Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman’s World as a Mom of 14 Kids

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

As I delve into this heartwarming collection of images depicting the Suleman family, I find myself in awe of their resilience and the love that binds them together. Nadya, the matriarch, has certainly navigated uncharted waters, raising not just one or two, but eight children at once! Her journey is a testament to the power of motherhood and the indomitable human spirit.


Nadya Suleman didn’t intend to have eight more children, bringing her grand total to 14.

However, when another attempt at in vitro fertilization led to the birth of octuplets on January 26, 2009, making her the world’s first known mother of surviving octuplets and earning her the nickname “Octomom“, the mindset within her household became one of abundance and welcoming more.

Apart from Noah (age 15), Maliyah, Isaiah, Nariyah, Makai, Josiah, Jeremiah, and Jonah (all of them), she is also the mother of Elijah (23 years old), Amerah (22 years old), Joshua (21 years old), Aidan (18 years old), as well as 17-year-old twins Caleb and Calyssa. All her children were conceived via In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).

Not only is she part of the illustrious eighth grade at school, but recently there’s been an exciting addition to her family lineage – Joshua welcomed a newborn on August 30th.

Natalie Suleman, aged 49, expressed her gratitude towards her son and daughter-in-law in a post dated September 22, alongside a photo of an infant under a pink blanket. The caption read, “We’re incredibly grateful for this wonderful gift bestowed upon us! This baby girl is already deeply cherished by our family, and we eagerly anticipate her growth!

Despite labeling herself as “octoMOM” in her Instagram profile, her family photos exhibit typical everyday moments – birthdays, holidays, school days, girl’s nights out, gym workouts, etc., which is remarkably different from her initial fame as a viral sensation. This change has made her a frequent subject of criticism and close observation.

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

In 2010, she explained to Oprah Winfrey that she isn’t a genuine celebrity. Instead, she became known as a sort of pseudo-celebrity, thrust into the limelight unwillingly and amidst a media frenzy. She admitted that she never wanted this fame and initially thought she could avoid it, but unfortunately, she was wrong.

Oprah noted being skeptical before agreeing to interview the seemingly attention-hungry mom.

Instead, Nadya emphasized that the drive for her numerous ventures, including displaying her post-pregnancy physique in a swimsuit, stemmed from providing for “14 hungry mouths.

During her remote interview, Oprah’s cameras showcased a typical day at home for her and her 14 children, along with their three daytime caregivers.

In a 2010 television segment, Oprah mentioned that she spends approximately $1,000 weekly on groceries. This was highlighted as Nadya’s eight 12-month-old children were shown eating at a specially designed table with integrated high chairs. (On average, they consume around 21 dozens of eggs and 20 gallons of milk in a regular week.)

“It’s a huge family,” Nadya acknowledged, adding with a laugh, “a ridiculously huge family.”

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

She explained that she had numerous motivations for not limiting herself to six children, mentioning factors such as personal self-interest and attempting to make up for having been an only child as potential influences on her choice to continue expanding her family.

The same doctor who had handled all her earlier In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) procedures inserted six leftover embryos from the batch that resulted in her twins initially, and subsequently added another six when she claimed he informed her that the first six hadn’t succeeded.

In simpler terms, she admitted to perhaps mistakenly seeking validation from others instead of within herself. She craved connection, and found it more comforting with children than with a romantic partner, as children seemed more reliable. (She got married to Marcos Gutierrez in 1996 but they separated in 2000. After the octuplets were born, Marcos, who filed for divorce in 2006, told Inside Edition that while he wasn’t their biological father, he wished her well. He described his ex as a wonderful person with a kind heart.)

Instead of having much personal time, she admitted that she often found ways to stay composed, like taking deep breaths regularly and maintaining a strong bond with her children, as shared with Oprah.

