I ENJOYED the article about Sarah and Steve Perry who have ten children between them - but I can't decide whether they should be congratulated or pitied (Ten of the best, October 29).

Although they are obviously doing a tremendous job bringing up all those kids without any outside help, they never seem to get any time to themselves.

As a mother of two grown-up girls I think Sarah and Steve deserve a medal 'the size of the town hall clock' for staying sane if nothing else.

My eldest is 35 and I'm sure I'm still suffering post-natal depression! The thought of seven shrieking kids turns my blood to ice -- my biggest nightmare is that I may be reincarnated as a nursery school teacher, but Sarah seems to take it all in her stride.

Presumably if one of her brood catches measles or chickenpox they all will and what about the rebellious teenage years yet to come?

Sarah and Steve, I wouldn't swap places with you for all the tea in China, but I wish you all the luck in the world.

Ella Hirst,

Coggan Close,

South Bank, York.

Updated: 09:44 Saturday, November 02, 2002