RAD DECISION
I have 22 kids & am mum to Britain’s biggest family – I want to foster or adopt to avoid an empty nest, says Sue Radford
Sue also opened up on her daily routine, as well as the assumptions many people have made about her family
DESPITE having the biggest family in Britain, Sue Radford has shared her desire for more children.
The mum-of-22, from Morecambe, Lancashire, has opened up about the prospect of fostering or adopting children as her eldest children leave home.
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Speaking to , the stay-at-home mother of the UK’s largest family and star of Channel 5’s 22 Kids And Counting, explained that she 'dreads' the thought of having an empty nest.
Sue, who had her first child at 13 and has spent an astonishing 16-and-a-half years of her life pregnant, reveals that she and her husband Noel, love being surrounded by children.
She explained: “We adore being surrounded by kids so I’d love to adopt or foster.”
Sue also explained that the couple won’t be having any more biological children of their own, so adoption or fostering are routes they would be interested in going down.
Read more on the Radfords
She added: “We’re not having any more of our own so it’s something we’d think about when ours are older.”
The couple share Chris, 34, Sophie, 29, Chloe, 28, Jack, 26, Daniel, 24, Luke, 22, Millie, 22, Katie, 20, James, 19, Ellie, 18, Aimee, 17, Josh, 16, Max, 14, Tillie, 13, Oscar, 11, Casper, 10, Hallie, eight, Phoebe, seven, Archie, six, Bonnie, four, and Heidie, three.
They also lost a son, Alfie, who was stillborn in 2014.
But Sue, 48, who is now a grandma of 10, has revealed that with another of her eldest children about to leave home, the Radford family dynamic is changing.
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She added: “When they started to move out, it was hard as a mum and strange not to have them all together.
“I dread the thought of an empty nest but I know it will happen one day.
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"You can’t hold your kids back – when you love them, you have to let them live their dreams.”
We previously saw Sue open up about the pressures she and Noel have faced in their relationship, including a bankruptcy that almost caused a divorce.
But not only this, speaking to , Sue also revealed the pressures she faces as a mum-of-22.
We adore being surrounded by kids so I’d love to adopt or foster
Sue Radford
When it comes to the a typical day with a bumper brood, Sue explained: “Some kids will want porridge, some Weetabix, some toast.
“We have them doing things in a particular order – older ones go upstairs to get themselves ready while I help the smaller ones. It’s Bedlam by the shoe rack!”
Sue also admitted that her days consist of mammoth tidying, hoovering and washing – as the family even have two washing machines to cope with the five daily loads.
But being in the spotlight has also caused issues for the Radfords.
Sue opened up on personal attacks as well as accusations that are made about the family.
Sue concluded: “People just jump to conclusions. We don’t claim benefits – the pie company is very successful and so is our media business. We work hard but we’re not millionaires!
I dread the thought of an empty nest but I know it will happen one day
Sue Radford
“The nastiness is upsetting though. We just want to be able to give our children the best possible life.
“My mindset changed when my dad passed away. I thought, if we want to be able to go on holiday and make memories with our children, then why should we be judged?
“You should live life how you want and not how other people want you to live it.
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"If you’re happy and the kids are happy, then what does it matter what anybody else thinks?”
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