Doubling Down With The Derricos
Season 3 TLC (*135) 21:00 Reality
Having one child is already a lot of work for some couples, but having 14 bundles of energy to take care of every day? It seems like an impossible task, but for Deon and Karen Derrico in reality series Doubling Down With The Derricos, it’s just another day at home. “We’ve had four sets of multiples backto-back. I’ve been pregnant six times, and all of my children were naturally conceived,” explains Karen, who is mom to a set of quintuplets, a set of triplets, two sets of twins and two other kids living in Las Vegas.
“It’s an enormous amount of kids to take care of and so many people have asked us how we manage,” says dad Deon. “When they ask what it costs, I tell them straight. You can’t sugarcoat this. $3 000 (R45 000) a month on groceries. But we chose to have a large family and we chose to make sure that we can provide for our large family.” Karen is a stay-at-home educator for the kids, while Deon makes the family’s income as an estate agent with multi-million dollar properties on his books. “It’s hard work, I’m up at like 05:00 and sleep at about 23:00. I love my family and I wouldn’t swap them for anything,” he says.
The Derricos have also faced tough decisions and obstacles during the first two seasons and season 3 will throw a few curveballs their way too. “We’re going to be focussing on starting a new business,” says Deon. “We’re also looking at the possibility of moving to a larger property… on the other side of the country.” Why do they need more space, you ask? “We’re looking in South Carolina as we’re going to be expanding the family – I’m pregnant again,” says Karen.