Celebrating big families

Christmas with five young children was fantastic - now they are older it's still terrific, if chaotic. The children always have someone to play with and they can entertain themselves. The house is never quiet and you always have someone to talk to - I'm never lonely. I love being around them and feel so proud.
viv_king66 (Mum of six)

The children are great company, especially our six-year-old, he always makes us laugh. As siblings, they're all very close and the best of friends - most of the time. Call us crazy but we just love having children - we're already looking forward to lots of grandchildren.
roccos_mummy_04 (Mum of four)

I don't throw away food if it's good for another day. Leftover pizza is great for lunch with a bit of salad. I like the kids to eat sensibly so I don't buy many sweets (they have them on Sundays as a special treat) or anything that only has empty calories. Also, we try to use the car as little as possible as petrol is expensive for a seven-seater.
sarahjb1976 (Mum of four)

I do a weekly shop, though I usually have to pick up extras during the week too. I buy things like Weetabix, tea bags, fruit, ketchup in bulk and buy the supermarket's own brands - they taste as good as anything else. When the triplets came, feeding three extra mouths was quite a leap.

Clothes get handed down. My older girls find fantastic bargains in bags and shoes in charity shops. I buy baby Abby's clothes from charity shops. They're in perfect condition and only a fraction of the cost of ordinary shops. Car boot sales are also good. Once your child has grown out of clothes and toys, I'd recommend having a car boot sale of your own.
viv_king66 (Mum of six)

I shop on a daily basis as we live almost next door to a supermarket. I find if I do a bulk shop, I buy things I shouldn't, spend a fortune and come home with no food. I like fruit and vegetables very fresh, so find it is easier to buy these everyday. If I need something at midnight I'll go to a 24-hour Tesco - during my pregnancy I was a frequent visitor to Tesco at 3am! We buy toilet rolls, kitchen towels, nappies and children's pack-lunch drinks in bulk at Costco, the wholesale center. If I see a bargain anywhere I'll buy it. But I try to remember that a bargain is only a bargain if you actually need it.
roccos_mummy_04 (Mum of four)