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 told Mamamia.
Now, over three decades later, they are the proud parents of 16 children.
$600 every week on groceries
If you’re from Australia, you might be familiar with them, but for me, discovering The Bonell Family was a real shock.
Raising 16 children in Australia, life for the Bonells is far from ordinary. From managing meals for their massive family to handling the daily chaos, Jeni and Ray Bonell have mastered the art of organization— all while keeping their sense of humor intact.
The Bonell family, from Queensland’s Toowoomba, is made up 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.
Comedian Jim Gaffigan once joked, “You know what it’s like having a fourth kid? Imagine you’re drowning, then someone hands you a baby.” So what’s it like to have sixteen kids?
Jeni, the mother at the helm, spends a staggering $600 every week on groceries just to keep their pantry stocked. With inflation hitting hard, that budget has crept up by $50. For a family of 18 (with 8 kids still living at home), it takes a lot to keep everyone well-fed.
Their weekly grocery haul is truly staggering: 17 three-liter bottles of milk, 14 boxes of cereal, 45 tubs of yogurt, and an incredible four dozen eggs.
“We go through 50 liters of milk each week and up to two loaves of bread a day,” says Jeni.
Getting a good family photo is difficult
For most, it would be a logistical nightmare, but for the Bonells, it’s simply part of their daily rhythm. Their home runs on a carefully choreographed routine.
“Getting a good family photo is a challenge,” Jeni says with a laugh. “You need an extra-wide lens, and there’s always someone looking away, making a funny face, or blinking. But we love those little quirks—they’re not picture-perfect, but that’s what makes them special.”
With 16 kids, life isn’t just about capturing moments—it’s about keeping up with the nonstop whirlwind of daily life.
Imagine having 16 kids, a full-time job, part-time jobs, and a household to run. That’s the reality for Jeni and Ray.
“I used to think life was busy with little kids,” says Jeni, “but I’m certainly busier these days with older children.” Between coordinating three different schools, sporting activities, part-time jobs, and the older kids’ studies, it’s a juggling act. And yet, Jeni wouldn’t have it any other way. “Life is very hectic – but it’s good.”
The evening routine in their home is a perfect reflection of the Bonell family dynamic. “Take an average-sized family and multiply it by eight, and that’s what our evening routine is like,” Jeni laughs.
Stretching every dollar
Some nights it’s total chaos; other nights, everything falls into place like a well-oiled machine. But regardless of how the evening unfolds, one thing is always consistent: dinner time. “Dinner is always great,” Jeni explains. “Some nights we have eight people at the table, other nights we have more than 20!”
The Bonells have mastered the art of stretching every dollar. Jeni is known for her budget-friendly meals, costing between $2 and $10, and often shares her grocery hauls on YouTube to help others save on food expenses.
“It’s tough for everyone right now,” Jeni admits. “We’re all feeling the pinch.”
To keep things running smoothly, she relies on a chore chart, ensuring that everyone aged eight and up pitches in. The kids also learn to cook early on. “Our 12-year-old can prepare a roast dinner for 20 people with almost no supervision,” Jeni says proudly.
Laundry is another major task in their household. Jeni washes three full loads daily—equivalent to six standard loads. As for grocery shopping, she fills two carts each week. “I always need one of the kids to help manage it all,” she adds.
The Bonell Family religion
When it comes to their finances, the Bonells have learned to make sacrifices. While they pay off their home mortgage, the financial pressures are still real. “It’s expensive and you definitely have to make sacrifices with your budget,” says Jeni. “But we all work, and our family doesn’t live off the taxpayer. However, we do get a lot of criticism for having so many kids.”
Although the Bonells are deeply religious and regularly attend church, Jeni insists that their large family isn’t solely the result of their strong faith.
“God has a funny sense of humor,” Jeni says with a smile. But neither she nor Ray, an electrician, has any regrets. “It just feels right for us,” Ray adds. “Having 16 kids isn’t for everyone, but it’s what works for us.”
Despite their hectic lives, Jeni and Ray make time for each other. “Do I get alone time with my wife? Of course, I do,” Ray says with a grin. “It’s important to take care of each other.”
Now, with two of their older children married and out of the house, Jeni and Ray have stepped into a new role—grandparents to two grandchildren. And as their family continues to grow, so does the love, laughter, and bond that holds them all together.
Inside their roster system
In a family where organization is key, the Bonells have developed a solid routine. From prepping school uniforms and lunches the night before to creating a rotation system for chores, the Bonells make it work.
“We have a roster system, so when a kid turns eight, they get put on the roster,” says Jeni. “They rotate through chores like sweeping, mopping the floor, packing up the table, and helping with meal prep.”
When it comes to snacks, Jeni has a few favorites she shares with fans on YouTube, including air fryer egg cups and air fryer pizza bites. Both snacks are simple to prepare, freeze well, and are perfect for school lunches.
For the Bonells, it’s all about creating a system that allows everyone to pitch in and contribute. And despite the chaos of managing a household of 16, it’s clear that love, teamwork, and humor keep the Bonell family thriving.
Whether it’s feeding the kids, running a household, or finding time for a quick coffee date, the Bonells make it all work — and they do it with a smile.
At the end of the day, the Bonell family shows that with creativity, organization, and plenty of love, anything is possible. Raising 16 kids isn’t easy, but for Jeni and Ray, it’s all part of the adventure.
From sharing budget-friendly meal tips to tackling mountains of laundry and embracing the beautiful chaos of family life, the Bonells make it work. Through it all, they’re building a home filled with laughter, memories, and love. If there’s one lesson to take from their story, it’s that no matter the size, family is always worth it.
