After 10 years, new adventures for septuplets

(Mikayla reads newspaper)
“Lucky seven. Iowa mom gives birth to four boys and three girls. Bobbi and Kenny McCaughey and…,” that's me! “Daughter Mikayla.”

In 1997, she was the first child in the world to have four brothers and three sisters land in her lap all at once. 

(from year one)
Ann Curry: Now which one is this one?
Mikayla: Kelsey.

Back then, a prominent child psychologist predicted Mikayla's normal life was over and warned that she would feel jealous, left out, and very lonely.  But Bobbi and Kenny have been determined to make their eldest daughter feel as important as everybody else.

(from year three)
Bobbi: Mikayla gets to do much more with Kenny and I on an individual basis than the rest of the kids do.

By second grade, she had her mother to herself for home schooling. Bobbi had planned to teach the septuplets, too, but realized it might be good for everyone to spend some time apart.

So the kids have been split among several classrooms from preschool on up. Bobbi continued teaching Mikayla until the fourth grade, when she asked to try public school. Much as she liked it, she missed her mom and returned home for a couple of years.

Now in junior high, Mikayla is back in the classroom.  Her goal, at age 11, is to get the science and math education she needs to become a nurse. She is content here, despite pangs of separation from her mother.

Mikayla: We have a lot in common and we're just really close.
Ann Curry: Why does that mean so much to you?
Mikayla: You know, because some people don’t even have a mom to love them. 
Ann Curry: Are you crying because you miss her? Or are you crying because you love her?
Mikayla: Because I love her. Because she's taken me through everything I’ve been through in my life. And she's just always been there for me.
Ann Curry: And even with all these babies, did you feel that she left you?
Mikayla: Never.
Ann Curry: Never. Why?
Mikayla: It's because even with them, she's, you know, paid attention to me and given me equal amounts of attention. She loves me as much as she loves them.

As for Mikayla’s relationship with her siblings...

Mikayla: "Go on Kelsey!"

At four, she had her favorites.

(from year four)
Mikayla: I only like to take care of my sisters.
Ann Curry: Why?
Mikayla: Not my brothers.
Ann Curry: Why?
Mikayla: Because they keep -- all of them keep pulling my hair.

When they were four and she was six, they made better playmates -- although Mikayla had one major complaint.

(from year five)
Mikayla: I wish I only had a big sister.
Ann Curry: Why?
Mikayla: Big sisters don't get into my room and stuff.

Natalie: Mikayla can I have this?
Mikayla: No.
Natalie: Please?

Five years later, she is still campaigning for privacy. 

Ann Curry: Do you ever wish that you didn't have septuplets in your family?
Mikayla: Sometimes, when they -- get in my room and stuff like that, when they're really annoying. But I’m glad I have all seven of them.
Ann Curry: How do you say being the older sister has affected your life?
Mikayla: My mom and dad do most of the work. But it gives me more responsibility because now I’m practically their only babysitter.
Ann Curry: Do you think it's too much pressure?
Mikayla: No, not at all.
Ann Curry: Do you feel that you're helping your mom raise these babies?
Mikayla: Sometimes. And sometimes I just feel like I’m letting her do all the work.
Ann Curry: Do you feel a little guilty about it?
Mikayla: Yeah.

The McCaughey’s say they have never wanted her to feel like a parent and have encouraged her to be a kid.

Video   Mikayla's squid challenge While on vacation in Spain, the McCaugheys were introduced to paella -- a traditional Spanish dish. Mikayla was offered $5 to eat squid. Find out if she took the deal. Dateline NBC

Yet even with plenty of after-school activities and her own friends -- Mikayla remains loyal to her home team.

She stood by her nervous little sisters during a girls' rite of passage...

(Kelsey, Natalie, Alexis getting ears pierced)
Mikayla: It's not that bad... Now she's happy!

Mikayla has developed a tremendous empathy for Alexis.

Ann Curry: It's hard to see her not walk.
Mikayla: (crying) I wish I could take her place.

If Mikayla has grown closer to her siblings, Bobbi and Kenny are more tightly knit, too, after 15 years of marriage.

Ann Curry: You've been through a lot of stuff that could break up marriages.
Kenny: Oh sure, our perspective on that it's the hard times that bring you closer together. They're meant by God to strengthen, not divide.

Once a week, the entire family attends Bible study.  At times, it has provided marital guidance.

Bobbi: Throughout the past ten years, we've had some courses that were taught at Bible study. And you know he did the exemplary husband and I did the excellent wife. And they were courses based on putting the other person first. Most marriages don't make it because it gets focused on your self. Contrary to what the t-shirts say, it's not all about me.
Ann Curry: So you've become hand in glove.
Bobbi: We'd had to be more of a team because -- you know, we're outnumbered. Four to one. (laughter)

They also band together to support the family. Some days, Bobbi pitches in on the assembly line where Kenny powder coats metal parts.  He appreciates the steady paycheck and health insurance, after stints as a stay-at-home dad and public speaker.

The sale of family photos to the media and occasional speaking engagements boosts their income.

Extravagant donations have eased the financial burden.  Among the baby gifts:  furnishings for the free house, a 10 passenger van, and, for many years, a generous supply of clothing and food.

Early on, they agreed to a few commercial projects, but have long vowed not to exploit the children.  Wes Yoder, president of Ambassador Agency, has helped the McCaughey’s achieve their goals.

Wes Yoder: To make decisions that were good for the marriage, that were good for the children and that it had integrity and honored God. Those three things have been our guiding principles from the very beginning.

After ten years in the spotlight, Bobbi and Kenny are still reluctant celebrities.  But they have allowed Dateline to document their family's life with the hope that it will be a testament to their enduring faith, love, and gratitude.

Bobbi: We didn't feel right about saying “Thanks for all your prayer and support, but you're never going to see us.”  So in many respects, this is like a thank you. And here's a little peek at what our life is like now.
Ann Curry: What would be the thing you wish you could have told yourself, based on what you know now, to who you were 10 years ago?
Kenny: I would say, don’t worry, it's going to be better than you think.
Bobbi: I was just thinking when you said that. “This too shall pass.” There's no stage in your life that's permanent and --  it really wasn't that bad. And it really didn't last that long … I really can't wait to see where the next 10 years takes us.

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