Nadya Suleman "Octomom" on Oprah

Nadya Suleman on Oprah: Can Any Mother Handle 14 Children?

April 20, 2010

Nadya Suleman gained fame (or infamy) when she gave birth to the world's first surviving octuplets. The mom quickly given the nickname "Octomom" already had six children at home. During an interview with Oprah that aired today, the talk show host asked, "Do you feel that you can give your children what they need and deserve?" Suleman said no, that "no parent could," but that she would die before she'd give up any of her kids. What one woman can handle is overwhelming for another. While some parents hit their limit with a single child, there are others like the Duggars who have 19 and would welcome more offspring. But do you think any single mother (or father) could handle the Suleman bunch, which includes octuplets, twins, and an autistic child?

12 Comments

3 years 4 weeks

I am a mother and I also work with children on a daily basis. I also carry a degree in Earlychildhood Education. I firmly believe that with a good support system (family and friends) octomom will be just fine! No ONE mother is perfect as long as we love and support our children in every way possible to the best of our ability we are #1 mom in our childrens hearts.

jenni5 3 years 4 weeks

And me....never in a million years!

jenni5 3 years 4 weeks

Some people....possibly. Her....no!

Girl Jen 3 years 4 weeks

Yeah! What starbucks said! :D It might be possible for someone incredibly patient who doesn't need much sleep to take care of 14 young children's most basic needs, but nothing more.

starbucks 3 years 5 weeks

I think you can handle them, but nothing more. You can not give them the attention and love they need. It's one thing to feed and change babies. It's another thing to raise, love, educate children!

Liss 3 years 5 weeks

I agree with the comments that if they were spread out you could. There is no way a single person could care properly for 8 newborn babies by themselves and give them each all the love and attention they need and still care for 6 other children.

3 years 5 weeks

Yes, if they're spaced out like the Duggars are. The older ones help with the younger ones. When they are all the same age, and the "older" ones are not really much older, it would be very difficult. Even the Duggars admit that when their oldest ones were young it was a lot more difficult than it is now.

3 years 5 weeks

A single mom with 14 kids that are spaced evenly? Sure. A single mom with 14 kids between 9 and 4 and then eight 1-year-olds at once? No way.

3 years 5 weeks

Honestly, whether you can handle it or not, it's selfish to bring that many children into a world like this.

3 years 5 weeks

i cannot imagine ANYONE would be able to handle that many children...at a young age. once the kids got older, sure why not, but until they're at LEAST 4 i don't think it's possible to do alone. i work at a daycare and the ratio for our 2y.o. room is 1:8 and i think that's absurd as it is, it's hard enough to take care of 8 kids' basic needs, i can't imagine almost twice that many.

snowysakurasky 3 years 5 weeks

not me, but never say never!

3 years 5 weeks

I'm sure there are a few people out there who could handle a situation like that, but very few! Without an incredible support system, I don't think many couples, let alone a single parent, could handle it. Some days I'm overwhelmed by my 3 kids, even though most days I'd love another 1 or 2. Everyone is different, and what 1 person finds acceptable and comfortable, another does not.

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