You might have a large family if …
I saw this list on another site and couldn’t help laughing. Of course, we only have four plus one kids right now, so we must be a small family. Still, most of these really hit home!
You know you’re a big family when…
- …people count the number of your children out loud when you’re in public
- …people ask, “Are they all yours?”
- …you start counting your children when you’re out in public
- …you have at least three bunk beds set up in your home
- …almost everyone you know has less children than you do
- …people say, “Wow! How do you manage?”
- …people ask you, out of the blue, if you are Catholic.
- …you buy your pots and pans in the restaurant supply store
- …supposed “family size” food portions seem awfully small
- …you complain, “Doesn’t anyone make large dining tables anymore?”
- …you outgrow your mini-van
- …you’ve heard “Don’t you know what causes that?” more times than you’d care to remember
- …you’ve forgotten what it’s like to be alone anywhere — even the bathroom
- …your children never run out of playmates among their siblings
- …everything you buy is in bulk
- …people ask, “Don’t you get overwhelmed?”
- …you and your husband can no longer hold each child’s hand while crossing the street
- …it takes a wonderfully long time to hug and kiss everybody
- …one of your children looks wistfully at the newborn and asks you, “Can’t you have another baby really soon? I hardly get to hold this one because everybody else is taking turns.”
- …you realize that few houses are designed with your family in mind
- …people ask you if you’ve ever accidentally left any of your children behind
- …life around your family never seems boring or dull
- …your tent is the largest one in any campground
- …you feel sorry for people with only two children
- …you sometimes wonder what on earth mothers with only two children do with all their spare time
- …whenever you set your dining table, it looks like it used to look when you were expecting lots of company
- …you read a cookbook and joke, “They call these meals? Sounds like a little snack to me.”
- …your gratitude at the abundance of God’s blessing moves you to tears unexpectedly
- …you start thinking of yourself as “rich in children”
- …you secretly think that life in your family might possibly be a much more joyous adventure than life in smaller families
- …you are vastly amused at much modern parenting advice, realizing that it is unnecessary, impossible, impractical, or simply silly to try to apply it in a large family setting
- …it seems as if you pack more stuff going on a short trip than some people pack when moving their entire household
- …your husband sighs happily, “I’ve finally got my dream car”–and it’s a used 12- passenger van!
This one isn’t on there, but I often find myself looking at clothes on the clearance racks. If it’s a good deal, I put it in the cart and think, “Oh, it’ll fit someone!” :D
Also, our home and vehicle are most about functionality and efficiency than luxury!
Anyone else have some to add to this?
November 2nd, 2007 at 2:39 pm
I think your little family is so great. I feel so privileged to know you and your kiddos. We love the ‘practical but not luxurious’ life. Poopy diapers and tater tot breath? Now THAT’S living.
November 2nd, 2007 at 10:16 pm
Heard this one from someone else last weekend…
He suggested to give a name to the new baby…when he 8 year old son says, “Dad, that’s MY name!” They had 12 kids.
December 7th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
OH MY GOSH! My husband and I laughed til we cried at this list. It sounds JUST like things we discuss ALL the time! We have 7 children.
Oh, people always ask us, “Do you have any twins?” As a matter of fact, we do, so I say, “Yes, but only one set.”