Nadya Suleman Embraces Old-School Parenting for Her Teen Octuplets

Nadya Suleman Embraces Old-School Parenting for Her Teen Octuplets

Natalie ‘Nadya’ Suleman has taken on the monumental task of raising a family of 14 children, a journey that has retained its fair share of challenges and triumphs. Known to many as “Octomom,” Suleman gained fame in 2009 when she gave birth to the world’s first surviving set of octuplets.

Amidst the pressures of parenting and navigating public perception, Suleman juggles the responsibilities of raising six children from previous pregnancies alongside her octuplets. This unique situation has not come without criticism. She has faced backlash for being perceived as an unemployed welfare recipient, a label she firmly challenges, stating, “that was not the case at all.”

Lessons from the Past

Reflecting on her parenting style, Suleman admits she felt she “failed” her older children due to her permissive approach during their formative years. She believes her initial lack of structure has influenced her current parenting philosophy.

“I personally believe I failed as a parent to implement all of the knowledge I acquired in college,” Suleman shared. “I raised them just permissive, which is wrong. You shouldn’t do that. You should implement consistent structure, discipline and consequences, plus love, unconditional love and acceptance. I only did the latter.”

Through these experiences, she learned valuable lessons about maintaining a balance between love and discipline. Suleman recognizes that addressing issues such as structure and boundaries is essential in nurturing responsible and successful children.

Instilling Discipline in Her Octuplets

In her current role as a mother to the octuplets, Suleman has adopted a more structured approach. She emphasizes boundaries and instills rules to guide her children’s behavior. According to Suleman, these rules contribute to their overall development.

“They’re not allowed to date until they’re 18,” she stated. Her daughter Nariyah, 16, expressed that strict rules shape their upbringing. “She’s very strict, and she educates us a lot. We don’t have phones. We have one phone for communication.”

Suleman has also placed a ban on social media within her household. Citing concerns about its negative impact, she explains, “It’s toxic. I don’t even like going on it. I only do it to share, and I dread it. It’s so unhealthy.” She insists that children should not engage with social media until they reach adulthood.

Encouraging Empathy and Altruism

Suleman strives to teach her children the importance of looking beyond themselves. She juxtaposes her values against what she perceives to be a growing trend of self-absorption in younger generations. “I’m a little more old school in how I’m raising my kids to focus on others, try to value serving because then the byproduct of that is internal joy and happiness,” she noted.

This philosophy extends to her children, who are encouraged to understand the significance of empathy and community involvement. Suleman’s proactive approach aims to counteract tendencies toward entitlement and self-centeredness.

A Unique Living Situation

Currently, Suleman and 11 of her children reside in a three-bedroom apartment in Southern California. Managing a household of this size presents unique challenges. Suleman reveals that her family embraces an ethical vegan lifestyle, stating, “We save money because we don’t buy animal products. Those are the most expensive, too. And it’s the healthiest. But we’re ethical vegans, and so we’re doing it primarily just for the animals and to minimize the damage done to our planet.”

Family bonding time includes playing games and enjoying movie nights. However, her teens are also beginning to look forward to milestones such as driving and working. Son Jeremiah expressed his eagerness, stating simply, “Driving.” In contrast, daughter Nariyah cannot wait to enter the workforce, saying, “I’m excited to be able to make money so that we can obviously help Mom.”

Meaningful Moments

Makai, the youngest of the octuplets, expressed his desire to give back to Suleman when they are financially stable. He told her, “In the future, when we have money of our own, then we could get gifts, real gifts for you.” Suleman responded by emphasizing her preference for heartfelt gestures over material gifts, stating, “I don’t really want real gifts. I don’t like the materialism. I love the letters you write.”

The family’s journey, filled with lessons of love, structure, and ethical values, highlights the complexities of raising such a large family in today’s world. Suleman continues to embrace her role as a mother and standout figure in the public eye while striving to cultivate an environment of kindness and resilience among her children.

As Suleman’s story unfolds, viewers can catch insights into her life and parenting journey on the show “Confessions of Octomom,” airing on Lifetime on March 10. This show promises to offer a deeper look into the life of a mother working tirelessly to provide for her children while adhering to her values and experiences.