When Jeni first met her husband Ray, she was really sure about one thing — she didn’t want to have kids at all.
“Ray dreamed of having at least four kids. I thought that was wild. Seriously, who has that many kids?” Jeni shared with Mamamia.
Fast forward more than thirty years, and they are now the happy parents of 16 children.
$600 every week on groceries
The Bonell family is quite a sight to see, especially if you’re from Australia. When I first learned about them, I was totally surprised!
Living in Queensland’s Toowoomba, Jeni and Ray Bonell are raising a huge family of 16 kids, which is definitely not your average life. They have figured out how to handle the craziness of everyday life while keeping things fun and lighthearted.
Their family includes nine boys and seven girls: Jesse, 35, Brooke, 34, Claire, 31, Natalie, 30, Karl, 28, Samuel, 26, Cameron, 25, Sabrina, 24, Tim, 22, Brandon, 20, Eve, 19, Nate, 17, Rachel, 16, Eric, 15, Damian, 14, and Katelyn, 10.
Comedian Jim Gaffigan once made a funny comment about having a fourth kid, saying, “Imagine you’re drowning, then someone hands you a baby.” So, what’s it like for the Bonells with sixteen kids?
Jeni, the mom, spends an incredible $600 a week just to keep their kitchen stocked. With prices going up, that amount has increased by $50. Feeding a family of 18, with 8 kids still at home, is no small task!
Their grocery list is truly something else: 17 three-litre bottles of milk, 14 boxes of cereal, 45 tubs of yogurt, and an amazing four dozen eggs.
Jeni shares, “We go through 50 litres of milk each week and one to two loaves of bread every day.”
Getting a good family photo is difficult
It’s a real challenge for anyone, but for the Bonell family, it’s just how they live their lives. Their home is like a well-rehearsed dance.
“Getting a nice family picture is tough,” Jeni says with a chuckle. “You need a super wide lens, and there’s always someone not looking, making a silly face, or with their eyes shut. But we love those little moments in the photos. They might not be perfect, but that’s what makes it fun.”
With 16 kids, taking pictures is just one part of the crazy daily life they lead.
Think about having 16 kids, a full-time job, part-time jobs, and managing a household. That’s what Jeni and Ray deal with every day.
“I thought life was busy when the kids were little,” Jeni shares, “but now that they’re older, it’s even crazier.” With three different schools to manage, sports, part-time jobs, and the older kids’ homework, it’s a real balancing act. Still, Jeni wouldn’t change a thing. “Life is super busy – but it’s great.”
Their evening routine shows exactly how the Bonell family works together. “Imagine a regular-sized family and multiply it by eight, and that’s what our evenings are like,” Jeni laughs.
Stretching every dollar
Some nights are complete mayhem, while other nights everything runs smoothly like a perfectly tuned machine. But no matter how the evening goes, one thing stays the same: dinner time. “Dinner is always awesome,” Jeni says. “Some nights we have eight people at the table, and other nights, it’s more than 20!”
The Bonells are experts at making every dollar count. Jeni is famous for her budget-friendly meals that range from $2 to $10. She often shares her grocery shopping experiences on YouTube to help others save money on food.
“It’s tough for everyone right now,” Jeni explains. “We’re all feeling the budget squeeze.” To keep things organized, Jeni uses a chore chart to assign household tasks, ensuring that everyone aged eight and up helps out. The kids learn to cook early on. “Our 12-year-old can prepare a roast dinner for 20 people with hardly any help,” Jeni proudly shares.
The laundry in their house is just as overwhelming. Jeni does three full loads of laundry every day, which is about six regular-sized loads. When it comes to grocery shopping, Jeni fills up two carts each week. “I always need one of the kids to help with the groceries,” she adds.
The Bonell Family religion
The Bonell family has figured out how to manage their money by making some tough choices. Even though they are still paying off their mortgage, they feel the financial strain. Jeni explains, “It’s costly, and we definitely have to adjust our budget.” She adds, “We all have jobs, and we don’t rely on government support. Still, people often criticize us for having so many kids.”
Even though the Bonells are very religious and go to church regularly, Jeni says their big family isn’t just because of their faith.
“God has a unique sense of humor,” Jeni laughs. They don’t regret their decision at all. Ray, who works as an electrician, shares, “It just feels right for us. Everyone has to choose what’s best for them. Having 16 kids isn’t for everyone, but it works for us.”
Even with their busy schedules, Jeni and Ray make sure to spend time together. “Do I get time alone with my wife? Absolutely! We prioritize each other,” Ray says with a grin. “It’s really important to take care of one another.”
Their two oldest kids have moved out and gotten married, which adds a new layer to their family as Jeni and Ray are now grandparents to two little ones. This shows that the Bonell family continues to grow. With every new member, their love, laughter, and togetherness only get stronger.
Inside their roster system
In a family where organization is key, the Bonells have developed a solid routine. From prepping school uniforms and lunches the night before to creating a rotation system for chores, the Bonells make it work.
Jeni explains, “We have a system for chores. When a kid turns eight, they join the roster.” The kids take turns doing tasks like sweeping, mopping, packing up the table, and helping with meal prep.
Jeni also shares some of her favorite snack ideas on YouTube, like air fryer egg cups and air fryer pizza bites. These snacks are easy to make, freeze nicely, and are great for school lunches.
For the Bonell family, teamwork is key. Even with 16 people in the house, love, cooperation, and a good sense of humor help them manage everything.
Whether it’s feeding the kids, keeping the house running, or sneaking in a quick coffee break, the Bonells handle it all with joy.
In the end, the Bonell family shows that with some creativity, good organization, and lots of love, anything is possible. Raising 16 kids is tough, but for Jeni and Ray, it’s just part of their exciting journey.
From sharing budget-friendly meal tips to tackling the never-ending laundry, the Bonells know how to keep things going. Through all the hustle and bustle, they’re building a home filled with memories, laughter, and love. The big takeaway is that family, no matter its size, is always worth it.
