Not much more to say really.. one is a baby, 3 are toddlers and the other 3 are 8yo+
Will reply when I find some time in my hectic life :)
[AMA] I Have 7 Children Ranging from 1 Month to 12 Years Old, 3 of Which Are Toddlers
MrKnowItAll on 28/06/2021 - 21:03
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We had our first at 33/32 and have just had our third at 39/38. I don't care if we're bang on trend, have them younger if at all possible imo.
Regardless of age, you don't want an iPad raising your kids.
Have you owned a TV for the last 13 years?
Then there's me who isn't planning on any kids because the world is heading in the wrong direction fast (both societal and physical) and so many things in life are a lot more difficult and expensive than initially expected.
Having kids does feel like the normal circle of life though.I hope you can keep it up OP - the good parenting that is.
Why not have kids and bring them up to try and make the world a better place? If only people who can't see the problems have kids they will not be able to see these problems or fix them.
Also the world, at least in 2016, actually has a lower proportion of starving people and people living in absolute poverty than at any point in human history. https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/opinion/life-in-…
Man/woman/other, how to even explain transgender and gender fluid to your kids?
Google wealth distribution boomers Vs millennials, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. If you can afford a house MAYBE your kids will be able to, if you can't then they have very little chance.
If you think finding unprocessed/unpreserved/non artificial food is difficult now compared to 10 years ago, just wait another 10 years.
Look at education now Vs what you had 2 decades ago, are you not concerned the current generation will be able to sustain themselve without mom and dad? Two generations from now we might as well be bundling newborn's with iPads and dumping them in the corner for 18 years.I mean I get what you are saying, large families are disproportionately skewed to less well-off and/or less educated sectors of society but I don't know if making the problem worse to make it better is the best way to go.
I look at my niece's and nephews, kids of friends and colleagues and I'm honestly extremely concerned about their future on so many fronts, I think I would be helping society way more by helping them rather than having kids of my own. A better future for less kids over a worse future for more kids in other words.I hear that having kids, I've got 2 so far, is daughnting and there are always problems to be solved, but think about the big problems 50-80 yrs ago Nazisim/communism dominating a bigger portion of the globe, polio, smallpox they would have dreamed of having what seem like big issues to us. Now think how hard it will be for your niece's and nephews to solve, as yet unknown, problems and trying carry the prior generation ontop with a ratio of workers to retires plumetting, the more people around to deal with the issues the better. Not saying the food isn't an issue but even with the artificial food people have better diets now (probably eating to much/badly by choice) in terms of nutrients and avoiding ilness like scurvy or starvation, a few years ago the world actually tipped over having more people with excess wieght issues than people that are starving. Ultimiatly we can only do our best and try to reduce the load on the next generation but by reducing their number we increase the burden on each member.
@jerrus: I get that, I am of European lineage which you likely know has a significant ageing population problem. At the same time, saying a population is top heavy has similarities to a pyramid scheme, something has to give eventually because those shapes aren't sustainable. The costs rise therefore everyone must either contribute more or we need more people to contribute.
The world can't keep growingly forever, there are only finite resources so I do believe it is very possible a future world war could be over something so common as fresh water supply.
The best option I think is to educate the current generation and hope they don't make the same mistakes. Really it looks like it will be up to India and China ultimately, the rest won't play that big a part a century from now in my opinion.
Man/woman/other, how to even explain transgender and gender fluid to your kids?
You don't, because kids don't have to be bothered with this bullshit.
@brendanm: Untill they start that mandatory crap in the schools.
It's an example of something that has created a protected group, you have to call someone what they identify as and if you voice your biologically or scientifically corrected opinion then you're in trouble. It's ridiculous and that sort of crap will continue spreading, too late to stop it.Untill they start that mandatory crap in the schools.
They had better not. My kids won't be in a school that does this.
It's an example of something that has created a protected group, you have to call someone what they identify as and if you voice your biologically or scientifically corrected opinion then you're in trouble. It's ridiculous and that sort of crap will continue spreading, too late to stop it.
