Are Nadya Sulemans kids suffering?

I am completely fascinated by Nadya Sulemans story. She is the American who has 14 children – 6 of various ages and then octuplets. I am amazed by how she copes and her survival techniques and wonder what I would be like in her situation (its never going to happen!) My main concern around having so many children is how she can give the children what they need in terms of emotional support and how they will grow up with having such little attention from their mum. 

At the present time the older ones probably need her more than the babies. Babies need to be fed, slept, changed and can be happy surrounded by toys and their enviorment to look at. The older ones need to be nurtured in a different way – they need time from her to discuss what is going on in their lives and how they feel about things. I wonder when they sit down with her and have that one-to-one time without interruption. I can imagine that they are used to homelife and just get on with it.

There was a clip on tv last night where Nadya was shouting at one of the older children  for something they had done and I thought this child did not need to be spoken to like that. That child was asking her mum to recognise their feelings and their needs by behaving in that way.  It was probably a cry for attention to say, ‘remember me, I am one of your children and I need you.’ What are your thoughts? – The Kids Coach

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2 Comments for this entry

• 

  Nikki Cooke

  November 13th, 2009 on 2:01 pm

  Hi. A fascinating post. I too watched the programme with interest. Although I don’t have children, I have spent many years teaching children. The one thing I would say that kids need above all is ‘time.’

  Getting quality time from parents, as well as individual love and attention, are such important factors in a child’s nurturing. Emotional support is often overlooked and yet it’s crucial to a child’s well-being. Quite how she will provide this as years go on, is a worry.

  It seemed to me that her need to have lots of children was the primary focus. The underlying reason behind that drive was very interesting.

  Yet, at the same token, I did wonder whether she had given any thought to the needs of the children?

  I thought your last comment was poignant. Children don’t often ’say’ what they need. Body language speaks volumes. That child was doing what was only natural and yet was chastised for it. The danger is that the children will grow up learning wrong behaviours or will end up with all sorts of self-esteem issues.

  I hope I’m wrong, as the mum in the programme clearly wants her children. Is wanting and loving them enough though?
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  AlanibleJen

  December 11th, 2009 on 11:03 pm

  Awesome blogpost, didn’t thought reading this was going to be so amazing when I saw your title with link.