When Jeni first met her husband, Ray, she was certain 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 recalled in an interview with Mamamia. Yet, decades later, the couple has built a life that is anything but ordinary, raising 16 children and becoming Australia’s largest family.
Life in the Bonell household, located in Toowoomba, Queensland, is a whirlwind of activity. Their 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 such a large household requires an incredible amount of organization, patience, and teamwork.
One of the biggest challenges they face is grocery shopping. Every week, Jeni spends around $600 to keep their pantry stocked, and inflation has increased their budget by another $50. Even though eight of their children have moved out, feeding a family of ten is still a major operation. Their weekly shopping list is nothing short of impressive: 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 says.
Taking a family photo is another challenge. “You need an extra-wide lens, and there’s always someone looking away, pulling a funny face, or closing their eyes,” Jeni laughs. “But we love those little quirks. They’re not picture-perfect, but that’s part of the fun.”
Beyond family photos, daily life is a full-time balancing act. Jeni and Ray juggle their time between school drop-offs, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, and keeping up with household tasks. “I used to think life was busy with little kids,” Jeni admits, “but I’m even busier now that they’re older.”
Evenings at the Bonell household follow a structured routine. “Take an average-sized family and multiply it by eight, and that’s what our evening looks like,” Jeni jokes. Some nights, dinner is a cozy affair with just eight people, while other nights, over 20 family members gather around the table. No matter how chaotic the day has been, dinnertime is a tradition they always uphold.
Stretching every dollar is a necessity, and Jeni has mastered the art of budget-friendly meals. She often shares grocery hauls and meal-planning tips on YouTube, helping families navigate rising food costs. “It’s tough for everyone right now,” Jeni acknowledges. “We’re all feeling the financial strain.” To keep things running smoothly, she enforces a chore chart that ensures every child over the age of eight contributes to the household. “Our 12-year-old can put a roast dinner on for 20 people with almost no supervision,” Jeni says proudly.
Laundry is another monumental task. Jeni washes at least three full loads daily—adding up to six average-sized loads. Grocery shopping is equally demanding, requiring two fully loaded carts each week. “I always need one of the kids to help,” she says.
Financially, the Bonells have had to make sacrifices. While they continue to pay off their 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. That being said, we do get a lot of criticism for having so many kids.”
Despite their large family, Jeni insists that their decision to have 16 children wasn’t solely due to their religious beliefs. “God has a funny sense of humor,” she says. However, she 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.”
Even with their demanding lifestyle, Jeni and Ray prioritize their relationship. “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 your marriage.”
Their family continues to grow, with two of their older children now married and adding grandchildren to the mix. With each new addition, their bond only strengthens.
Keeping their household running smoothly requires structure. The Bonells use a roster system to ensure that every child contributes to daily chores. “Once a child turns eight, they’re added to the roster,” Jeni explains. “They rotate through tasks 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 great school lunches.
For the Bonells, teamwork is key. “You have to be organized, and everyone has to pitch in,” Jeni says. Despite the endless to-do lists, their family thrives on love, laughter, and togetherness.
At the end of the day, the Bonell family proves that with creativity, structure, and a whole lot of love, raising 16 kids is possible. While their lifestyle may not be for everyone, it works for them, and they wouldn’t change a thing.
Jeni and Ray’s story is a testament to the power of family. Whether it’s budgeting, keeping up with laundry, or simply finding moments to enjoy each other’s company, they’ve found a way to make it all work. Their journey reminds us that no matter the size, family is always worth it.
