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Original poster

17 kids and counting

201 replies

bambinibop · 02/12/2014 21:05

Anyone watching?

OP posts:
GarlicGiftsAndGlitter · 02/12/2014 22:15

How many get to read with a parent every day?

You might have missed mamapain's post. I'm also one of a large family (not that large!) and the eldest. I taught all my younger sibs to read, write & do arithmetic, along with practical stuff, playing and fighting. I helped younger kids with homework, as they helped those younger than them. We mostly shared rooms, so Mum read with us (in groups) at bedtimes or we older DC read to the youngest.

Snargaluff · 02/12/2014 22:15

Chloe still went to Uni though, she just transferred.

furcoatbigknickers · 02/12/2014 22:15

I can't believe not one stretch mark!

MrsCurrent · 02/12/2014 22:16

Blimey furcoat what mother wouldn't be delighted their daughter was closer to home? It's not like she dropped out, she's transferred as she wanted to come home. They seem a very close family so how lovely for all of them.

GarlicGiftsAndGlitter · 02/12/2014 22:16

Some people are incapable of seeing a "loads of kids" headline without leaping straight to "filthy benefit scroungers" Hmm

RoastitBubblyJocks · 02/12/2014 22:16

Yeah Fur I did think that was a bit strange, you're thrilled your daughter dropped out of uni?! Although she did enrol in a college nearby, but it's still a shame.

Snargaluff · 02/12/2014 22:18

She didn't- she went to a university

piggychops · 02/12/2014 22:19

All of the potential issues raised on here can equally affect children from small families too.
The DD of someone I know jacked in uni and her mum was delighted. 2 Children in the family.
And how many children from small families are ignored by their parents on a regular basis, and left to stare at a screen?
At least this family has the company of each other.

stargirl1701 · 02/12/2014 22:19

This was fairly common in the recent past. My maternal grandmother gave birth to 15 babies and my paternal grandmother birthed 7. The older siblings care for the younger siblings including reading, homework, etc.

It wouldn't be my choice but it's not wrong, just different.

BlueBrightBlue · 02/12/2014 22:20

I have never thought of them as scroungers; they have a profitable and successful business.
Just question why they seem to be unfulfilled at having 17 children.

furcoatbigknickers · 02/12/2014 22:21

I want my children to live their lives not come home because mum wants them too.

piggychops · 02/12/2014 22:23

Also people seem horrified that older children are helping with younger ones, but try looking at it this way: they are learning and developing fantastic people skills, and no doubt patience too.

furcoatbigknickers · 02/12/2014 22:23

Also watching xmas and the holiday in the tent are my idea of hell. But they seem happy.

TheBreastmilksOnMe · 02/12/2014 22:41

People who criticise the older ones helping the younger ones- how do you think we evolved as human beings? Before we branched off and moved away from our families and communities and before schools came along we used to live in large groups, helping our mother's with the domestic duties or father's hunting and gathering, helping out with the younger ones, the babies, the elderly grandparents. Children were probably more rounded and sociable because of this and had security in the knowledge that they were loved by many of their group/community rather than just getting love and attention from one or two people. Just a thought.

stargirl1701 · 02/12/2014 22:43

Agreed, Breastmilks! It takes a village and all that.

furcoatbigknickers · 02/12/2014 22:44

I agree breast and my older dcs do help out but I want them to be children and enjoy that. They have time for their own families.

piggychops · 02/12/2014 22:46

The daughter who went to uni chose to transfer back. If she felt trapped or restricted by her large family she would have moved away and stayed away

kilmuir · 02/12/2014 22:50

All the children deserve one to onetime with a parent. Yes the older ones can/ should help but ultimately not their job.
I think its selfish and attention seeking. No needfor that many

RandomHouseRules · 02/12/2014 23:01

They all seem like lovely lovely kids, very well adjusted and cared for, which suggests that they do get personal time with their parents and have great bonds with their siblings. I don't know how the parents do it by my hats are very much off to them. I'm not sure why so many people make assumptions about whether or not they are claiming benefits. It is quite possible that the parents earn over the threshold for CB and, regardless of whether they get CB or not, they are clearly not 'scrounging' from the state in any cynical way.

I'm sorry for their loss.

Imperialleather2 · 02/12/2014 23:24

The problem is that if the parents expect the older children to help out, which they clearly do, then they are making decisions which have a huge impact on those older children and its not fair on them.

Who knows what really goes on in that house, but just because they have clean clothes on doesn't mean they get lots of attention which is what some posters are insinuating.

I agree with the pp who said about the barely walking toddler being over looked because there is yet another new born baby- it's not fair.

Regardless of whether they claim benefits all i thought about was the cost to the stare of educating all those children! I guess they have no problem getting a place in a school with the sibling rule.

RandomHouseRules · 02/12/2014 23:25

And think of the tax receipts that the state will get when all of those children start work.

andnowforsomemoreofthesame · 02/12/2014 23:42

If they had 17 cats they'd be "crazy cat lady". That's like "crazy baby lady (couple)". Sounds like hoarding to me.

Aeroflotgirl · 02/12/2014 23:44

They should enjoy their family now, and their grandchildren.

dontwatchthis · 02/12/2014 23:54

I'm always on the fence with this family. They come across as dedicated and loving, there's no doubt about it, but the mother certainly does seem to have some sort of issues/addiction to having babies.

I think with all the good intentions in the world, you could never spend enough quality time with each child, it would just be impossible.

Previous episodes has showed a darker side to the family. I remember one of the primary school aged boys commented something on the lines of mummy likes us less the older we get/when a new baby arrives and several of them were determined to never have large families themselves.

In the earlier series it also showed the father locking the younger children in their bedrooms at night time by shutting the door tight and removing the door handles so they couldn't get out. God help them if there was a fire as they were on the top/third floor of the house.

Seeing them burying Alfie was devastating Sad

Aeroflotgirl · 03/12/2014 07:46

I agree don't, they seem like a loving and winderful family, but yes I think they both have an addiction to babies, it's like hoarding. It is no different from somebody having 16 pets. The mum said after her first mc, tgat she did not want more, dad said he wanted more. He needs to put a knot in it!

On their very first programme, one of tge boys said that they would not notice if he was not there Sad. Even their kids were more mature about it, than they were. I hope that they stop and enjoy what they have. Even the sonograoher said tgat due to Sue having put her baby through all those pregnancies, she has a higher risk of mc. She has had 3 losses since her youngest was born. Listen to your body!