Gotta chime in here on the “big family” discussion.

My ex-husbands sister has fifteen children… none of them twins or multiples.

They live in a part of Texas were large families like this are still fairly common.

She served in the Navy, and she knows how to run a tight ship. The children are all beautiful… clean, nicely dressed, well fed and well cared for. She sews clothing for her kids, and homeschools all of them.

Dad works three jobs to feed everyone, pay the bills and pay the extra expenses of extracurricular activites, music lessons, band, etc. (they all play musical instruments). He’s happy to do it, because his children are a blessing to him. They don’t accept public assistance of any kind, and never have.

The oldest kids help the youngest, sure…but mom is always in charge. Her home is usually in a state of organized chaos, but she thrives on it. The kids are all great students, very happy and active in extracurricular activites and volunteer work out in the community - something that both of their parents encourage.

They are a big, happy, healthy family due to the hard work and love of both mom and dad, and it’s an amazing thing to watch these two exemplary parents in action.

A big family? Yes.
Dysfunctional? No.