17 kids and counting

[bambinibop]

Anyone watching?

As someone who lost her first child to stillbirth, it's a bit upsetting to hear comments that women with larger families should listen to their bodies at a stillbirth/late miscarriage.

I don't think that's a reflection of having too few or too many kids. They are just shithouses odds, and the more kids you have, the more likely it is to happen to you.

Should I not have tried to have children after I lost my first child?

Imip very sorry we were referring to this particular family. The health professionals involved with them said that Sue is more likely to have a mc because her body has been through so many pregnancies. In their case they should now enjoy the chikdren they have and being grandparents.

On her first orogramme, the Dr said that with each pregnancy there is a danger to her life because she has put her body through so many pregnancies. With every pregnancy, she is putting her life at risk. She has kids who need their mum.

Agree with you there, Aero.

I doubt if more children will fulfill their needs. Its something deeper, I suspect.

Some one was flamed earlier for saying her choice to have so many kids was a symptom of mental health problems but I think. There may be some truth to that.

If it was drugs or alcohol air shoes or gambling people would be urging her to get help for her addiction. but it's not. It's babies so Instead they get a TV show.

I refuse to believe that a sane woman or a woman who isn't part of a controlling relationship would have so many kids that should her husband or herself fall ill or have to go away for business, that they would be totally totally screwed.

A previous poster mentioned that she should have a system to enable more efficient running of the house. I agree. The shopping for starters, it really was chaos.

There is nothing in place for her to manage on her own.

I can't help but think it's a damn site more chaotic than cameras let on and u think. There's a very dark side to noel he's too nice and supportive on camera.

I could be wrong. But it's just not right. And no blog or tv programme is going to change my mind about what the reality must be like.

I think so choc, no different from someone pet hoarding or collecting. It's an addiction for both of them.

They were both adopted as babies so could be a factor. Didn't see this programme but they seem lovely people on previous programmes and cope amazingly well with all the children ( the bakers family)

Yes the programme obviously is edited, they struggle more than is shown. In the first programme, Noel, is seen removing the door handles so the children could not escape. They also went on holiday to Spain, Noel was driving, he had been awake for 24 hours, sue was heavily pregnant with Casper. Chikdren were running all over the resort, some even jumped into the pool. Very unsafe! They went on holiday by themselves for a weekend, and left Sophie in charge of all those children.

Yes I remember that.

I also feel that trying to convey the message that you can cope with a large brood without any help is Incredibly irresponsible.

He made a joke about there being "radford time"

he's lucky if it's his bakery or if he worked from home but no one could hold down a job on "radford time". employers just wouldn't have it.

We all home about it whether we have 2 kid or 10 kids that it's an achievement getting out the door. but that's aimed towards "those days" which we all have. In reality we have train times or bus times or drs appointments, jobs, school etc and there's no choice about being on time. you have to be.

They really aren't managing at all if they are not getting where they need to be on time on a regular basis.

I agree Giles, I was thinking tgat. What do school say when they are 20 mins late

I remember watching the first programme, where she completely ignored half the kids when the new baby came along and did 3 hours ironing a day! I was thinking actually, the ironing vwould just have to go if it was a choice between that and giving time to my kids, but she seemed to use it to escape. I refused to watch this programme because I think it is irresponsible that someone hasn't offered them counselling to deal with their obvious issues rather than tell them how amazing they are. If her life is put at risk due to her numerous pregnancies, then that's a hell of a lot of kids who don't have a mum. I don't doubt the girls will be expected to step in and sacrifice any dreams they had for themselves. Sue seemed delighted that one of her daughters had a baby early, but by the sound of this thread, not so thrilled when another daughter made another choice.

I really liked Noel until Sophie mentioned on FB that he calls their (female voice) satnav "stupid slut". They all thought that was hilarious, as did about 50 commenters ;-/ In his defence though I don't think he is controlling, he seems to be very laid back in fact. Sue did mention once that after each birth the GP automatically gives her a 3 month pill prescription as she knows that is the longest that she wants to wait before getting pregnant again, so I don't think she doesn't have a say in it. She also said that they would like to adopt when they couldn't have any more themselves.

Not a chance in hell they'd be able to adopt! Not for a very long time anyway.

They need prifessional help, they are hoarding children, this is a mental health problem. I am surprised the HCP involved with them has not offered counselling or therapy to them. Adopt no I don't think they will meet the criteria, that won't happen.

Cannot be doing with glorifying people who hoard children. She was 14 when she first got pregnant, what is lovely about that?

I agree it's like a form of hoarding. The compulsion to have more more more is just beyond belief. And the worst thing is: they enable each other. Neither of them seem able to see the obvious: that the existing children don't get enough attention, that the older children do too much parenting, that the physical toll of 19+ pregnancies is just beyond dangerous.

I'm sorry but how can you call her a child hoarder, her husband had a part in creating these children too.
If one or both partners work to be able to provide for their family, it should be their choice to add however many children they want to their family. They have the money, and clearly love their children.

To diss a woman who has gone through such a harrowing loss of losing her child to Stillbirth, I find some of these comments so vile.
Whether you have 1 or 100 children, it doesn't make it any easier that you have other children too, as quite simply every child holds a different place in your heart, all with their own personalities, looks, and little quirks.

I can simply say, to see anything other than love and devotion in this family, is pure jealousy for something you can never have yourself, so out of spite you come up with the word child hoarding..

nobody could work enough to cover this family's expenses, so they are obviously reliant on state handouts. Just because the husband works a few hours in the family business doesnt make him a hero.

I never said he was a hero, but they have a business.

he did not set up that business he just works a few hours there.
I bet this family costs the state a fortune.

And so do a lot of things, like the Tax avoidance of many companies, think about how much that costs to the state.

yes you are right pumpkinsweetie of course but all that 'oh we dont claim benefits ' etc etc just is a bit galling.

and obviously untrue

pumpkin

you have lost it. just think. about it logically for a second.

no one's said they don't have sympathy for what they have been through.

doesn't make what they have done right. A those children are suffering. .All of them. love is not enough. getting through the day is not enough.