The old boiling frog again. Bit by bit, and no one questions the insanity. It's bonkers.
" isn't planning on any kids because the world is heading in the wrong direction fast (both societal and physical) and so many things in life are a lot more difficult and expensive than initially expected."
Have you heard the line, often our imagination is worse than reality.
The world is what we choose to make it, don't not do something because of how we perceive the world. Do something because of how you want the world to be.
Hey, expectant first-time father here :)
Your family must bring you so much joy.I had a question regarding prams/strollers! We plan on having 3 kids under 5 and I wanted to ask what is your favourite pram? So far my wife loves the ultralight travel strollers e.g. Babyzen Yoyo2. Do you have any personal favourites/recommendations?
Cheers!
I dont think you can use those for under 6months old or until child is sitting upright.
We currently use a Babybee Duo with a Veebee EZ rider for the 2 year old. We find the 2 and 3 year old prefer to walk though so it doesn't often get used. The Babybee is a pretty good pram and can be used as a single or double pram, however if I were to ever need to replace it I'd get the Baby Jogger City Select. Previously we were using a Maclaren twin stroller (reclinable seats) and it was ok, but side by side strollers are a bit tricky to fit down small shopping centre aisles and I prefer the front and back seating arrangement. Congratulations to you and your wife, and wishing you both all the best with pregnancy and parenthood!
Not the OP but have a look at the Uppababy range. Our Cruz is near 5 years old and third baby and still like new. Separate bassinet is much better than convertible items and worth the cost. Very light weight, compact but roomy storage underneath. They also make the Vista which can be configured as a twin.
I have the Vista and love it, but I found that both of my kids were so unhappy in the bassinet and by 3 months I had moved them into the seat. Now I just use it as a single stroller and love it because it has so much space in the basket, - the time used as a double stroller was only a few months in the end. The older one mostly walks and occasionally uses the little skateboard.
Have you been too much on FB and Utube ?
Sorry I'm out of negs for yah .
These kids will be paying taxes to support us when we're retired. They might be our nurses, dentists, IT support, etc.
Highly doubtful. The number of kids people have has been shown to be inverse to the education level achieved:
https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/womens-educational-attain…
They will more likely be fruit pickers, road workers and more breeders.
When you have to split resources between more kids they each get less parenting and education.
Im 1 of 7 kids. In terms of professional careers in my immediate family we have lawyer, doctor, dentist, teacher, nurse, police, 1 runs landscaping business, 1 in uni and 1 full time in retail.
In my wife's family (1 of 6 kids) there is an exercise physiologist, nurse, nurse/midwife, mathamatics major and 2 still at school.
@StalkingIbis: Not much different from my family, except I'm one of 10 kids. Collectively we have contributed an absolute crap-tonne of tax in our working lives :)
If you isolate Australia, and the year 2010, your data is showing the average number of children (2), and the average years of education (12).
Nowhere does it say that > 2 children means < 12 years of education.The other years on that graph, are for other countries. In Australia, we have free public schools of a very high quality.
Additionally, you don't need to get through year 12 to get a job, pay taxes, and contribute to society.
For example, the chef in your future nursing home doesn't need 12 years of school.road workers
Road workers fix/build our roads and pay taxes.
This is about womens education not total education and corrolation not causation.
Funny you should mention that, we had an issue with a midwife with our 2nd youngest (no. 6 so you'd think we know the process by now surely!), she was saying how if our daughter was born at 37 weeks that studies say she'll be delayed, fall behind other kids her age and struggle at life. She was born the very next day and at 16mo. old has a 80+ word vocabulary (average is around 10-20 words), was the earliest to walk and has a very good understanding of reading peoples emotions and how the world / things fit together.
I shouldn't need to justify it, but our oldest 3 are in school and achieve above agerage grades (not saying they top of class though) - they have ambitions on what they want to do later in life and honestly the way they're going, they'll reach their aspirations without much trouble.
Toddlers are a little harder to read but our 3 year old shows a level of patience and empathy unlike anything i've ever seen, he's super well behaved and has excellent problem solving skills - you can give him a puzzle and he'll sit there patiently putting it together, I wish I had his level of patience!
