I’m a Dad of 8 Kids—Ask Me Anything!
Let’s start with the question I get every single time someone learns I have eight kids: “Are you out of your mind?!” Fair enough. Eight children might sound like a circus, a financial black hole, or the plot of a chaotic sitcom. But here’s the truth: parenting a large family is messy, loud, and occasionally overwhelming—and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Over the years, I’ve learned to embrace the chaos, find humor in the madness, and discover unexpected lessons in the daily grind. So, let’s dive into the questions people actually ask me (and a few they’re too polite to voice).
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How Do You Even Manage Time?
Time management with eight kids isn’t about perfection—it’s about survival. Our house runs on routines, teamwork, and a giant wall calendar color-coded for each child’s activities. Mornings are a carefully orchestrated ballet of cereal bowls, misplaced shoes, and last-minute permission slips. Evenings involve homework stations, sibling “study buddies,” and rotating chore charts.
The secret? Lower your standards. I used to stress about spotless floors or Instagram-worthy family photos. Now, I celebrate if everyone’s fed, clothed, and not actively setting the house on fire.
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What About the Cost?
Let’s address the elephant in the room: raising eight kids isn’t cheap. We’ve mastered the art of hand-me-downs, bulk grocery shopping, and “creative” budgeting (think: vacation = camping in the backyard). But here’s what people miss: kids don’t need lavish toys or designer clothes to thrive. They need attention, security, and a sense of belonging.
Financially, we prioritize experiences over things. Instead of fancy gadgets, we invest in family hikes, board game nights, and library memberships. And yes, we’ve learned to laugh when the grocery bill rivals a car payment.
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Do You Have a Favorite Kid?
Ah, the classic “favorite child” question. The answer? Absolutely not. But here’s the twist: each child has a unique way of driving me up the wall—and stealing my heart. My oldest is the responsible “second mom” who lectures me about bedtime routines. My middle kids compete for the title of “Most Dramatic.” The youngest? They’re the mischievous masterminds who’ve turned our living room into a fort-building empire.
Loving eight kids doesn’t mean dividing affection—it means multiplying it. Each child teaches me something new, whether it’s patience (thanks, toddler tantrums) or humility (nothing like a teenager correcting your TikTok dance).
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How Do You Keep Your Marriage Strong?
My wife and I have a motto: “Team Us vs. The Chaos.” Date nights might involve stolen moments after bedtime or tag-teaming laundry while debating Stranger Things theories. Communication is key—even if it’s a 2 a.m. whispered conversation about whose turn it is to handle the stomach flu cleanup.
We also lean on our kids to give us space. Our older children now understand that “Mom and Dad’s coffee time” is code for “Do not interrupt unless someone is bleeding.”
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What’s the Biggest Myth About Big Families?
That siblings are built-in best friends. Sure, our kids have each other’s backs, but they also bicker over who stole whose socks or “borrowed” a snack without asking. The reality? Sibling relationships are complicated. They fight fiercely but defend each other even more fiercely.
Another myth: “You must be super patient.” Nope. I lose my cool. I forget things. I’ve accidentally packed a toddler’s lunchbox with cat treats (don’t ask). Parenting isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing up, apologizing when you mess up, and modeling resilience.
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What’s the Best Part of Having Eight Kids?
The noise. The laughter during dinner table debates. The way they rally around a sibling who’s nervous about a school play. The inside jokes that only make sense in our family. The pride of watching them grow into kind, curious humans.
And the little moments: a toddler’s sticky-handed hug, a teenager confiding in you about their dreams, the collective cheer when someone finally beats a video game level. These are the memories that drown out the stress of spilled milk or sibling squabbles.
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Any Advice for Overwhelmed Parents?
First, you’re not alone. Parenting is hard, whether you have one kid or eight. My tips:
1. Let go of comparison. Your family’s “normal” doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.
2. Ask for help. Swap babysitting with friends. Delegate chores. Teach kids to fold laundry (badly).
3. Find joy in the chaos. Dance in the kitchen. Turn grocery trips into scavenger hunts. Embrace the beautiful mess.
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Final Thoughts
Being a dad of eight has taught me that love isn’t a finite resource—it’s a renewable energy. Our home might resemble a zoo, but it’s a zoo filled with laughter, growth, and endless opportunities to learn. So, if you’re considering a big family, worried about keeping up, or just curious about the madness… ask me anything. But fair warning: I might answer while holding a baby, refereeing a Nerf war, and burning toast. Welcome to the adventure.
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