22 kids and counting Christmas special ch5

[Blondeshavemorefun]

Anyone watch

£5/7k on presents

Trying to serve up for 26 must be hard

[quote flyhighdarling]@seekinglondonlife how does Chris and his partner afford all those kids ? Only get universal credit for first two now so last 4-5 born after 2012 (?) was it won't get anything for

Costa a fortune feeding clothing entertaining a large family [/quote]
Is this child benefit?

@Blurp

How on Earth are they filling 10 episodes?! No wonder they're having to stage stuff for the cameras!

10 episodes is ridiculous, there's nothing new to show. Surely by this point it's just another series of what we've seen countless times before, just with slightly older children. 🙄

Holiday / trip away
New baby (Millie's)
New pet
Birthdays
Some sort of home renovation / redecorating
Accidents / medical appointments
Pie shop (and how it magically funds everything)
Cooking a meal
Family drama
Mentions of weekly shopping costs (including pints of milk)
How many years Sue has spent being pregnant
How the kids love being part of a big family (which we know is a lie)

They really need to put the camera down and let their children have some privacy.

I actually wonder if they realised they need to rephrase the questions to the kids.
In earlier series some of the older kids said things like they would effectively be "replaced" by a new baby or that they didn't want mum to have any more.
Now there are much more positive comments as stand-alone quotes (ie you don't hear the narrators question)...so I think rather than say "how does it feel being part of a huge family? Or what's it like?" They have replaced with "what's the best thing, or what do you like about being in a large family" so the emphasis is more that they all love it.

I just looked at their pie website outnof interest. There's a notice on there saying that it can take up to three weeks for pies to be sent. I don't understand why anyone would want a pie from them so badly that they'd be happy to wait that long. I'd rather pop down to the local butchers to pick one up Why is there so much demand for them?

@Leaveitonthefloordrobe I always wonder who buys pies online anyway?!

Yes, good point Blurp ! There are some things that I will always look for online. Pies are not one of them!

They really need to put the camera down and let their children have some privacy.

I don’t think they can now. They’re reliant on the media to maintain their quality of life, plus they are another 6 children on from when they solely relied on the pie shop (I think?).

They don't seem to be very thrifty though, I think that's what irritates me so much
All those unworn clothes

@Lifeisnteasy

They really need to put the camera down and let their children have some privacy.

I don’t think they can now. They’re reliant on the media to maintain their quality of life, plus they are another 6 children on from when they solely relied on the pie shop (I think?).

Whilst I understand they may like the additional money that comes from Youtube, Tv shows and selling their lives to whichever paper / magazine wants to pay. That doesn't mean they couldn't cope if they took a step back and stopped. Before Kids and counting they coped with a much larger than average family, so there's no reason they couldn't do it now.

I'm sure things are much easier now that they have sold their children's privacy to fund their lifestyle. But they could cut back on the flashy cars, designer clothes, expensive puppies and wasteful over spending if they wanted to. Although it's clear they have no plans on stopping, and they don't seem to give much consideration to what the children want or how they may feel having their entire lives online for anyone to see.

They couldn't cope now without the media money because their lifestyle has drastically changed. Years ago they were all hand-me-downs, Primark sales, bulk buying very simple foods, certainly nothing branded. Now they go on holiday nearly every term, Sue wears Gucci, Canada Goose and other high end brands and instead of the 20 year old minibus they are driving about 3 new cars. Not to mention the hundreds of pounds that each child gets for their birthday and Christmas.

@seekinglondonlife

They couldn't cope now without the media money because their lifestyle has drastically changed. Years ago they were all hand-me-downs, Primark sales, bulk buying very simple foods, certainly nothing branded. Now they go on holiday nearly every term, Sue wears Gucci, Canada Goose and other high end brands and instead of the 20 year old minibus they are driving about 3 new cars. Not to mention the hundreds of pounds that each child gets for their birthday and Christmas.

Yes there's been a huge shift in lifestyle since the media money. It's a shame the money hasn't been invested in ways that would have benefited the children. Such as education, clubs, savings accounts, or even a bigger house so they actually have space and don't need to share with 3 or 4 siblings.

Although I disagree that they couldn't cope. They could live without the media income if they wanted to respect their children's privacy. There's no need for designer clothes, expensive dogs, luxury cars. Especially when the children are the one's who are being sold to pay for it. It's not that they can't cope without the money, it's a case of they don't want to give up the ridiculous spending because Sue and Noel now have a taste of easy money and enjoy spending the cash on themselves.

I went back and watched the original 15 kids and counting. The contrast between then and now is night and day.

I am honestly concerned for the children’s welfare to be honest. They cannot consent to their lives being made public in this manner. I wonder if they have had any contact with SS? They’re pretty high profile, parade their children to the world on telly and social media, they must be on the radar.

Such as education, clubs, savings accounts, or even a bigger house so they actually have space and don't need to share with 3 or 4 siblings.

To be fair we don't know whether they have paid for tutors or clubs (and not publicised it) and have no idea if they have savings - I doubt they would tell everyone that....but yes they are obviously in the same house.
I think, before the significant media interest they might have claimed tax credits of some sort, I'm not sure the pie shop income was ever enough to fund a family that large.

Whinge yes of course they could, but I think they have got used to the finer things in life and are prepared to sacrifice their privacy for ££££. In a few years when the youngest has grown up they will have to think of other ways to keep the media interested. I could see them buying land in the country and doing a self build, or 22 Kids and Adopting More (not that they would ever be approved in the UK).

There's something compulsive about watching the show even though it's very irritating

I do like the children though

Am I alone in this

I wonder why they don't ask the older ones to move out. Maybe even a couple minutes walk away. Even if 2 shared a room that could be 6 of then contributing towards the rent bills food etc.

I can't talk I didn't move out until mid 20s so I'm not saying they should have too but there would be more space for them and the others at the house.

I wonder why they don't ask the older ones to move out.

Honestly I think it's because if they move out then they are left with a handful of children at home and they lose the 'wow' factor.

They already have very little content so if the older ones leave they no longer have over 20 people living at home and they risk being no different from many other larger families up and down the country catering and caring for approximately 10 children.

Plus the older lot do a lot of care and looking after

I think it's better for the brand for them to stay at home, it goes towards supporting what a supermum Sue is and also shows how much they loooove a big, crazy family. There's also the fact that they pay rent and that money must come in handy!

I’m surprised the older ones don’t want to move out! Personally I would be out of there as soon as possible.

@ChessieFL

I’m surprised the older ones don’t want to move out! Personally I would be out of there as soon as possible.

The trouble is it's a bit like when someone's in a cult. They have almost been conditioned to be afraid to do their own thing and be their own people so whilst yes most young adults are itching to escape and explore the world, go to uni or live independently these young adults are being encouraged to do the exact opposite.

Chloe said in the last programme that her parents weren't keen on them moving out until they had saved enough for a house deposit. Call me cynical but this might just be a form of control. The older children at the very least lend an extra pair of hands. The girls help with housework but the boys still hold a baby/toddler.

Very true pink, and they have grown up with safety in numbers, getting comfort from each other rather than their parents. Remember in previous programs there would be 3-4 children in bed together... They have never been able to be individuals in that house.

I remember in last years series one of the boys was going to be in a new school or class and one of the others was really worried and hoped he'd be ok without him. It was very sweet I think they might have shared a bed as well.

I don’t think they’re cash rich, I think they just get ‘gifted’ stuff.