Our 2 year old is a terror.. toys and technology don't interest him in the slightest, he's much more happy getting into my tools and dismantling things or showing his self reliance by raiding the pantry and eating anything he can get his hands on, if he can't reach an item he wants he'll use a broom to knock them down. He's able to count to 15, can recite the major colours and some of the more unique ones, he knows the difference between light and dark, big and small, happy and sad (via drawn faces - apparently a 5 year old milestone) and is suuuuper chatty when we have guests over - everyone just loves his attitude and sense of humour :) and then there's our 1 month old - way too early to tell but he's laughing now which is quite early (normally happens at 3-4mo.).Obviously time will tell and their levels of motivation will determine how successful they are however going at the current rate, they'll achieve some pretty amazing things in life and I'm very excited to see how far they can go :)
The best we can do is provide them all the necessary tools to exceed in life and education is a priority in our household - so far so good!
wasn't going to downvote you until you used the term "breeders". Gross.
how much tax do you think the 7 kids will pay in the future as adults?
These will also be the people driving up cost for your home when you sell and paying tax to support your pension.
What pension? We are being forced to save super for our own retirement while the government raise the pension age to 70 and beyond.
I’d put a couple a hundred on the bet that all your negs are from conservative voters (aka simpletons)
A bit rich coming from someone who can't have a debate that lasts longer than his Twitter talking points, and doesn't understand how to use the word "extrapolate".
To use a quote from your 2,000 year old book of fairytales, I don’t “throw my pearls to pigs”
@Boogerman: Haha it's quite funny that you think I'm religious. I've made many posts about religion on here, none of them positive. I'm sure that blows your tiny little mind.
@Boogerman: Where did I say I wasn't an atheist? This may come as a surprise to you, but people don't have to be left or right leaning. They can decide their own view on varying issues. Crazy isn't it!
@brendanm: Shhhhhhh…. Don’t confuse him. Just agree you’ll evenly spread everything you own with everyone else and we can all live in an anti-capitalist utopia.
As much as I hate being on the same side of an argument as Brendanm, Field1985 is way out of line and spouting absolute garbage. His anti family rhetoric is not supported by any of the major parties INCLUDING the Greens
Correlating number of kids to poor societal outcomes is likely true, but not all that helpful. I'd be much more interested in seeing the outcomes of large families from middle class upbringings, which seems more relevant to the debate.
As much as I hate being on the same side of an argument as Brendanm
😭 What ever did I do?
Correlating number of kids to poor societal outcomes is likely true, but not all that helpful. I'd be much more interested in seeing the outcomes of large families from middle class upbringings, which seems more relevant to the debate.
Absolutely this. I have a strong suspicion that parental income/socio-economic status will have a far stronger bearing on life/education outcomes than family size.
I would feel sick with guilt if I was your parent, knowing I’d raised my kid into the kind of person who freely spouts vile thoughts with arrogant self righteousness, just to attack others.
Oh, such confected outrage!
boo hoo
Don't necessarily agree about taxpayers, strongly agree about the environment. How anyone in the current era can think it's ok to have that many kids is baffling to me. Each one represents an absolutely enormous carbon footprint, especially in Australia where we have apparently decided to be the worst citizens of the world possible on that front.
The downvotes to anyone pointing out legitimate environmental concerns is super depressing, I have to say. It's like people have already forgotten the drought, heatwaves and massive bushfires of recent years because it's winter now, or maybe because the propaganda to keep them docile on environmental issues has been so effective.
because the propaganda to keep them docile on environmental issues has been so effective.
Actually, it's the opposite 😊
weird flex but ok
damn you even manage to slot in gaming somewhere! my utmost respect to you and your wife, this puts things in perspective indeed
How do you find time to do AMAs on a bargain site?
What a disgrace
What do you do with the kids during holidays?
What car do you put 7 kids into?
Do you get help?
