When Jeni first met her husband, Ray, she was convinced that having children was not in her future. “Ray wanted at least four kids. I thought that was crazy. Like, who has that many children?” Jeni told Mamamia. Fast forward over three decades, and the couple is now raising 16 children, making them Australia’s largest family.

Life in the Bonell household, based in Toowoomba, Queensland, is anything but ordinary. With 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—there is never a dull moment. Managing a home with 16 children requires an extraordinary level of organization, patience, and humor, and Jeni and Ray have mastered the art of making it work.

Running a household of this size comes with significant expenses, particularly when it comes to groceries. Jeni spends around $600 every week just to keep their pantry stocked, and with inflation, that amount has increased by $50. Even though eight of their children have moved out, feeding a family of ten is still a major task. Their weekly grocery list is staggering—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.

Having 16 children also means that 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 laughs. “But we enjoy those little quirks in the photos. They’re not picture-perfect, but that’s part of the fun.”

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

The Bonell household operates on a strict schedule to ensure everything runs smoothly. “Take an average-sized family and multiply it by eight, and that’s what our evening routine is like,” Jeni jokes. Some nights, the family dinner table seats only eight, while other nights, there are more than 20 people gathered. No matter how hectic things get, dinnertime remains a special tradition.

Jeni has become an expert at stretching every dollar, preparing budget-friendly meals that cost between $2 and $10 per serving. She frequently shares her grocery hauls and meal-planning tips on YouTube, helping other families save money on food. “It’s a struggle for everyone at the moment,” Jeni says. “We’re all feeling that pinch with the budget.” To keep things organized, Jeni relies on a chore chart, ensuring that every child over the age of eight contributes to household responsibilities. The children are also taught to cook from a young age. “Our 12-year-old can put a roast dinner on for 20 people with almost no supervision,” she says proudly.

Laundry is another monumental task. Jeni washes at least three full loads of laundry every day, which amounts to six average-sized loads. Grocery shopping is equally demanding—each week, Jeni fills up two trolleys and always needs one of the kids to help carry everything.

When it comes to finances, the Bonells have had to make sacrifices. While they continue to pay off their home mortgage, they’ve had to be mindful of their budget. “It’s expensive, and you definitely have to make sacrifices,” Jeni says. “But we all work, and our family doesn’t live off the taxpayer. Still, we do get a lot of criticism for having so many kids.”

Despite their large family, Jeni and Ray make time for themselves. “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 look after each other.”

Their family continues to grow, as two of their older children are now married and have children of their own, making Jeni and Ray proud grandparents. While the Bonell family may be large, they embrace the chaos, finding joy in every challenge and cherishing the strong bond that unites them.

To keep their home running efficiently, the Bonells have implemented a roster system. “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 freeze well and are perfect for school lunches.

For the Bonells, teamwork is essential. “You have to be organized, and everyone has to contribute,” Jeni says. Despite the nonstop activity and inevitable challenges, the Bonell family thrives on love, laughter, and a strong sense of togetherness.

At the end of the day, the Bonells prove 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 managing a tight budget, tackling an endless pile of laundry, or simply making time to enjoy each other’s company, they have found a way to make it all work. The Bonell family’s journey reminds us that no matter how big a family is, love and teamwork will always be the foundation that keeps it together.