21 kids and counting

[thannyflaps]

Just watching the latest episode - how on earth do they afford to run that household? iPhones for the kids, holidays to Spain for 20 people, a new kitchen.

There is no way a bakery would generate that much money. Would channel 4 really pay that well for their participation in the programme?

Thanny Flaps

I am from a family of 16, so feel reasonably qualified to comment. We were brought up with manners, our house/TV's/furniture never got smashed up, there were no holes in our walls. We were given proper meals and sat at the table to eat them (two sittings). We didn't have much money and lived in a small house but our lives were so much more normal that the Radcliffe's. Privacy was an issue and we definitely didn't get as much attention from our parents as we wanted. But my parents did their best, they didn't plan to have more than they could afford or care for, it was the times we lived in. I think the way those children are being raised is despicable, their family business is now the tv programme, the bakery is secondary to that. They are exploiting their family for financial gain, it's disgraceful that's it's being encouraged by the media.

Deadringer that's fascinating, can I ask what circumstances lead/motivated your parents to have so many? Did you grow up in the UK? How many bedrooms did you have?

Yes there are a lot of people who do ‘look up to them’ judging by their FB page anyway there’s a fair few ‘fans’, always lots of gushing about how amazing Sue is and how does she do it etc etc

I remember when Chloe was preparing for uni in older episode she was telling the next oldest girl all the responsibilities she would now have involving helping do all the kids bathing etc every night. I think Chloe probably has an almost equal parenting role and responsibility as Sue and Noel

I am Irish, contraception wasn't available until the 60s as far as I know eva. We had 3 bedrooms, one for boys one for girls one for parents, and a small room downstairs that was given to my eldest sister. (Subsequently given to each eldest girl when the first moved out, an attempt to give them some privacy I guess)

Dead ringer that’s really interesting to hear from someone with experience of a very large number of siblings. Interesting that your parents, despite not actively choosing to have so many children, just not having contraception available to them, took their role of parenting seriously and instilled manners and respect among their children. The complete acceptance by the radfords that TVs got smashed and walls had great lumps gouged out of them was sickening. Actually it was more than just acceptance: they did their usual moronic giggling over it as if it was all a big laugh

I have 4 dc. It's a careful juggling act to make sure they all get time to themselves and with each parent. Checking in to make sure we know what's going on in their lives, providing quiet space for each to do homework/revision. It's hectic but perfectly manageable with 4 - if not tiring. I could imagine doing it successfully with up to 6 but past that seems impossible and I won't be having any more to test the theory.

I think I'm the same age as the mum and this definitely isn't common amongst my peers and I didn't know anyone who had a teenage pregnancy - we would have been horrified!

That being said the children seemed healthy, relatively happy and cared for. I saw a programme about hoarders the other day. They had 1 teenage daughter with shocking teeth and she definitely appeared neglected and utterly miserable. I don't think having a large family automatically makes them bad parents. It's very hard to judge on the back of a 1 hour programme.

On a separate note that didn't even look like an operational pie shop - it looked a bit deserted and more like a prop than an ongoing business.

Yes I thought that about the pie shop, it was almost like a working museum and is it just the pies they sell? No bread, cakes, sausage rolls? 🤔

Hello all,

We just wanted to remind everyone that while it's fine to post about established facts (keeping TGs in mind, as always) - threads on this subject are clearly being noted elsewhere, and individual posters are responsible for what they post.

Thanks

threads on this subject are clearly being noted elsewhere

And what does this mean?

Sounds rather threatening doesn’t it?!!

Yes I thought that about the pie shop, it was almost like a working museum and is it just the pies they sell? No bread, cakes, sausage rolls

As someone who travels back to the UK a few times a year with 48 scots mince pies in her luggage I can well understand a business being able to keep going on the sale of pies.

I’m pretty sure most posts in the TV section give people’s opinions actually. Surely if you choose to go on tv and court publicity it’s to be expected that people will have views on it? As far as I can see nobody’s posted anything factually untrue on here...

I didn’t think the bathroom bit and the paella bit were that bad really.

I’d hate to go on holiday or anywhere really and see that lot trooping up though!

I didn’t think the bathroom bit and the paella bit were that bad really.

I liken the Paella bit to kids swimming and one finding seaweed likes or a crab or the and throwing at someone. But what child hasn't seen a prawn at that age even in a book?

Yes it sounds threatening MNHQ, not nice, especially this is a public forum, where people are discussing opinions of a TV show. If the Radfords don't want criticism, don't court publicity, that is simple really. People on here have watched the show, and are discussing their view of it.

individual posters are responsible for what they post.

Are you going to hunt me down and punish me for saying that these parents are feckless in the extreme?

Well said Alaskan

What does that message mean mnhq? That lawyers are reading and will sue people if the Radfords don't like their opinions?
My comments were based on my opinions of the tv programme they made. If the Radfords don't want people to comment why make a tv programme? I know I wouldn't want strangers to comment on my parenting which is why I haven't invited a tv crew to film us and broadcast it to the nation.

I don't know why comments here are being noted, have they missed the twitter storm?

I may be misremembering but I'm sure someone got solicitors letters because of something that was said on mumsnet.

You can’t sue someone for an opinion 😂

I may be misremembering but I'm sure someone got solicitors letters because of something that was said on mumsnet.

Mumsnet does not have my address. Unless you mean my (dummy) gmail account?

No one puts out a documentary and expects 100 percent positive response surely?

Don't these people watch it themselves first? Or show it to a small select group to guage the impression it Gives?

Are they going to sue their own kids for what they say on camera?

I really don't think they can win.

If they said how happy they were. The house was tidy then people would say it's fake.

Kids fighting, adults arguing, mess, kids not liking food. Is all normal.

They aren't abusing the kids. They are loved. They don know any different.

I agree I don't know how she can speak or care for individual needs but I think people are being too harsh. This is a real family and talking about the kids hair, not eating veg, not caring about education, neglect, brainwashing is a bit OTT.

Sounds rather threatening doesn’t it?!!

Didn't know Sue worked at MNHQ, how does she find the time? 🤔🤣