Viewers of This Morning were left in shock as a couple revealed they are expecting their fourteenth child and openly discussed the overwhelming cost of raising such a large family.
Parents Natalie and Oliver Jackson, who already have 13 children, appeared on the show on April 14 to share the happy news of baby number 14, due in June.
The pair, who have been parents since 2005, spoke candidly about their journey. As Oliver explained, the couple’s road to parenthood wasn’t an easy one, as Oliver was diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer in 2004. He underwent chemotherapy and was told he was “subfertile” afterward.
“Back in 2004, I was diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer,” Oliver recalled. “After the operation and chemotherapy, I was assessed as subfertile.”
But despite the odds, the couple’s dreams of having a family began to come true. “We started looking into IVF, thinking that would be our only option,” Oliver said. But then, Natalie surprised him one day with a pregnancy test. “We’ve kind of not stopped since.”
Describing their children as “miracles,” Natalie added: “We feel blessed, we don’t see it as a chore. We just feel very, very lucky.”
The Shocking Costs of Raising a Supersized Family
With 13 children already under their roof, the couple revealed some of the challenges they face financially. “Thankfully, Oliver’s in a well-paid job, so we just have to budget and stretch it to cover,” Natalie explained. “We don’t have a choice, you can’t send them back!”
However, they joked that only their daughter Seren has her own bedroom, while the others share. As for school, some of their children attend boarding school, which the couple credits for helping to ease the financial strain.
“We earn over the £60k child benefit threshold and pay 40% tax,” Natalie continued. “We get military accommodation, so we have a big enough house and our six eldest attend a military boarding school, which is very helpful.”
Yet, despite these arrangements, viewers were left stunned by the Jacksons’ commitment to growing their family. Some This Morning fans took to social media to share their shock and disbelief.
One viewer wrote: “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should! #ThisMorning,” while another added, “#ThisMorning two child benefit cap… have a vasectomy or use protection. Unless he’s earning thousands, how can they afford it?”
Others were equally outspoken: “B****y ridiculous! Who needs that many kids #thismorning?” and “Vontrap family ain’t got a look in #thismorning.”
A Shocking Twist: The Vasectomy That Didn’t Work
In an unexpected twist, Oliver shared that he had a vasectomy after the couple’s 10th child, but it clearly didn’t work. “Lo and behold, that obviously didn’t work. We’re now expecting our fourth child since the vasectomy,” he laughed.
Despite these surprising revelations, Natalie and Oliver remain devoted to each other and their ever-growing family.
The Struggles of Balancing Family Life and Finances
Although their family is thriving, the financial burden of raising 13 children, with another on the way, is a constant concern. But, as Oliver pointed out, they are able to make it work through budgeting and careful financial planning.
“Thankfully, Oliver’s job pays well enough to cover it all,” Natalie explained. “We just have to make sure we budget carefully.”
With the cost of raising such a large family already substantial, the Jacksons continue to make sacrifices to ensure their children have everything they need. Despite the chaos that comes with such a big family, they remain passionate about their growing brood and feel deeply blessed by their children.
A Growing Family and a Bigger Future
As the Jacksons prepare to welcome their 14th child, their remarkable journey continues to capture the attention of fans and critics alike. From the emotional toll of dealing with health issues and the financial challenges of raising a supersized family, the Jacksons’ story is one of resilience, love, and unwavering commitment.
While their story continues to spark debate, there’s no denying that the Jacksons’ journey is one of both incredible challenges and extraordinary blessings.
