An inside look at big family life

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be part of a large family? Whether you’re already from a big family and curious to see how others manage or from a smaller one, Family at Large by Joanne Schreuders offers an engaging look into her unique world.

Schreuders’ book is a lighthearted, funny and insightful read that’s hard to put down. With the tagline “An entertaining peek into the life of a large family,” Family at Large truly lives up to its promise. It’s a collection of personal stories and reflections from Schreuders’ life as a homeschool mom to her ten children, whose ages span eighteen years. She shares her passion for finding God in the mundane and everyday moments, adding a thoughtful layer to her experiences.

Throughout the book, Schreuders candidly shares the ups and downs of raising a big family, inviting readers to step into her life. Her willingness to openly share these moments adds depth to her stories, making her reflections feel personal and genuine. One especially memorable part is her account of undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumour while caring for a newborn, keeping up with her children, and recovering. It’s a challenge that many readers may not have gone through and very powerful to imagine.

Another chapter dives into Schreuders’ efficient, practical approach to family camping trips. She describes how she organizes everything with storage bins and checklists, ensuring each trip is a joyful, memory-making adventure. Her stories about these family trips reflect her joy and devotion to creating lasting experiences with her loved ones, making this chapter particularly heartwarming.

Each chapter ends with a lighthearted section titled, “You know you’re a large family when…” followed by a few humorous snippets. Examples include, “No one has you over for dinner anymore (Have you had a family with more than five kids over for dinner lately?)” and “You draw a diagram on the chalkboard to figure out who goes in which vehicle in order to get to church.” These glimpses add a charming touch to each chapter, highlighting the quirks and joys of living in a large family.

Schreuders’ love for her family is evident on every page. She doesn’t shy away from sharing both the joys and the challenges, acknowledging the anxieties that come with motherhood as well as the laughter and love. It’s also intriguing to read her perspective on how others perceive her family and the remarks they sometimes make. This combination of humour, honesty and vulnerability makes her writing incredibly relatable.

I didn’t expect to read the book so quickly, but the short chapters, friendly tone and humour kept me turning the pages, always telling myself, “Just one more chapter.”

Following Family at Large, Schreuders wrote another book, Doing It Well: Walking Through Cancer with Hope, centred on her husband Jim’s battle with cancer. Despite their faith and prayers, Jim ultimately passed away, and the book offers a message of hope to others facing similar trials. It’s a beautiful testament to resilience, faith and love in the face of deep hardship.