I guess I can only comment based on things I've read, rather than knowing them, so I could be completely wrong...It seems as though the older siblings do a fair bit of the "parenting" of their younger siblings. I can imagine this would have to be the case with so many children, but I can't help thinking that when I become a mother, I would like to be the one mothering them, rather than my older children looking after the younger children. Nothing wrong with looking out for your siblings, but being responsible for them day in day out seems a little sad.

If it works for them, then good on them....It's just not for me