Following her dependence on government aid, she temporarily worked as an exotic dancer and starred in an adult film titled “Octomom Home Alone”, which won Best Celebrity Video at the 2012 AVN Awards. However, she remained firm on her promise not to participate in a reality show with her children. In an interview with DailyMail.com in 2016, she admitted that she used pornography and stripping to protect her kids from being filmed.

After the initial intense curiosity about her lifestyle decisions subsided, nevertheless, Nadya found herself not in obscurity but rather deeply engrossed in the constant, around-the-clock duties of caring for her 14 children.

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

She shared with DailyMail.com that people may believe she received numerous donations and aid, but this isn’t true. Instead, she handled everything herself and covered all expenses, which is why she was known as Octomom for four years. The final two years were extremely challenging; she found herself spiraling down a very dark and destructive path.

She acknowledged that she’d undergone some cosmetic surgeries, “However, it’s far less than what the media has speculated,” she clarified. “I opted for a breast augmentation following the birth of three children, as I was earning and saving up for it myself. Later, after giving birth to octuplets, I agreed to undergo a tummy tuck only after a publication offered me $100,000 in exchange for posing nude.

As a die-hard fan, I’d like to clarify something: Contrary to some rumors, I admit to getting lip enhancements in 2008 that, quite honestly, didn’t sit well with me. I even went under the needle again in 2009, but only because a popular media outlet compensated me for it. However, beyond those two instances, I can assure you that my face is all-natural and untouched by cosmetic surgery.

Regardless of the challenges she faced, she maintained her resilience for her children, sharing candidly: “My children are aware of my past as Octomom. I’ve been honest with them about my mistakes, which I consider both terrible and embarrassing. Yet, they respond with understanding: ‘It doesn’t matter, Mom, we still love you and always will.

I expressed, “I made this move with their best interests in mind. Our discussions aren’t just casual chats, they delve into profound and intellectual topics. They are remarkably intelligent and keenly perceptive.

As a die-hard fan, I can proudly say that this remarkable woman hailing from Fullerton, California, held a bachelor’s degree in the field of child development. By then, she had already established herself as a dedicated family counselor, pouring her heart and soul into helping families navigate their challenges.

Each day for her began at 5 o’clock in the morning, with four stops on her school commute. Afterward, she went to work, picked up the children in the afternoon, prepared dinner, divided bathing duties for the younger ones, and usually got to bed around midnight. Her weekly luxury was a two-hour nap.

In the year 2016, she transitioned to a vegan lifestyle and inspired her children to follow suit. On Instagram, she expressed that her decision was driven by a desire to raise them with awareness towards all living creatures and compassion for sentient beings. Instead of celebrating Thanksgiving, she now recognizes it as Native American Heritage Day. A peek at her Native American Heritage Day dinner in 2023, prepared by the team of chefs Jonah, Nariyah, Noah, and Jeremiah, revealed a table devoid of meat.

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

Later on, she asserted that she had never been ill, attributing her good health to a balanced diet and regular exercise. She might have had a hoarse voice, but when speaking with the New York Times in 2018, she explained, “I believe it’s due to talking loudly and shouting for what seems like the past 18 years. I have fourteen children!

Initially, Nadya revealed back when she became a public figure that Aidan was autistic. However, in August 2019, she disclosed that his needs had escalated to the point where he now requires constant care.

She shared on Instagram that he is unable to communicate verbally, needs feeding, changing, bathing, and constant supervision due to lack of safety awareness as he might wander into traffic. As his mother, I have always been his sole caregiver; this responsibility consumes my life, alongside managing 13 other children on my own. My kids are the essence of my existence.

More recently she shared that fitness had become a family affair.

She shared on Instagram in June 2023, “People have been asking me for years how I manage to stay physically fit and mentally balanced amidst a hectic lifestyle with a large family. My secret? Weight lifting has been my go-to strategy for dealing with stress constructively for more than three decades.

She aimed to alleviate recurring back pain and pregnancy-related physical discomfort by engaging in strength training exercises for about three to four days each week, and cycling on a stationary bike for approximately an hour, four to five times a week.

