If you're like me and you come from a fairly large family with an insane amount of aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins, first cousins once removed etc., you can definitely relate to the big family "struggle."
Not sure if this applies to you? Here are 10 signs that you come from a big family.
1. People never believe you when you tell them how many aunts and uncles you have.
When I tell people that my dad is one of 10 and that my mom is one of six they almost always think I’m joking. I’m not. I have nearly 30 aunts and uncles between both of my parents and it’s the best thing ever.
2. Your generations are crossed.
Chances are, if you’re from a large family your cousins' kids might be older than you. Growing up and trying to figure out “first cousins once removed,” “second cousins,” and the like was a nightmare. You may still be confused as to how you’re related to certain people (I am).
3. Major family drama is unavoidable.
Any time you get 10 or more people together, there’s bound to be an argument or two, or maybe just some “friendly” competition. Well, try getting more than 30 people together and having everything go completely smoothly (hint: it’s not possible). Someone is bound to make a snarky comment or two and then, like dominos, everyone gets involved. The good thing is, you’re family, you love each other, and you always get over it.
4. Reunions and weddings are SO much better.
Drunks aunts dancing on the dance floor? Countless kiddos running wild? Nothing beats reunions and weddings with big families. Fifty plus people with matching T-shirts is definitely a sight to see, and let’s not forget the family wedding photos that look more like graduation class photos with the amount of people trying to fit in the frame.
5. You have more cousins than you can keep track of.
I genuinely can't count up all of my cousins. No matter how many times I try, I count someone twice, or forget someone. My estimation? Somewhere around 70, but who really knows (not me).
6. Someone is always pregnant.
Enough said.
7. Outsiders consistently get you confused.
"Are you so-and-so's daughter?" "No, I'm her sister's daughter." If I had a dollar for every time I visited my parents' hometowns and got mistaken for my aunts' or uncles' daughter, I'd have enough money to share with my whole family.
8. Family game night is intense.
I don't know about you, but I come from two very, very competitive families. Game night involves lots of yelling, constant objections, and sometimes family feuds that last days, weeks, even months. Did I mention we're pretty competitive?
9. Don't even think about trying to remember everyone's birthdays.
The mere fact that I remember my own birthday, my parents', my sister's, and my niece's and nephew's is a miracle. After that, there's no way I could keep track of all those numbers. There's at least one birthday in my family every week of the year. Thank God for Facebook birthday reminders, am I right?
10. No matter what, you basically have an entire community looking out for you.
There's always someone to talk to, ask for advice, and hang out with. Everyone looks out for everyone and family comes first.
Despite the stress of keeping track of relations, counting everyone, and game nights, having a big family really is such a blessing. It's a pain to introduce everyone, and bringing new people into the whirlwind of my family is insane, but I wouldn't want to do it any other way.
