Emotional Sue Radford faces biggest parenting challenge yet - 'you can't hold them back'
01.03.2024 - 12:41
/ ok.co.uk
AS a mum of 22 Sue Radford’s busy household can sometimes look like it’s run as a military operation - and that means strict rules. From getting the kids out the door for school each morning to regulations around mobile phone use Sue, 48, and husband Noel who star in Chanel 5's hit TV show 22 Kids and Counting know that order is the key to keeping their big brood happy and the household running smoothly.
But there’s one rule that’s sacred in the Radford family's busy Morecambe home - and that’s ‘follow your dreams’. Sue, who has 'hectic' Mother's Day plans, admits that when a couple of her grown-up children started to leave home to follow their own ambitions it was an emotional time for her as a parent.
Now, though, she is facing the departure of son Daniel to the other side of the world as he contemplates a move to Australia. “It was really hard when the first ones moved out; it was strange and very emotional,” admits Sue who has been married to Noel for almost 32 years.
“They all still live quite close by, though, which is great. However, Daniel will be a 24 hour ‘plane journey away - it’s a full day just to get to see him! “But you have to jump at opportunities.
And as a mum you have to encourage your kids to follow their dreams. You can’t hold them back - you have to let them go and do what they want to do and support them whatever.” Sue and Noel wed she was just 17 and already parents to Chris, now 34.
The couple then went on to have 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
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