19 kids!!! - Could you cope?

[annie0000]

http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2009/09/02/baby-nu mber-19-for-reality-tv-mum/

I think 2 is more than enough to cope with - maybe I could have stretched to 3, but 19! - Can you imagine their shoe bill?

[caththecrazy]

The older children must have to help bringing the younger ones up.

How could you devote enough time to 19?

[B00]

Which begs the question then Cath if it's fair on the other kids when you have so many children?

Surely the older ones become surrogate parents? Not much of a childhood for them is it?

[caththecrazy]

Precisely - if you have children you should bring them up not pal them off on their siblings - says she whose brother in law has had her boys for a few days - mmmhhh

[China Doll]

Yikes... Don't think I'd like to be bursting for the loo in that house.

[caththecrazy]

Christmas shopping?

However would you go on holiday or even on a family day out?

[jno]

families usually used to be big up till about 1900, I suppose, and it was common for older kids to help bring up young ones. It doesn't necessarily take away your childhood, it just gives you things to do that aren't so common any more. There must be worse things than kids learning a bit of responsibility. Do only children ever learn the art of rubbing along with other people?

The cost might well be a problem, though. Never mind the shoes, how are you going to afford foie gras for 19?

[caththecrazy]

Become an MP and have your children work for you.....

[Barmaid]

she's a lightweight compared to the woman who had 69

http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2008/ 03/080304.aspx

Mind you, I find coping with my OH's two children for one weekend in two to be a little trying (but only cos I am not used to them yet!)

[cazzz1975]

way too many kids, I agree with b00, not to mention other things like not having enough money for family holidays/' day to day living and the parents being too busy to spend quality time with each child.

[Gnawer]

WOW! With that many kids she should change the family name to "Fagin" name the oldest kid oliver twist, And send the rest out to pick pockets!

[annie0000]

Mind you, I am the youngest of 7, when I was commenting on the amount of mess and things that I was cleaning up after my two, I said to my mum that it must have been a nightmare with 7? She said that actualy it wasn't that bad - we didn't really make too much mess as we didn't have very much stuff - e.g. toys and clothes and that we also spent a lot of time outside playing with friends as there wasn't much to do in the house. I don't remembered being deprived - I do however remember my older siblings running off aand leaving me so that they didn't get landed with taking me with them!!!

[annie0000]

lol peri & China- you would have to master the art of keeping your legs crossed.

its tru jno that older children do tend to be far more responsible and I guess society needs those type of people, but I also feel for the older ones and their loss of freedom so I think that I would agree with Boo and Cazz and Cath on that one.

Barmaid - how old are they? Keep them sweet until they are old enough to run errands for you!

[zzxxee]

2 is plenty for me thanks

[zzxxee]

it will get easier barmaid how old is your oh kids?

[Barmaid]

The girl is 12 (and I get on with her very well) - she's adorable. The little boy is 10 but is severely autistic so I am finding that difficult to deal with, but he is very sweet.

[zzxxee]

autism can be a very challenging condition to deal with .
many years ago i worked for avon autistic foundation, it is also a fascinateing condition to learn about its great you get on with the daughter 12 can be a difficalt age my youngest is 12 and the mood swings omg lol
stick with it and you will get lots back in the long run xx