I have 8 kids, ask me anything!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread has really been a failure. I've read threads by moms of large families on other listserves, where people ask excellent questions about managing the home, the meals, the laundry, the homework, the toys, the cleaning, the time for exercise and meditation, etc, etc. I've learned a lot from the answers even though I only have 3 kids.

Agreed. And in reading some of the vitriol directed towards women with infertility is shocking. Nothing that anyone posted comes near to the cruel comments some have posted about women with infertility - as those are the only women who might be curious about a woman opting to have 8 children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pretty picture! Seriously, I wish I were half as cute.

Another response to the "one one wants to have eight kids"... I sometimes think that I would have liked that vibe... if I were richer and had more energy and patience. I even liked being pregnant. But I'm good with my one. We complement each other very well, and I wouldn't ever want to change the relationship we have.

Thank you, you're too sweet!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old are you? You look too young to have a 17 year old.

You're very pretty btw

I'm 42. Not all that young lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread has really been a failure. I've read threads by moms of large families on other listserves, where people ask excellent questions about managing the home, the meals, the laundry, the homework, the toys, the cleaning, the time for exercise and meditation, etc, etc. I've learned a lot from the answers even though I only have 3 kids.

Sadly, I agree. I wish there would have been questions more like that but people had to start attacking me for my decision to have 8 kids. That led to others being bashed for "probably" being infertile. It's all unnecessary.

[Anonymous]

NP here. OP, congratulations, you seem to be doing a great job with your family. And judging by your picture, you don't look "baked" as many of us with few children would imagine mothers of >5 children. In fact, you look phenomenal. Many women with 1 child would love to look this attractive and rested.

And thanks for your openness and for the kind and reasonable replies to the nasty posts. I'm sorry some PPs are so hateful. All the best to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread has really been a failure. I've read threads by moms of large families on other listserves, where people ask excellent questions about managing the home, the meals, the laundry, the homework, the toys, the cleaning, the time for exercise and meditation, etc, etc. I've learned a lot from the answers even though I only have 3 kids.

Sadly, I agree. I wish there would have been questions more like that but people had to start attacking me for my decision to have 8 kids. That led to others being bashed for "probably" being infertile. It's all unnecessary.

Because the only people who might question the decision to have 8 children would be infertile women. Obviously.

[Anonymous]

OP -What was the point of starting this thread? Did you really expect a bunch of "you go, girl!" responses?

Why has your writing style mysteriously "improved" (divine intervention?), but your punctuation is still marginal? Please don't blame it on typing on the phone.

We're not all as stupid as you think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP -What was the point of starting this thread? Did you really expect a bunch of "you go, girl!" responses?

Why has your writing style mysteriously "improved" (divine intervention?), but your punctuation is still marginal? Please don't blame it on typing on the phone.

We're not all as stupid as you think.

Omg shut the hell up about her spelling and get a god damn life.

[Anonymous]

OP, I have a few logistical issues you might be able to help me with:

--Do you have set "special times" with your kids, or do you just grab opportunities as they arise? I used to have a certain day of the week designated for my kids, but for one, I have more kids than days of the week, and for another, it just set me up to disappoint them when life got in the way or one kid got a Starbucks drink while another got a milkshake. But now that they had a taste of it, they aren't satisfied with haphazard special times! I despise myself when they look crestfallen with disappointment, but I don't have a solution--help!

--Do your kids have issues sharing their rooms? Even if we were fabulously wealthy, I would still have them share, but the older they get, the more disputes arise. We have a girls room and a boys room, and there are nonstop issues of neatness or personal decorative tastes...I get tired of being the mediator. Do you have any hard and fast rules that minimize these issues?

--Do any of your kids require an exceptional amount of attention? If so, how do you satisfy them without rewarding negative attention-seeking?

--How do you keep up with the mess?? We homeschool, so everyone is always home, and it seems impossible to keep on top of things, but once we get behind, we get REALLY behind. Am I just temperamentally unsuited to the situation? Remember, I'm actually a crazy cat lady

--Do things get easier once you have a driver? My oldest will have her license in the spring, and I am just holding on until then.

--(These questions are just for fun) Did you ever have a homebirth? Were your kids able to be at any of your births?

You know, people always tell me I look impossibly young to have nine kids, but I think you have me beat! You look lovely, like you are enjoying every second. I think that's inspirational.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can share!

[Anonymous]

OP, I didnt understand the hatred towards you until you posted a pic. Now I'm angry too. You're beautiful.

How often do you work out? What is your skincare routine?

[Anonymous]

It's sad that one nutjob poster can gum up a thread so much and make it seem like there are so many haters out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why does someone keep attacking OP? Are you one of those bitter infertile women? Did you spend $50k on treatments and then end up adopting? Did you make a wrong turn trying to find the TTC forum?

You are just envious. Your life is miserable, and you hate that someone else is happy with their choices. You might have kids without TTC woes, but something is making you a miserable witch. Seek help because it's probably adding wrinkles to your face, and we don't know how ugly you are. There is no need to make it worse.

I haven't posted previously, but what a weird leap of logic. Purposely having eight children in this day and age strikes me as incredibly selfish and shortsighted. Beyond that, that she can't see how her choices might be perceived as retrograde and submissive is kind of shocking. I have one child and am happy with one, by the way. Does this mean you give my post more credence? Weird.

Beyond that I have nothing friendly or respectful to say to OP's choices, so I'll leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These angry answers are the result of feminism. Keep on taking your poisonous BC pills ladies. I hope it makes you feel sophiscated.
OP I don't have any questions. But I think its great that you have a large family. I hate pregnancy so its not for me. But if pregnancy wasn't so harsh for me, I would have a kid every other year.

What the fuck are you talking about?

Pregnancy is harsh. I had third degree tears to prove it, and yet I managed to squeeze out a second a few years later.

But 2 was my limit.

So if "pregnancy" is not for you, neither is having kids, dumb ass.

And you do know that these "poisonous BC pills" can be replaced with condoms. I've been married 9 years; I have 2 kids. Condoms work.

Why so bitter? I thought the point of feminism was for women to be able to make their own choices, free of judgement? I think you got a little derailed in life.

[Anonymous]

OP, do you foster your children's individuality? Like your youngest girl- does she get to select her own clothes and toys or does she get many-times-used hand-me-downs?

Do you work outside the home? If not, do you plan to at some point?

[Anonymous]

Grammar poster, what the hell is wrong with you?

Your posts are the strangest and oddly bitter things I have seen on this forum in a long time.