In the early years of my four boys, I marveled at how little they consumed. As infants, their intake was minuscule, and even as toddlers, they thrived on snacks like Goldfish crackers. I often questioned why feeding kids was labeled as pricey, especially when I managed to stay comfortably within my modest grocery budget. However, as they grew, so did their appetites, leading to me pondering: Where do they store all that food? Didn’t I just purchase three gallons of milk? What happened to my bank account?
I genuinely cherish having a large family, but grocery shopping sometimes makes me reconsider the decision to expand. With my frugal nature, the thought of filling a shopping cart at a wholesale store sends shivers down my spine. Every beep at the checkout increases my anxiety. Bulk purchases become essential when feeding a multitude of seemingly insatiable appetites. Family-sized cereal boxes barely last one breakfast, and my breakfast routine has shifted from a few eggs and half a pound of bacon to cooking dozens of eggs and pounds of bacon. A gallon of milk is consumed within a day and a half.
It’s astounding how quickly food disappears in our household. I can fill the refrigerator to the brim only to find it nearly empty just hours later. My voice echoes as I ask, “What happened to the groceries?” to which my kids casually respond, “Can you grab more mini-muffins next time?”
When I received a new blender for Christmas, I was thrilled—not just for smoothies but also for margaritas! However, I quickly realized that making smoothies for the family wasn’t as economical as I had hoped. While others may blend a banana and some fruit, I find myself using an entire bunch of bananas and an expensive container of berries just to make one pitcher, which my kids will finish in minutes before asking for more snacks.
And when their friends come over, it’s like a food apocalypse. They’ll invite friends over, and I hear, “Can my friend come over and eat everything since they have boring food at home?” The equation of multiple kids plus multiple friends results in the kitchen being ravaged like a swarm of hungry locusts.
At mealtime, whether it’s just us or we have guests, I’m often found stirring massive pots of food. My once-standard cookware has been replaced with industrial-sized pots to accommodate our consumption. A regular-sized pan can’t handle multiple batches of Hamburger Helper, and my soups are now made by the gallon.
Dining out, while a relief from cooking, presents its own challenges for a large family. When the kids were younger, we could easily share meals, but soon they all want their own kids’ meals. Suddenly, it’s a significant expense. Then they start eyeing the adult menu, and before I know it, the bill skyrockets. Even dollar menus lose their charm when you have to order numerous items.
Despite the financial strain, I wouldn’t trade my bustling, lively household for anything. However, it would be great if my children weren’t devouring their college savings—one bulk pack of string cheese at a time! At least all that food gives them the energy to keep up with their antics.
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Summary
Managing a large family brings its own unique set of challenges, especially when it comes to food consumption. As appetites grow, grocery shopping becomes a daunting task that can strain budgets. From bulk cooking to dining out, the financial implications of feeding a big family can be overwhelming, but the joy of family life makes it all worthwhile.