She mentioned with pleasure that her children share her active lifestyle. In fact, her eldest three are into weight training, a practice they do more often and with heavier weights than she does herself.

Elijah outpaced her at the gym, and they’ve been there ever since, with Elijah advising her to use more weight and correct form, which in turn has boosted both their strength and gym performance.

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

While she honors her older children’s preferences by not sharing their photos publicly, as demonstrated when she posted a picture of the octuplets starting eighth grade, they had asked her to keep their individual first-day moments private and only share them within the family.

Much like any mother, whether she has one child, twelve or more, she cherishes capturing and preserving significant moments through heartwarming pictures, often revisiting old ones taken during her children’s younger years.

On Elijah’s 21st birthday in May 2022, she referred to her eldest child as one of the most sincere, authentic, caring, and affectionate individuals that she was acquainted with.

In July 2022, marking Amerah’s 20th birthday, she penned, “It seems just like yesterday when you’d pretend to be a princess. Now, you’ve become a queen in every sense. I can’t express the depth of my love for you and stand by you through all your endeavors. You are intelligent, resilient, sincere, affectionate, caring, and not only my daughter but also my dearest friend.

On their 16th birthday in October 2022, she praised her son for maturing into a thoughtful, caring, brilliant, humorous, sharp-witted, insightful, and devoted young man. Meanwhile, his twin sister was described as a considerate, loving, empathetic (towards all living beings), intelligent, attractive young lady, also gifted in writing and art.

On August 20th, as we celebrated Joshua turning 21, she couldn’t help but express how he is intelligent, witty, diligent, reliable, modest, and now a loving spouse-to-be and future father.

And, she quipped, “Maybe one day you’ll allow me to actually share an updated picture.”

Despite the fact that they have fourteen kids, there’s never a shortage of precious family memories captured on camera. Continue reading to enjoy even more of these delightful images.

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

Reminiscing about a time when her octuplets were newborns and her six older children could manage staying put for around eight seconds.

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

Gap ad in the heyday of khakis or a flashback to Christmas 2012?

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

Mom marked twins Caleb and Calyssa’s 16th birthday in 2023 with this adorable throwback pic.

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

Getting eight children to line up and smile for a pic sounds like a Christmas miracle to us.

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

The Sulemans are a cat family, so Maliyah took the opportunity to do some dog-sitting.

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

Nadya shared a recently taken, uncommon photo of her eldest son, Elijah, on her social media platform as a tribute for his 21st birthday in the year 2022.

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

Occasionally, managing a household with many children can be similar to overseeing a bustling zoo, as Nadya subtly hinted when she extended her birthday wishes to Noah, Maliyah, Isaiah, Nariyah, Jeremiah, Jonah, Josiah and Makai on their 12th birthday.

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

Showing off a cat and crafts on the couch.

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

Nadya’s eldest daughter Amerah got her 21st birthday picture all to herself.

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

In 2023, it was Jonah, Nariyah, Noah, and Jeremiah who oversaw the preparation of the vegan meal for the family on Native American Cultural Celebration Day.

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

Mom took Amerah and Calyssa out for ramen (vegan, of course) in August 2023.

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

The family loves their fur babies too.

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

Eight was enough for this family photo in March 2022.

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

In this old photo that their mother posted, Joshua, adorned with a short-term facial tattoo, along with his elder brother Eli, were preparing for takeoff.

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

Maliyah and Nariyah were a coordinated sister act.

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

Noah and Jonah got ready to dig in.

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

2022 found Nadya surrounded by companionship on Mother’s Day, as she celebrated the occasion alongside her octuplets and elder daughter, Amerah.

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

In lieu of 48 candles, the kids brought balloons for their mom’s birthday.

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

The Suleman octuplets enjoyed baked goods on their 14th birthday.

Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's World as a Mom of 14 Kids

While her kids smiled for the camera, Mom snuck in a wish on her 49th birthday in 2024.

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2024-09-24 02:19