How I Went from Mum-of-3 to Mum-of-17 in Just 6 Years—Uncover the £14K Food Bill Secrets!

Meet the Unbelievable Family: How One Mom Became a Mother to 17 in Just Six Years!

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to manage a family of 17 children? Buckle up because Kelly Green, a 39-year-old from Summerville, North Carolina, and her husband Timothy, 44, have taken the concept of a big family to an extraordinary level. Over the span of just six years, they grew from a family of five to an astonishing mother of 17 by fostering and adopting children in need.

How They Became a Family of 17

Just six years ago, Kelly and Timothy were a typical family with three biological kids: Morgan (22), Braylon (18), and Slayton (16). But in 2019, they embraced a new journey by starting to foster children. The couple welcomed an incredible 129 children into their home, eventually adopting 14 of them as their own. This dedication to fostering has now changed their lives forever.

Kelly disclosed, “In 2019, we decided to foster because we realized there were so many kids out there without a parent or stable family environment.” The couple often feels overwhelmed but finds their home enriched by the laughter and love of their 17 children.

The Skyrocketing Food Bill of a Family with 17 Kids

With a bustling household, it’s no surprise that their grocery bill has skyrocketed. Kelly spends approximately £14,000 ($18,000) a year on groceries. This breaks down to around £1,300 ($1,700) monthly. Shopping becomes a strategic affair; she frequents three stores including Walmart and Aldi to ensure she gets the best deals for their growing family.

“I stick to the list I prepare every week to keep our groceries under control,” Kelly explains. “Some weeks, a gallon of milk doesn’t last two days, and others, it can stretch for up to three days.” Managing this constant ebb and flow of consumption surely requires top-notch organization skills.

The Daily Routine of a Supermom

Imagine waking up at 5:45 AM every day! That’s the reality for Kelly as she gears up to handle the parental duties of 17 kids. Her daily schedule keeps everything running smoothly. First, she wakes the younger children for school and drops off the older ones at their respective schools. The day is meticulously divided to accommodate everyone’s needs.

A typical day in Kelly’s bustling household:

• 5:45 AM: Wake up
• 6:50 AM: Take elementary children to school
• 8:00 AM: Drop off younger kids at play group
• 9:00 AM: Middle school and high schoolers in school
• 1:00 PM: Pick up the youngest from play group
• 1:50 PM: Collect elementary kids from school
• 4:00 PM: All children home; dinner prep begins
• 5:30 PM: Dinner time
• 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM: Nightly cleanup
• 7:30 PM: Bath time for younger children
• 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM: Bedtime routines staggered by age

Kelly emphasizes the importance of sticking to a routine to maintain sanity. “If I let my schedule slip, everything gets chaotic,” she admits.

Fostering: A Lifelong Commitment

Before starting their big family journey, Kelly and Timothy aimed to support children without stable homes. However, after becoming grandparents in January 2024, they decided to stop adopting. Kelly mentions, “Our promise to our children was that we would not adopt more children when they start having kids of their own. We want to be present for our grandchildren as they grow.”

How to Foster Children: Steps and Considerations

If you find yourself inspired by Kelly and Timothy, you may consider embarking on a fostering journey yourself. Here are steps to help you navigate the process:

1. Research and Understand Fostering: Familiarize yourself with the types of fostering available (e.g., short-term, long-term) and the responsibilities involved.

2. Assess Your Suitability: Reflect on whether you have the time and resources for fostering while considering how it will affect your lifestyle.

3. Contact Local Agencies: Reach out to fostering agencies or authorities for information and to express interest.

4. Attend Information Sessions: Many agencies offer sessions to learn more about fostering.

5. Complete the Application Process: A social worker will conduct home visits and assessments to determine your suitability.

6. Training and Approval: Attend training courses that cover empowering topics like child development and trauma care before being recommended to the fostering panel.

7. Ongoing Support: Expect continuous support from social workers and opportunities for further training.

Why They Wouldn’t Trade Their Life for Anything

Despite the challenges, Kelly and Timothy wouldn’t change their big family for the world. Their lives are filled with love, laughter, and purpose as they care for their kids. As Kelly succinctly puts it, “Every day is a different adventure, and we wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Being a parent to 17 may seem daunting, but for Kelly, it’s a dream come true—a beautiful chaos that she has embraced wholeheartedly. If you’re looking for inspiration to help children in need, their story could just be the motivation you’ve been waiting for.