This is to all the kids who grew up in a larger-than-average family. I'm talking more than four kids. I grew up as one of seven children where nothing was ever simple or boring. Things are always a little crazier, but always a lot more fun.
1. Waiting a really long time to get a table at restaurants
"How many?"
"Nine."
"Okay, that'll be about an hour wait." I'm sure this sounds really familiar to those part of a big family.
2. Family meetings
I know, many families have "family meetings," but when we have family meetings in the Claibourn household, they are...well, really interesting, and much more complicated when you have nine different opinions being shared.
3. Making family plans is extremely difficult
This kind of goes along with the family meetings. When trying to make plans, it seems that everybody has something that they have to do or somewhere to go. Especially as we all get older, we all know it only gets worse.
4. Laundry
Yeah, this one kind of speaks for itself. Even when we try assigning days for everyone, it always seems like a mad dash for the washer.
5. The stylish, sleek 12-passenger van
Yep. That's what I learned to drive on. So I'm basically superwoman.
6. The questions
"So, are y'all trying to beat the Duggars?"
"Why did your mom want so many kids?"
7. The jokes
"Hey y'all have your own 7x7 football team."
8. Your siblings are your best friends
My siblings are my built-in best friends, and I genuinely pity those who don't have this luxury. We do almost everything together and speak in quotes fluently.
9. Everything is much more expensive
Getting ice cream, eating out, ice skating, Six-Flags, water parks, vacation, shopping, concerts, or basically anything that isn't free is much more expensive with nine people.
10. People's reactions when you tell them the size of your family
"I'm actually one of seven siblings."
"Wait, did you say you have six brothers and sisters?! Bless your mom's heart."
Um, thanks, I guess? If you really want to surprise them, tell them you actually really love being a part of a large family.
11. The interesting looks you get in public
I think it's just jealousy because we are having so much fun.
12. Being compared to the Von Trapps
Everybody in my family sings, so we'll sing together on occasion. Inevitably, we get called the Von Trapp family singers all the time. But hey, is that really so bad?
Whether you have five or 15 siblings, you know that life is a little crazier than most people's, but know that it's not a burden, but a blessing! Having a large family is looked upon as difficult, inefficient, or not economical (what?), but I strongly disagree. It makes my life more exciting and I wouldn't trade my big family for the world.
