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Parents: You had ten children. It’s a choice ?
Magalie: Yes ! After we met, we settled very quickly [in Burgundy] and I got pregnant. I was 19. I lost my baby when I was four months pregnant. Then we had Killian, who is now 19 years old. After each birth, we wanted to have another. The births of Cassandra (18 years old), Naomie (16 years old), Ilona (14 years old), Julie-Rose (12 years old), Thaïs (11 years old), Héloïse (9 years old), Gaëtan (6 years old), Amauryne followed (4 years), Typheen (2 years).
From a financial point of view, how do you organize yourself?
Magalie: I have always returned to work between births. I started my home account as an accounting secretary. My husband has two jobs. He is rarely at home, but is very proud that his children lack nothing. In terms of accommodation, we started by renting an apartment, then when I was pregnant with the sixth, we wanted a big house. Today, we have ten bedrooms, two bathrooms …
It’s a physical feat!
Magalie: Yes, especially since I don’t like to be pregnant! I am hyperactive and the big belly bothers me. But I was lucky, I didn’t have any problems. My deliveries were great, neither episio nor cesarean section, the daddy was always there. But I have big back problems …
Ten children every day, do you keep calm?
Magalie: Yes, I am very patient, it is going well. For bickering, I anticipate, I separate them. With experience, I know what they need, which “duets” work. I also sometimes take time with everyone: movies, shopping. When I had babies, I carried them a lot and we did co-sleeping until 6 months, it was calmer for everyone. Of course, I do sometimes scream but it’s rare and I hate it. Anyone helping out at home?
How are your days?
Magalie: I do not impose anything on children, especially not on adults to look after the little ones! It was I who wanted this large family. I manage all the logistics. I get up at 4:45 am to manage the laundry, prepare breakfast, then make the beds… When all the children have left (by bus) or dropped off (by car) at school, college and high school, I do soil, dust, then I take care of the lunch of the little ones. I cook easy, but as balanced as possible. Every Thursday, I pick up my shopping Drive, I have a menu board. In the afternoon, during the little one’s nap, I do the administration, my work, my Insta account. Then, when everyone comes back, it’s afternoon tea, homework and showers. We don’t have dinner after 19 p.m. The older ones read a story to the younger ones. Good night, kisses, everyone goes to bed quickly! I take a little time with the grown-ups to chat. The three eldest are no longer there during the week: Naomie is in boarding school. And Killian and Cassandra in graduate school. We call each other every night.
How do you keep up with this rhythm?
Magalie: In the evening, I relax in front of the Internet, a series, if I don’t have a job or laundry to fold! My husband comes home late, I let him rest. Especially since he has health problems. I’m like that, I want to manage everything on my own. Seeing that my children are doing well makes me happy. We don’t have a family that helps us. We broke all ties. Our friends don’t live next door. I have girlfriends with whom I laugh, who help me out. And when we can, we go on vacation (in France), we go on small outings, walks in the forest …
Why did you create this Instagram account?
Magalie: It was Naomie who advised me to do it, to show that we were a normal family: neither “catho tradi”, nor “cas soc”! Around us, people are rather admiring. There are also free reviews, especially via the networks. But being followed, making friends, going to Paris, gives me confidence in myself, in my choices. And I’m even thinking of working in communication.