How to Survive in a Big Family

Nov 1, 2023

Silhouette of people, standing in front of a brain, symbolizing the thought process of a person in a big family.

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.”

Donate to The West Wind

$100

$500

Contributed

Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of West Brunswick High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

About the Contributor

Grace Kitchen, Staff Writer

Grace Kitchen is a 16-year-old sophomore originating from Ohio who moved to the Ocean Isle area in 2021. Kitchen spends most of her time listening to music on her record player and playing basketball. “I grew up with basketball,” said Kitchen. “It's just always been around me. It probably helped that my sister also played it, so that motivated me as well.” Growing up with seven other siblings, Kitchen had no shortage of playmates growing up, inspiring her passion and competitive spirit on the court. One challenge Kitchen faces on the court is the inability to wear her hearing aid while playing. Kitchen grew up needing a hearing aid, and the help of her audiologist influenced Kitchen to want to do the same, to help others in the same way that she was helped by them. “I’ve gone to different audiologists throughout all of my life,” said Kitchen. “I looked up to them because they did what I thought no one could ever do.” Kitchen was recommended the class by a counselor and joined the West Wind looking for another opportunity to write after finishing her creative writing class in freshman year. Kitchen's enjoyment of writing will push her to new heights in the West Wind journalism class. “I’m looking forward to getting out of my shell with this class and exploring the more social aspects of high school,” said Kitchen.