‘Our family has blossomed since we married at 18 but we might stop at eight kids’

Being parents of eight is a dream come true for the Kings. Aimee and Daniel met when as young teenagers at Graeme High, Falkirk, and have been inseparable since.

“I was just 13 and met Daniel through his sister and it was love at first sight for us both,” said Aimee. “Our first child was born when I was 16 and then another and we married at 18. Since then, our family just blossomed but I think we might stop at eight. Watching Corey fight for his life really brought home to us how lucky we were and that eight was a perfect number of children.”

King’s pet hate is people asking why they have a big family. “People can be intrusive and ask if the children were planned but I just smile and tell them how happy we are.”

Hard work, homework and a determination to see the children achieve their potential combine to form the glue that holds the family together.

“Our eldest, Robbie, 14, wants to follow Daniel into the army. Lucas, 13, would like to be an aerospace engineer. Kerr, 11, is keen to join the RAF. Eilidh, 10, is desperate to be an estate agent. Sofia, eight, wants to be a stock market trader, a trait she has taken from watching Daniel check investments he has made.

“Emily, six, loves computing and learning to code. Poppy, three, and Corey are too wee to want anything other than another ice cream.”

With a house full of children, time off for mum is a quiet time wandering round the local shops on her own.

“Daniel tells me to go out and wander for some time on my own,” she says. “Sitting in the car on my own with a bar of chocolate and a soft drink while watching the world go by, is a small but great chill.”