When Jeni first met her husband, Ray, she was sure of one thing—she never wanted children. “Ray wanted at least four kids. I thought that was crazy. Like, who has that many children?” Jeni told Mamamia. Yet, more than three decades later, she and Ray are the proud parents of 16 children, making them Australia’s largest family.

Life in the Bonell household is anything but typical. Raising 16 kids requires exceptional organization, patience, and a sense of humor. Based in Toowoomba, Queensland, their large family consists of 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. Managing a household of this size is no small feat, but Jeni and Ray have figured out how to make it work.

With so many mouths to feed, grocery shopping is one of the biggest challenges. Jeni spends about $600 per week just to keep their pantry stocked, and with inflation, that number has climbed by another $50. Even though eight of their children have moved out, keeping the remaining eight well-fed is no easy task. Their weekly grocery list is massive: 17 three-liter bottles of milk, 14 boxes of cereal, 45 tubs of yogurt, and four dozen eggs. “We go through 50 liters of milk each week and one to two loaves of bread every day,” Jeni explains.

Capturing a perfect family photo is nearly impossible. “You need an extra-wide lens, and there’s always someone looking away, pulling a funny face, or with their eyes closed,” Jeni says, laughing. “But we enjoy those little quirks in the photos. They’re not picture-perfect, but that’s part of the fun.”

Beyond family pictures, coordinating everyday life is a full-time job. Between school schedules, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, and managing household responsibilities, Jeni finds herself busier now than when her children were younger. “I used to think life was busy with little kids,” she says. “But I’m certainly busier these days with older children.”

Evenings at the Bonell household are a well-choreographed routine. “Take an average-sized family and multiply it by eight, and that’s what our evening routine is like,” Jeni jokes. Some nights, dinner includes only eight people, while other nights, more than 20 family members gather around the table. No matter how hectic things get, dinner remains a sacred tradition in their home.

Stretching every dollar is essential, and Jeni has mastered the art of budget-friendly meals. She often shares her grocery hauls and meal-planning tips on YouTube to help other families navigate rising food costs. “It’s a struggle for everyone right now,” Jeni admits. “We’re all feeling the pinch in the budget.” To keep things running smoothly, she uses a chore chart to ensure that every child over the age of eight contributes to household responsibilities. “Our 12-year-old can put a roast dinner on for 20 people with almost no supervision,” Jeni proudly shares.

Laundry is another never-ending task. Jeni washes at least three full loads daily—amounting to about six average-sized loads. Grocery shopping is equally demanding, requiring two full carts each week. “I always need one of the kids to help with the load,” she says.

Financially, the Bonells have had to make sacrifices. While they continue to pay off their home mortgage, they carefully budget their expenses. “It’s expensive, and you definitely have to make sacrifices,” Jeni admits. “But we all work, and our family doesn’t live off the taxpayer. Still, we get a lot of criticism for having so many kids.”

Though their large family is deeply rooted in faith, Jeni insists that their decision to have 16 children wasn’t solely influenced by religion. “God has a funny sense of humor,” she says. Despite the challenges, Jeni and Ray have no regrets. “It just feels right for us,” Ray, who works as an electrician, adds. “Having 16 kids isn’t for everyone, but it works for us.”

Despite their packed schedule, Jeni and Ray always find time for each other. “Do I get alone time with my wife? Of course, I do,” Ray says with a smile. “We make time for each other. It’s important to take care of our relationship.”

Their family continues to grow, with two of their older children now married and adding grandchildren to the mix. The Bonell family is proof that love only multiplies with each new addition.

Keeping their home running efficiently requires careful planning. They have implemented a roster system to ensure every child contributes to daily chores. “When a kid turns eight, they get put on the roster,” Jeni explains. “They rotate through chores like sweeping, mopping, packing up the table, and helping with meal prep.”

Jeni also shares her favorite budget-friendly snack recipes on YouTube, including air fryer egg cups and air fryer pizza bites—both of which are easy to prepare, freeze well, and make perfect school lunches.

For the Bonells, teamwork is essential. “You have to be organized, and everyone has to contribute,” Jeni says. Despite the chaos, their family thrives on love, laughter, and mutual support.

At the end of the day, the Bonell family proves that with creativity, structure, and a lot of love, raising 16 kids is possible. While their lifestyle may not be for everyone, it works for them, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

Jeni and Ray’s story is a testament to the power of family. Whether it’s budgeting, keeping up with laundry, or simply making time for each other, they’ve found a way to make it all work. Their journey reminds us that no matter the size, family is always worth the effort.