A big family is considered to be a family with four or more kids. Coming from a household with seven siblings, the four-sibling minimum to be considered a big family was reached quite a few kids ago. To be in a big family is to be loved and cared for but to feel ignored and overwhelmed at the same time.
“Older children are paid the most attention in my family,” said a sibling of six, Ashley Williamson. “Since I’m the youngest, I don’t get looked at and paid attention to as much as they did when they were younger.”
With bigger families, the attention is spread out more, and can feel very lonely and unfair at times, but staying positive and finding things you’re passionate about can help resolve those feelings.
“I think there is a huge difference between the amount of attention and time parents spend with different children,” said Williamson.
However, being in a big family can be rewarding and helpful at times, and not everyone feels that they are treated unequally or unfairly.
“I think we get the same treatment and respect,” said sibling of five, Alex Romero.
According to ifstudies.org, kids with siblings have greater social skills than those without, and growing up with more siblings can raise children’s mental health in the future, so being in a big family does have its advantages.
“Some advice I’d give someone that is new to the whole big family aspect would be to find things that differentiate you from your siblings and take time for yourself,” said sister of seven, Kirstin Kitchen. “If someone not in a big family came into one, I think it might kill them, but I think they’d learn to like it.”
