When Jeni first met her husband, Ray, she was convinced of one thing—she never wanted children. Ray, on the other hand, dreamed of having at least four. Fast forward over 30 years, and the couple from Toowoomba, Queensland, now have 16 children and two grandchildren.
Grocery Bills and Daily Life in a Family of 18
Raising such a large family is no small feat. Jeni spends $600 a week on groceries, a budget that has recently increased due to inflation. Their weekly shopping list includes 50 liters of milk, 14 boxes of cereal, 45 tubs of yogurt, and four dozen eggs—and that’s just the basics.
With eight kids still living at home, their daily routine is carefully structured. Between school drop-offs, part-time jobs, and sports, life is a juggling act. “I used to think life was busy with little kids,” Jeni says, “but I’m certainly busier now with older children.”
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Chaos, Chores, and Keeping Everyone Involved
Even the simple task of taking a family photo is a challenge. “You need an extra-wide lens, and there’s always someone looking away or pulling a funny face,” Jeni laughs. But for the Bonells, those imperfect moments are what make family life fun.
To keep the household running smoothly, Jeni uses a roster system for chores. “When a kid turns eight, they get put on the roster,” she explains. From sweeping floors to setting the table, everyone has a role to play. The kids also learn to cook early—by age 12, they can prepare meals for 20 people with minimal supervision.
Laundry is another massive task. Jeni runs three full loads of laundry daily, totaling about six average-sized loads. Even grocery shopping requires two full trolleys, with one of the kids always tagging along to help.
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