The same as we do on weekends. We go out and explore new places, visit places we have previously enjoyed, have movie days, go to the park, go on walks or random drives, and visit places like the zoo, ice skating, movies, play centres etc. We also have days of the school aged kids doing their own thing or spending time with friends.
We have a Hiace Commuter, and a Kia Grand Carnival as our backup vehicle
Typically we don't get any help. My mum spends some one on one time with the older kids every few weeks but other than that, no.
How much govt money are you reaping
We pay them, not the other way around ;)
Where are you originally from?
Most likely the UK
Actually, I was born in Germany and moved here at a young age (1yo.), have been in perth ever since - my mum didn't adjust well to living here in Perth and moved back to Germany when we were quite young - my dad did a phenomenal job as a single parent raising my brother and I.
Did you start when the baby bonus was around?
Technically yes. We hadn't planned to have a baby though and weren't actually aware of the baby bonus until after falling pregnant.
do they have ID numbers or names?
Barcodes are more effective.
Also solves the issue of trying to keep clothes on them!
Useful for those times he needs to do a stocktake, true!
How much welfare do you get from the government?
Compared to the income tax you pay?Do you have a game plan or approach with discipline and steering them to the right path? I know family with 6 children and the parents mostly let them do whatever they want.
In regards to discipline, it differs depending on what they've done. Generally we'll get them to acknowledge and understand what they've done wrong and how to resolve the situation. If they've been nasty to someone, they apologise and express why they felt the need to be nasty (without passing blame onto anyone else). If they've not done their homework, they miss out on free time. If they've thrown a tantrum, we'll sit down and talk through their emotions with them.
We often ask the kids what they think is an appropriate punishment for what they've done wrong and 9/10 times they'll choose something appropriate. We ask "was that the right way to handle that situation?" And they'll say no so we follow up with "what do you think you could have done differently".
We also take away screen time and toys.
For the younger kids, if they've done something to hurt another person or broken something, we encourage comfort and drawing a nice picture to say sorry. They're not as understanding of what apologies are but they often say sorry if you express that they've done something upsetting.
Will you be buying the Kia Carnival 11 seater if it ever comes out in Australia?
Probably not. Accessing the rear and middle seats would be rather tricky. We like our van. It's spacious and all seats are easy to access!
I also will be renting a commuter for a trip. Only downside is indoor parking some places restricted to 1.8m height and commuter is like 2.1-2.2m
Each extra person uses resources and causes pollution. If human-induced climate change really exists (I'm not saying one way or the other) - definitely having more than your replacement number of kids (<=2) is nothing short of environmental vandalism. And no doubt, many kids from large families will fight for climate action when the cause is their parents reproductive excess. Yet ppl look to government for action on climate change when much can be achieved at an individual level - turn car (and aircon) off when parked, waiting for petrol, sitting outside a shopping centre, waiting to pick up junior pollutors from school, etc. Reduce air-conditioning and heating use - live somewhere sensible! And so on. Ughh - thats all I can say in a modern world to excessive reproduction. Sorry if that offends - truth hurts.
Elon Musk actually believes it's heading in the opposite direction. As more people comes into wealth, the less children they have (or if any). We already have the data of current birth rates and all figures are dropping. This means we, can already project the population numbers decades from now and the numbers can going go lower (people dying before the expected rate due to unforeseen circumstances or events). There is a serious concern that there won't be enough workforce to support the aging population (we are living longer due to advances in medicine and overall better lifestyle). The area with high birth rates are usually the poorer third world nations where life expectancy are lower and so is education.
oh get off your high horse and stop being a debbie downer. If people can successfully handle parenting 7 children who are you to go around preaching about climate change. If you care so much take one for the team and practice what you preach. Entitled incel
[double]
How do you know this person doesn't practice what they preach?
I have two kids only because my partner and I are not so egocentric to believe that we have the right to continue to grow the already unsustainable human population just because we reckon our DNA is amazing.
Why do you have 2 kids? you should of stopped at 1 or none at all. Adoption is available and here people are talking about unsustainable human population. You have children because it makes you happy, and if thats 2 for you and 7 for the the op, then so be it. It doesnt make the op anymore egocentric than you and your partner.
