19 kids and counting / safety

[MommyTVFan]

Hi
Followed Sue and Noel Radford and family on our tv programmes & see they have a new show on tomorrow (29/12/16).

Something I don't get is child safety in this and other larger families.

I mean I had 3 under 7 and I watch 2.5y old all the time, even when he is in older siblings room as there's bunk beds etc and even dressing up clothes can be dangerous

I know the Radford's have super high bunk beds and they always have around 4 kids under 6y I wonder how they supervise them? Or do you think kids like these and in other larger families are in hospital much more often ?

I have enough work with just 2 dd's 6 and 4, if I had 19 I wouldprobablybe ia cupboard somewhere rocking back and forth like some crazy woman

I also agree with pp it would be interesting to see the real daily lives not edited or all acted, sue has it together pretty well for a mum of 19, id be a bloody stressed wreck I think lol

The thing is though that is was mentioned in a very blasé fashion in this episode where it hasn't been before. It's grim - she was 13 and he nearly 18. And they have this weird celebrity just because they have another child every other year. Presumably they can't stop because then the TV and funding stops.

Their house is like a zoo and I find the dad creepy. Think they need therapy or meet their birth mothers rather than popping out more children.

Yup. Stoooopid Sue. Having all those kids by herself. Totes irresponsible.

Those two have serious psychological issues. I feel sorry for their numerous children who will no doubt have been 'lost in the crowd' or saddled with unfair amounts of responsibility for younger siblings at too early an age. I would not be surprised if there is serious resentment when the children reach adulthood.

I also doubt their 'no benefits' assertion.

Not seen anything but the advertisements for it. I think it is incredibly selfish to have that many children, but that each to their own.

*then

The thing is though that is was mentioned in a very blasé fashion in this episode where it hasn't been before. It's grim - she was 13 and he nearly 18

Yeah, it is pretty grim. I really don't know why they are paraded around like role models.

I can't believe these people get TV shows instead of counselling tbh

In any other circumstances a man who got a 13 yr old pregnant would he on the register

And there would he major concern possibly even SS involvement with regards to the fact the older children practically raise the younger kids and they seem to think of its funny they can't make it anywhere on time. The late marks at school must he ridiculous.

Imo if you can't get your kids up fed and dressed without your husband coming home from work or serious input from.older children you aren't coping. (Not counting illness or disability here ) and adding more kids on top of the mess is selfish and irresponsible.

If I had 19 cats I'd be called a hoarder..but have 19 kids and you get a TV show

Doesn't one of their dd's in her 20's have kids too, so they're also grandparents. Was this mentioned in tonight's episode?

They seem a nice family but I do think she is addicted to having babies I mean we're do you draw the line ? 19 seems insane to me in all levels

I have recorded this latest one are pp saying she had her first at 13 with him and he was 18 ?!?!?!

I should think they get Child benefit and child tax credits (for the under 18's) so not on "benefits" (the dole) but not totally self funding either (like a lot of us).

I read once that the grandparents do absolutely loads more to help out on a daily basis than is shown in the programme .

I watched it...

I generally think family size is a personal choice and decided by the parents however in this case when I hear the children not wanting a big family, not liking the noise and chaos..They seem really selfish to the needs of those children.

I have no doubt there will be no. 20 though.

Personally not a fan of television shows that exploit the vunerable in the name of 'entertainment' but if it helps others feel smug reassured that they are living fulfilling and worthy lives, then I guess they are worthwhile...

I have six. Until we started rugby for the boys, we hardly ever had accidents, then there were a few bumped heads from tackles. Roller skating on Wheelies meant an ED trip for one of the girls but otherwise they were relatively accident free.
The older ones did not miss out because they were providing free childcare but we did have routine and structure. Little ones got their time when older ones were at school or nursery. Reading was never an issue as they all loved cuddly story time in front of the fire - all could read quite fluently by the time they started reception.
We had a set order for mornings with clothes laid out the night before. I did expect them to dress themselves from about three, tights and ties from four years. Bathtimes were playtime with little ones all in together usually.
We didn't do fussy eaters but had one vegetarian.
I didn't do 'bad sleepers' - evenings were our down time and so we made sure children were settled and asleep in time for us to enjoy our evening (whilst they were very young -obviously it changed as they got older).
Their nursery and school provided cooked meals so no issue with packed lunches. As at home, they ate what was provided or went without until the next meal. They did get choices and helped create menu from favourites. In summer they had 'ice cream shop' instead of pudding. They rushed out of front door and around to a side window where they queued up with pretend money and chose their ice cream flavours and which topping they wanted. They loved it.
i had a housekeeper who also babysat and took them out for walks or collected from school sometimes. I also used a laundry for bedding, towels and husbands shirts. We paid someone to do baskets of laundry including ironing. Uniforms were mainly dry cleaned.
They learned road safety from a young age and knew to walk holding on to buggy until they were trusted to stay close or until we told them it was ok to run free. They walked good distances too. On holidays in the Lakes, they were allowed to climb mountains from about 3years (babies went in rucksacks). They could manage higher fells from about 6years with my husband whilst I spent time with younger ones. They could all swim confidently by about four and had weekly lessons until they passed Bronze medallion and were deemed water competent. They weren't allowed to beach with friends until they had passed.
Managing larger families isn't all bad.

Sadly they haven't avoided harm to the children - the reason 19 kids and counting was cancelled in America was that one of the boys (Josh Duggar) abused some of his younger siblings sexually.

Aoibhe Sophie has 3 and I saw on FB a few weeks ago that the oldest son Chris is going to be a dad too.

Thank you OhFuds. Perhaps she didn't want them to appear on the programme?

Thank you OhFuds. Perhaps she didn't want them to appear on the programme?

Kwazy These are two different families, one american & one british

I think both Sue and Noel are mad as a box of frogs. Yes babies are beautiful but shouldn't you give to the kids you have. Sort of quality over quantity. I think they've probably now got a bit addicted to the fame and they're expected to keep popping them out.

My cm has a lot of children to walk home from school. They train the kids to walk in a crocodile with an older "buddy" to help keep them safe by the road, babies & toddlers are in buggies with preschoolers walking while keeping a hand on a buggy. Works for them, must be similar for a large family.

I wonder how they afford things like Christmas. The workload amazes me. How do they keep up with the washing and ironing?

Zzzz - the topic is child safety in large families...?

Older - ah, I see, I assumed it was the American one! Do ignore then.