When Jeni first met her husband Ray, she was sure of one thing — she never wanted kids.
“Ray wanted at least four kids. I thought that was insane. Like, who has that many children?” Jeni shared with Mamamia.
Now, over thirty years later, they are the proud parents of 16 kids.
$600 every week on groceries.
If you’re from Australia, you might know about them, but for me, it was a real surprise when I first started reading about The Bonell Family.
Life for the Bonell family, who are raising 16 kids in Australia, is anything but normal. From feeding their large family to managing the chaos of everyday life, Jeni and Ray Bonell have perfected the skill of handling it all — and they do it with a good sense of humor, too.
The Bonell family, from Toowoomba in Queensland, 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.
Comedian Jim Gaffigan once joked, “You know what it’s like having a fourth kid? Imagine you’re drowning, then someone hands you a baby.” So what’s it like to have sixteen kids?
Jeni, the mother in charge, spends an astonishing $600 every week on groceries just to keep their pantry full. With inflation hitting hard, that budget has increased by $50. For a family of 18 (with 8 kids still living at home), it takes a lot to keep everyone well-fed.
The weekly grocery list is nothing short of amazing: 17 three-litre bottles of milk, 14 boxes of cereal, 45 tubs of yogurt, and a staggering four dozen eggs.
“We go through 50 litres of milk each week and one to two loaves of bread every day,” Jeni shares.
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For the Bonells, managing this is a logistical puzzle, but it’s just part of their daily life. Their home life is like a well-planned dance.
“Getting a good family photo is tough,” Jeni chuckles. “You need a super wide lens, and there’s always someone who’s not looking, making a silly face, or has their eyes shut. But we love those little oddities in the pictures. They might not be perfect, but that’s what makes it enjoyable.”
With 16 kids, it’s not merely about snapping pictures — it’s about keeping pace with the whirlwind of everyday life.
Just think about having 16 kids, a full-time job, part-time jobs, and managing a household. That’s the reality for Jeni and Ray.
“I used to believe life was hectic with little ones,” Jeni remarks, “but I’m definitely busier now with older kids.” Juggling three different schools, sports, part-time jobs, and the older kids’ studies is quite the balancing act. Still, Jeni wouldn’t change a thing. “Life is really busy – but it’s good.”
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Their evening routine perfectly showcases the Bonell family vibe. “Imagine a regular-sized family and multiply it by eight, and that’s our evening routine,” Jeni laughs.
Making every dollar count.
Some nights are complete chaos; other nights, everything runs smoothly like a well-tuned machine. But no matter how the evening goes, one thing remains the same: dinner time. “Dinner is always fantastic,” Jeni says. “Some nights we have eight people at the table, and other nights we have over 20!”
The Bonells are experts at making every dollar count. Jeni is famous for her affordable meals that range from $2 to $10. She frequently posts her grocery shopping experiences on YouTube to assist others in managing their food expenses.
“It’s tough for everyone right now,” Jeni states, “We’re all feeling the budget crunch.” To keep things organized, Jeni utilizes a chore chart to allocate household tasks, ensuring that everyone aged eight and older contributes. The children are also instructed in cooking from an early age. “Our 12-year-old can prepare a roast dinner for 20 people with hardly any supervision,” Jeni proudly shares.
The laundry in their household is equally substantial. Jeni handles three full loads of laundry daily, which is about six average-sized loads. When it comes to grocery shopping, Jeni fills two carts each week. “I always need one of the kids to assist with the load,” she explains.
Regarding their finances, the Bonells have learned to make compromises. While they are paying off their home mortgage, the financial strain is still significant. “It’s costly, and you definitely have to make budget sacrifices,” Jeni remarks. “But we all work, and our family doesn’t rely on taxpayer support. Still, we face a lot of criticism for having so many children.”
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Even though the Bonells are very religious and attend church regularly, Jeni emphasizes that their large family isn’t just a product of their strong faith.
“God has a unique sense of humor,” Jeni says. They have no regrets, however. “It just feels right for us,” Ray, who is an electrician, adds. “People need to do what’s best for them. Having 16 kids isn’t for everyone, but it suits us just fine.”
Despite their hectic lives, Jeni and Ray manage to carve out time for themselves. “Do I get time alone with my wife? Absolutely. We prioritize time for each other,” Ray smiles. “It’s essential to take care of one another.”]} “`
With their two older kids now married and out of the house, Jeni and Ray are stepping into the role of grandparents to two little ones. This just shows how the Bonell family continues to expand. Each new member brings even more love, laughter, and a stronger sense of unity.
For the Bonells, having a good system in place is essential. They’ve created a reliable routine that includes getting school uniforms and lunches ready the night before and having a chore rotation to keep things running smoothly.
“We have a roster system, so when a kid turns eight, they get added to the list,” Jeni explains. “They take turns doing chores like sweeping, mopping, setting the table, and helping with meal prep.”
When it comes to snacks, Jeni loves sharing her go-to recipes 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 Bonells, the focus is on building a system where everyone can help out. Even with the hectic life of managing a family of 16, it’s clear that love, teamwork, and a good sense of humor keep the Bonell family thriving.
Whether it’s feeding the kids, managing the household, or squeezing in a quick coffee date, the Bonells handle it all with a smile.
At the end of the day, the Bonell family shows that with a bit of creativity, a lot of organization, and tons of love, you can make almost anything work. Raising 16 kids is no small feat, but for Jeni and Ray, it’s just part of their exciting journey.
Whether it’s sharing advice on feeding a large family on a budget, tackling the never-ending laundry, or simply enjoying the beautiful chaos of family life, the Bonells know how to get it done. Through it all, they’re building a home filled with memories, laughter, and endless love. If there’s one lesson we can learn from them, it’s that family, no matter how large, is always worth it.
