Growing up in a big immediate family is a struggle and a half. But at the end of the day, we're thankful for the hectic chaos that is our lives. If you didn't grow up in a large family, allow me to shed some light on the experience. If you did, sit back and enjoy the memories/reminders of being in a large family.
1. You're used to a long wait when you eat out.
Eat out with the whole family is such a rarity that you don't mind waiting the extra 20 minutes for a bigger table. No one had to cook or clean up from dinner tonight -- we'll deal.
2. It takes 10 times longer to get everyone out the door.
Even if you allow for extra time, you still end up being late because someone couldn't find their left shoe.
3. You play "nose goes" with your parents to see who has to go grocery shopping.
No one likes to grocery shop, but doing the shopping for a large family is a hell no one wants to experience. If one of the older kids (chiefly, one with a driver license) you're put into the draw of whose turn is it to spend two hours in Wal-Mart. However it works out, someone from your family seems to be there about three times a week -- on the minimum.
4. You learn to do homework at sporting events.
Sister's got a hockey game from 6 to 9 p.m.? Well, OK. Looks like it's algebra at the rink yet again. It always seemed stressful and annoying that you had to be there (like come on, Mom, take me home, then come back) but you know it was worth it when you glance up from finding the value of X to see your sister score.
5. If there's laundry, you do it.
I don't know how we acquired so much laundry in two days, either, but it's there. You don't question the obligatory shores like laundry and dishes, you just do them -- whether they're yours to do or not.
6. Communication? Vital.
Does it always happen? No.
"Did you feed the dog?" "No, I thought Carter fed the dog?" "He said Mom did it before she went to work." "I don't think she did... he looks really hungry." "Oh well, just feed him again, I guess."
It's an endless cycle.
7. You've accepted you financial situation.
Hockey, ballet, college tuition, braces, and the new trainers you need for track can all get a little pricey, especially when multiplied by multiple kids in one sport. You've come to terms with the fact that you won't be going on vacations all the time or have the iPhone as soon as it's released and you'll almost always be in someone's hand-me-downs. The more kids, the less money there seems to be... funny how that works. (Unless you decide to make a TV show about the outrageous number of children you have in your family and get bank from said TV show, but that's a different story.)
8. You are never alone.
When you're trying to pee in peace, but get interrupted by someone needing to brush their teeth, the constant presence of other humans can be aggravating. On the other hand, when you want to make a human pyramid in your backyard or are out of toilet paper, you know you've got people to call on.
