17 kids and counting

[bambinibop]

Anyone watching?

Body doh

I overall really like this family, but after following them and the older children on FB you get a much greater insight into their lives on a daily basis rather than watching them once a year for a few hours.

I hate the way they have been portrayed as the "family who nevvvvvvver took benefits". I don't believe that for one minute. Early on when the family were first on the TV/newspapers they were much more open about finances and how much they earned (it was claimed the bakery made approx £30k per annum) which I assume would have entitled them to CTC? Now they won't say whether they get child benefit or not.

I really feel for them losing their baby boy, horrible situation for anyone to be in regardless to how many you have, but I do wonder how much of Sue and Noel's emotional well being is attached with producing more babies. Noel said last night on the programme that The second youngest could go to nursery but Sue probably wouldn't be able to cope with only one child at home. I thought that was a bit sad, as it is one thing really enjoying your children's company, but when you are dependent on it for your own stability I think that is a problem. They have acquired 5 puppies gradually over the last year or so and I do wonder if they are like substitute children for them.

I would love to see Sue going back and getting an education herself. I assume that she didn't even get GCSE's as she had her first at 14. Her literacy skills seem to be very minimal (as do daughter Sophie's) so I was thrilled that Chloe got into Uni.

I think Noel is fab. He really seems to be the glue that holds everything together. He goes to the bakery at 4/5am to start work, comes home at 7.30am to help the kids get ready for school, does packed lunches, school run, back to bakery until dinner time THEN makes dinner, baths the kids and puts them to bed. No wonder he gets so much

I do think tgey both have issues that need professional help. They cannot keep having babies, eventually their little ones will grown up and presumably fly the nest. They have to live with that allow their children that freedom. I am glad Chloe? Is continuing uni.

I just finished watching it. I've also watched the others previously. Honestly, I could never ever have as many children as they do. But that said, you have to commend them. They have their own business and don't ask for any hand outs. What they receive via benefits is what any working couple would get. The children look well fed, clean, clothed, happy and loved.

Many people are going to disagree with the amount of kids they have but they're not harming anyone or expecting help from others outside their family so what's so wrong with it?

I'm looking for this on catch up- what channel was it on please?

It's on 4 OD Lucky

I have two kids and I look a wreck, how does she manage to always look pretty fresh faced and well?

Thanks JorgiePorgie

So what if they are/ were entitled to benefits and then, shock horror, accepted those benefits? The benefits, there to benefit the children, have benefitted the children, oh no, what craziness is this?

I pay so much tax now it makes my eyes bleed but I couldn't give a stuff if it benefits children in a large family or a small family.

I don't care who is in receipt of benefits and how many children they have. What annoys me is how the Radfords are being used to show the nation how you can live on a budget and can raise mega families without help. In that case i would expect a lot more transparency about finances, because from their vague figures it does not add up. It was stated that the bakery earned £30-35k (which would have entitled them to benefits, fair enough) but they have at least 1 holiday (this year there have been several) at £5k, christmas and birthdays are another £5k, Sue likes a few prams per year which are £400 each minimum. That is BEFORE feeding, clothing and housing 14+ children.

They do seem to use MN magic chickens though, as on their recipe page they use 4 chicken breasts between them all!

All in all they seem to be a nice family who love and care for each other. Sue has said that they won't do any more publicity/programmes as they want to go back to having a private life again.

In last night's episode Sue said their family total for Christmas comes to £3000. She said they'd never go over that mark because it would be silly to get in debt over Christmas. They buy throughout the year and if there's something really expensive the kids want and it's over budget then they just have to accept it's not affordable.

Fair play on living on £200 to feed 18 of you, though - which includes adults (well 17 because Sophie is now living with her boyfriend). Seems they really do budget what they spend.

Agree madmum24, the figure don't add up but they will be getting paid for doing the programme. Perhaps things were different before tv?

Yes of course they must be getting good money from Channel 4 (and why not?) and you can see the difference in their living standards from the first programme, where the house was in quite a bad state of disrepair, carpets very dirty looking etc. But still they are stating that they are getting NOTHING aside from the bakery. I personally don't care if C4 is paying them one million pounds per episode, but why make out that it is their duty to show the rest of the feckless nation how to live? Sue herself has benefit bashed others. I do not believe for one second that her and Noel (first time parents at 14 and 17) have NEVER received anything. Like I said, it isn't who is taking what, but why put on a front and pretend something that isn't the case? They have been asked online if they receive child benefit and replied "it is none of your business". If you are making statements about yourself that are quite frankly unbelievable, most people require some sort of proff or validation.

They'll be making a fair wack off their website - advertising etc - plus the bakery which he owns.

How many kids read to their parents these days,I bet between them the kids get some good read time,as they don't particulay seem under educated.

I follow this family on FB. I think they are a sweet family however, I get the feeling they are hungry for fame and having one baby after the other keeps the media interested in them. I've never understood how they manage to live on just a bakers salary.

Can anyone link to their blog or Facebook page please?

I find them fascinating!

What I actually meant to say,was there is lots of parents that don't get to have reading time with their kids,I know the Sophie dose not have gcse's but hopefully the rest will follow in Chloes footsteps,and don't you think if chloe felt put on she would of stayed in uni elsewhere..and the fact is she still went to uni,if my daughter did the same thing I would be so happy ,and would encourage her to do what she wanted her to,except doss around of course, I was in a family of 3 brothers and sisters and was always helping out,I loved it most of the time,sometimes I didn't but you learn to get on with things and certainly did me no harm,and even if the family are receiving child benefit,I sure they have paid a good chunk towards it in taxes,..we have all contributed,well the people who have or are at work anyways....

The only thing I feel a bit judgy about is that the older children only have to help out if they don't have a Y chromosome. Why should an older sister be helping so much more than an older brother?

How many kids read to their parents these days

Erm I think most parents listen to their young children read during the week.

Its not a case of having time, make time.

Type in The Radford Family in search on Facebook and you'll find them.

All in all I think they seem like a nice family, albeit under educated (some of the things the older children have said on FB is rather shocking) I have an academic interest in large family dynamics and I found them probably the most interesting family, most likely because of their background.

One thing that really disturbed me in 16 Kids and Counting was the way the younger kids were put into bed with just pants on, with wet hair (just been bathed) and then Noel just walked out and removed the door handle so they couldn't get out. No bedtime kisses/hugs. I was wondering if that was just editing, but Sue did say on their website that they are very strict about bedtimes and start controlled crying at 6 weeks old.