"If human-induced climate change really exists (I'm not saying one way or the other)"
The fact that people still talk like this in 2021 terrifies me. That 'debate' was never a debate.
How spread out are the birthdays? Are they all clumped together? If so, how will you manage the parties/celebration?
What's the split between girls/boys? Do they play with each other or tends to separate? ie girls play together while the boys play together. Or is it more around age?
Do you/did you get any help from your parents or parents in law?
We have 3 kids birthdays 3 weeks apart at the beginning of the year, one in the middle of the year and 3 kids birthdays 2 weeks apart towards the end of the year! We combine the 2/3 yr olds birthdays because they're 11 months apart in age and have no issues sharing. We give the option to the older children whether they want a combined celebration or one of their own. It's their birthday so they get to celebrate they way they want to :)
We have 2 girls and 5 boys. The older 2 boys (8 and 12) share common interests so they often play together. Our 10 year old daughter prefers her independence but also likes playing with her older brother. The 3 toddlers often play together but it's usually our 1 year old daughter and 2 year old son who are inseperable! The 3 year old likes to do his own thing lately. The Older kids also like to play outside with the younger ones or watch movies with them so they all tend to interact with each other throughout the day
We don't get any help other than my mum spending some time with the older kids every few weeks
what do you and your wife do for a living?
Hats off to you.. Im already tired with 2 kids, WFH & studying at the same time.
How many Medicare cards do you have?
2 for myself + kids, Marc has his own :)
And there it is, my weekly reminder not to have kids. Thank you OP and good luck (:
Where do you live? Metro Sydney? Regional Victoria?
Interested in this as well, Metro Sydney is expensive and only getting worse
The outer suburbs of Perth Metro
Inspiring story OP.
How's your cashflow? Do you still have spare $ in saving/for investment?
We always have money leftover at the end of each fortnight and also have a small amount in savings. We did have more saved but bought our van outright so we're starting to build that back up again. We have money allocated for bills, essentials, afterpay repayments and then luxuries and savings. We typically base our food and luxury spends around what we have left after paying bills so we typically don't overspend
Any creative solutions that you're particularly proud of that let you manage all that? Like making meals in bulk and then freezing them, or gps bracelets to keep track of the kids when you're all out together?
GPS bracelets would be handy! Thankfully, we don't often lose a kid! I do make temporary tattoos with my phone number on it incase someone gets lost :)
Planning out meals for the week makes things smoother. Some days we don't feel energised enough to make a particular meal so we make sure we have a few different options for each day. I go for foods with longer expiry or ones that are more versatile like mince and chicken so we can do something fancy or we can do a quick and easy Bolognaise or tacos. We also have snacks on hand to keep the toddlers occupied while they impatiently wait for dinner.
We look at the most efficient ways to do daily tasks. For example, while one load of laundry is in the dryer, I'll wash items that are line dried, so by the time another load needs to go in the dryer, the first load will have finished. I do half the bedding on a Saturday, and half on Sunday.
We get the kids to help with cleanup and sorting laundry. We give them the option of what area to help with. The toddlers actually enjoy picking up toys!
I also found telling the big kids that doing certain chores were 'grown up jobs' and kids weren't allowed to help. After a few weeks of them begging to help, we let them. Now they think loading and unloading the dishwasher is a reward ;)
Thats pretty amazing OP, we have two and wish we can have a few more but then we won't be financially stable (at least that's what I think).
How amazing will be xmas dinners at your place when they all are grown up, amazing!
Are condoms that expensive?
Its cheaper and easier to rear 7 kids on $115k
Yeh, especially when tax payers are paying for it.
Hats off to OP for pulling this off.
We have just 1 at the moment and have been putting off the idea of having the second one due to the impact to our finance, and our family income is a lot higher than OP's.
Maybe it's the Sydney house price.
I would say its your expenses
I reckon it’s got more to do with not knowing any better. Have kids straight out of school so you have no idea that life can actually be better. Then you can enjoy peace and quiet in mid-later life picking up the pieces