Growing up, large families were the norm in my world. My grandmother was one of ten, my mother one of six, and I’m one of four. But I knew early on that I wanted an even bigger family. I ended up with six children, though I would have had more if money hadn’t been a limitation. These days, it feels like large families are becoming a thing of the past. I look around, and families with four kids seem to be the largest I see. A part of me understands why, but another part of me still longs to meet a mother living a similar life, to bond over the same chaos and love that fills my small home.
It’s hard not to notice how society views large families now. We’re often seen as an anomaly, and sometimes there’s a judgment that comes with it. People assume we’re overwhelmed, chaotic, or that we must be “crazy” to have so many kids in today’s world. In an era where convenience is king, and the cost of living continues to rise, the idea of having more than two or three kids seems impractical to many. But for me, every child adds more love to our home, not more inconvenience. And while it might not fit into the picture-perfect, minimalist lifestyle that’s trending, the abundance of laughter, noise, and togetherness is something I wouldn’t trade for anything.
People often ask, “How do you live with so many kids?” I grew up hearing, “le echas más agua a la sopa”—you just add more water to the soup. It’s a simple phrase, but it carries so much truth. Another saying that resonates with me is “un bebé nace con el pan debajo del brazo”—a baby is born with a loaf of bread under its arm. It speaks to the belief that each child comes with their own blessings, and I’ve seen that play out in my family over and over again.
We live in a modest three-bedroom home with just under 1,700 square feet. Bunk beds are essential around here, and cosleeping is a way of life. Our king-size bed is never empty, always filled with little feet and the occasional late-night chaos. Yes, my grocery bill might give others a heart attack, but that’s life with a big family. We rarely eat out—it’s simply too expensive—and we’re perfectly fine with that. Cooking together has become a cherished family activity. Sure, there are messes, but those messy moments turn into quality time and memories I wouldn’t trade for the world.
Is there drama? Of course! With six kids, it’s a given. But the bond they share is stronger than anything I’ve ever experienced with my own siblings. The chaos is everywhere—sometimes it feels like we’re swimming in it—but I live for it. I birthed this chaos. I chose this life, and I would choose it over and over again.
Our home may not look like something out of a magazine, even though I dream of that perfect decor. That’s just not where we are in life right now, but it doesn’t mean we won’t get there someday. For now, my living room is filled with toys and children tumbling over furniture. We also have two dogs, our beloved additions to the chaos. Our black lab sometimes serves as a pony, and luckily, he’s learned to tune out the noise.
Large family life isn’t for everyone, but it’s definitely for me. Sanity tests and financial struggles aside, this crazy, love-filled life is exactly what I was meant for. And I wouldn’t change a thing.
