London , England ( CNN ) -- When Nadya Suleman gave birth to octuplets in January 2009 the news was greeted with amazement around the world . But astonishment soon gave way to criticism directed at her -- it was revealed that she was already a mother to six children -- and over the ethics of fertility treatment . So far she has weathered the storm and soon her eight babies will be celebrating their first birthday . But how on earth does she cope ? `` The children sleep all night , '' she told CNN 's Max Foster . `` They sleep maybe from 7.30pm to 5am , but there are not enough hours in the day . '' Caring for octuplets -- six boys and two girls -- poses a unique economic challenge for the 34-year-old mother of 14 who has also been criticized for being jobless . `` It 's a challenge . It 's a double-edged sword . I 'm damned if I work and I 'm damned if I do n't . I ca n't work a nine-to-five job because that 's not going to be enough income to support the kids . I 'm trying to secure what I can . '' Suleman says trying to manage the domestic budget is like `` a revolving door of expenses . Every dollar that comes in goes on the kids . '' `` Octomom '' -- as she has been dubbed by the media -- does have some help with the child-rearing from three helpers , one of which is dedicated to looking after her child who has autism . Inevitably , it is impossible for her to give each child the attention they deserve . `` It would be impossible for a couple . You just try and do the best you can . You try and have special time with each child -- putting them to bed , telling them a story , asking them about their day -- as long as they get alone time and it 's quality . I 'd love to give them quantity but that 's virtually impossible . '' Despite her experience with fertility treatment Suleman is reluctant for across the board limits on the number of embryos that can be implanted during IVF treatment . `` Every case is subjective , every woman responds differently , '' Suleman said . `` Given my past reproductive history my doctor did n't make any kind of mistake , he was guided by what was successful in the past . So only a certain amount of embryos were transferred -- the same amount when I had my twins . The last thing anyone imagined was more than one or two growing . '' Although the burden of raising 14 children is obvious , Suleman is reluctant to jump into a relationship . She is n't in a rush to find a male role model for her children . `` I believe I do not have to put myself out there . I do not have to date . I feel the missing piece of the puzzle will be placed naturally when the time is right . I do n't see the point in going out and wasting precious time and energy that I need for my kids . '' Suleman is currently documenting the experiences of the past year in a book and despite the constant sniping from the media she still manages to reflect positively on the past 12 months . I 've definitely grown more in the past eleven months than I have in the past 34 years . I personally believe everything happens for a reason and I 've learnt how strong I am . It 's a choice who you let into your life and who you are going to allow to affect you psychologically or emotionally . I 've learned how to maintain boundaries and how to grow as a result of some extraordinarily challenging situations . ''
Max Foster , mother of ocpuplets speaks to Suleman past 11 months . Octomom -- as she has been dubbed -- says shes damned if she does or does n't work . Single mother says shes grown more in about her amazing year than in her whole life .