I’m a mum of SIX at 23 – I was still playing with dolls when I gave birth at 15, my kids weren’t planned but rolled in
A 23-YEAR-OLD woman with six children under seven recalled how her life changed after her first pregnancy.
The stay-at-home mum explained that she was “still playing with dolls” when she became pregnant at 15.
In her viral videos, TikTok user who goes by Mama Nyjul (@mama.nyjul) shares insights into her life.
The mum was just a young teen when she learned she was expecting her first child, daughter Peyton.
She described her naivety at the time, explaining that she didn’t even know how she became pregnant.
“I was literally still playing with the dolls,” the TikToker explained, adding that she felt “embarrassed.”
When the woman was 16, she became pregnant with her second child Ali.
Then she met her now partner Tomas while they were both working at the same shop.
She recalled how “amazing” he was with her two children at the time, saying it was “just good vibes and happiness.”
The mum added that Tomas “immediately took them in as his own” when they began dating.
And just two months in to their relationship, she found out she was pregnant again.
The couple now share four children together, including identical twin girls who they welcomed earlier this year.
However, the TikToker explained that expanding her family hadn’t originally been the plan.
“We actually didn’t want any more kids, they kind of just started rolling in back to back,” she revealed.
The young family now have six children aged seven years or younger.
TikTok users shared their thoughts on the family-of-eight in the comments section.
“Girl, I only got one and [I’m] ready to run into the damn door head first,” joked one viewer.
How can you make a blended family work?
THERE are an increasing amount of blended families making it work around the world, with some of them even taking that extra step and living together.
And in a post on the Supernanny website, clinical psychologist Dr Victoria Samuel has revealed her three of her top tips to make a blended family work and to avoid common blended family pitfalls.
Prepare for intense feelings
“For a new blended family to be formed, a breakdown of an original family must happen, so it’s normal for children to experience intense and sometimes overwhelming feelings: anger, disappointment, sadness, grief, guilt, worry and insecurity,” she said.
“When parents remarry or move in with a new partner who has children from a pre-existing marriage, a child faces further threats to his sense of stability.”
To help this process, ensure you accept and listen to all your children’s feelings “without judgement or suggesting immediate solutions”, and “convey an acceptance of their experiences with concern and empathy”.
Agree parenting roles
“It’s absolutely crucial to show a united front,” Dr Victoria said.
“The younger family members need to know that rules will be consistently and fairly applied, by both adults, to all children in the family.”
In a bid to put across a “consistent approach”, take the time to “openly discuss your parenting values with your new partner”.
“Talk about those taken-for-granted beliefs you have about family life: what behaviour you expect and what you won’t tolerate,” she added.
Push a problem-solving approach
“A great way of avoiding simmering resentment is to arrange regular family meetings,” Dr Victoria suggested.
“Take it in turns to chair the meeting and avoid interruptions and shouting with the pass the stone technique: to be allowed to talk at the meeting, the ‘stone’ (a pen or apple or whatever you have to hand!) has to be in the speaker’s hands.
“There is only one stone, so only one person talks at once.”
“Good on you for managing all those babies, my boy is seven and although I wouldn’t change him for the world, I would never be able to handle more than one so well done you,” said another follower.
“Well, I’m happy she found a mate and [I’m] praying for their sanity and happiness,” commented a third person.
“Girl, I have three and that’s it, I can’t deal with the ones I got but all kids are a blessing,” wrote another TikTok user.
“‘Kind of started rolling in!!!’ God continued blessing you and your kids,” said one viewer.
“Bring sex education back to schools ASAP,” commented another follower.