingbrook · 02/12/2014 21:39

How about Christmas? Then when all 17 kids have kids of their own and you have to buy for the grandchildren? Shock

ohmychrist · 02/12/2014 21:40

Their mortgage, house maintenance etc will be paid by benefits?

perrinelli · 02/12/2014 21:40

Child benefit isn't available to all regardless of income is it.

handfulofcottonbuds · 02/12/2014 21:41

I may be a little out of touch but I thought it was available for the first 2 children and then reduced after that?

ohmychrist · 02/12/2014 21:42

Of course I don't begrudge the kids a decent standard of living, it just seems 'grabby' and selfish of the adults. Seems unfair.

mamapain · 02/12/2014 21:42

I think some of the editing/narrating is a bit misleading.

"Desperate to have a baby", I don't get that impression, it seems they would love to have another but not desperate.

They aren't Mormon by the way, and also I think they make money from a some of the TV and magazine appearances they do.

chockbic · 02/12/2014 21:43

Its a kind of addiction. Hope all the kids get enough love and attention.

BlueBrightBlue · 02/12/2014 21:43

They do appear to be a very happy and loving family but the cynic in me questions why the parents feel the need to have even more children.

Has something in the parents formative years created a kind of void that needs to be filled? Forgive me I'm not an educated person; but I know that most of us have a " cut off" switch when it comes to fulfilment whether that be food, sex or whatever.

I think in years to come the children might have there own views about being part of such a large family.

Teeb · 02/12/2014 21:45

The eldest child (up to 16 or still in full time education) receives £20.55 every week, each additional child then receives £13.55 every week.

I'm unsure if they receive working tax credits/child tax credits. They've always presented themselves as not in receipt of benefits, but some people have different interpretations of what benefits are.

perrinelli · 02/12/2014 21:46

Sorry not really on the point of the thread - but re. Child benefit it is now not available to higher rate tax payers so if either parent earns £40k plus (well you can still get it but then the taxman takes it back again...) but someone do correct me if I'm wrong

kormachameleon · 02/12/2014 21:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

QueenMeerkat · 02/12/2014 21:46

Both parents were adopted, and I'm sure they have said something in their previous programmes about this affecting their decision to build such a large family. They seem lovely, and all seem very happy as well.

NorahBone · 02/12/2014 21:47

How we're they allowed so many children in an anomaly scan? Confused

ohmychrist · 02/12/2014 21:48

I'm not from the UK, Korma, so I don't know.

Snargaluff · 02/12/2014 21:48

Bluebrightblue- in previous episodes they said that both mum and dad were adopted. They did feel that this may have impacted them.

Felt sorry for them in that supermarket! Nightmare!

Teeb · 02/12/2014 21:49

It was a privately paid for scan I believe Norah.

Sidge · 02/12/2014 21:50

I've not seen this before.

I'm torn between thinking what lovely children they are - well mannered, well behaved and all clean and dressed appropriately. Then thinking "what on earth compels someone to have 16 children?!"

I do think there must be some psychological void that she needs to fill. And her poor uterus must be wrecked.

I struggle to give my 3 as much time and attention as I'd like, I have no idea how you can do that with so many.

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