KID YOU NOT
Parents-of-22 Sue and Noel Radford at breaking point over son Josh, 14, after teen lands himself in hot water at school
BRITAIN’S biggest family were back on our TV screens tonight, with the fifth episode of the third series of their hit show, 22 Kids & Counting.
Sue Radford and her husband Noel, have 22 children, nine grand-children and six dogs.
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Last year the family had their busiest year to date, but this year is sure to be full of more challenges and tribulations.
In their new series they’re facing a wave of super-sized family dramas, unlike anything they’ve ever experienced before.
In tonight’s episode, episode five, parents-of-22 found themselves in the danger zone, as it was time for an intervention for their 14-year-old Josh.
There was crisis and meltdowns in the Radford house and it became clear that even seasoned parents like Noel and Sue can find the teenage years a challenge.
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Whilst at work, Noel got a telephone call from the school - with Josh in trouble.
Noel explained: “When I’m at work and I see a no caller ID, I just think ‘what has Josh done now?’ and it’s generally ‘we're having to put Josh in impact’ so they go to a room and they are sat on their own, learning on their own.”
Sue added: “The thing that worries me the most about him going to impact is that he’s rubbing shoulders with the wrong crowd.”
Noel replied: “I’m worried that he’ll get mixed in with the wrong group of kids, out of school and they’re going off doing things they shouldn’t be doing.
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“I worry about him getting into drugs and knife crime and stuff like that.”
To which Sue noted: “It’s a slippery slope isn’t it.
Sue and Noel decided to chat to Josh, as Noel explained to him: “We’re getting quite worried that you’re being influenced by friends and stuff like that.”
Sue chimed in: “I’m just worried that you’re getting influenced by the wrong people and you need to start knuckling down and thinking about where you’re going in life.”
But things went from bad to worse when Josh’s behaviour resulted in Noel being called into school.
Noel and Sue decided to act and to give Josh a confidence boost to get him back on track they hatched a plan.
Noel added: “I’m worried he’s going to get into trouble and we need to sort it out now before it’s too late.”
Sue admitted: “I’ve never been as worried about any of our kids as I am about Josh at the minute.
“When kids are low in confidence, the key is to get them out there, get them to explore new things.”
Noel and Sue decided to take Josh and the family on an adventure trip to the Ardeche Gorge in France.
Amid the white-water thrills and extreme camping Noel and Josh found time for some father son bonding.
The pair had a heart-to-heart and Noel explained: “You've got to knuckle down and get your education, rather than dossing about.
“There’s two paths in life, you can go the right way or the wrong way.
“The wrong way seems more of a laugh, but you’ve got your whole life ahead of you and it’s not always going to be like that.
“Make the right choices while you’re young and everything will be better when you’re older.”
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Josh then explained: “I’ve started to realise how much we rely on our dad.
“I think it’ll be a good thing if I grow up to be like my dad.”
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