This Family Has 22 Kids. In an Age of $29,000-a-Year Childcare, Here’s How—and Why.

With the estimated annual cost of raising one child hitting over$29,000 this year—a staggering35.7% increase from just two years ago—many people are choosing smaller families, or none at all. But one 'giant' family is bucking the trend with 22 children, and a recent online Q&A with one of the siblings is pulling back the curtain on their unique life.

A Household of 22 Siblings and 84 Grandkids

The story, compiled byBored Panda, centers on a 30-year-old man who revealed his family isMormon and, fortunately, "fairly well-off." His siblings now range in age from 19 to 47. The family has grown to include84 grandchildren, with another three on the way. Questions from netizens covered everything from how the parents managed individual time with each child to the logistics of a family gathering that large.

Why Mormon Families Often Choose to Be Large

While the average American family has one or two children, it's not unusual for someMormon families to have five or more. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints places a huge emphasis on family. Jim Harmer, who was born into the faith, writes that they "believe God’s commandment to multiply and replenish the earth," viewing children as a core purpose in life.

According to Harmer, this belief is woven into daily life, with families often starting the day with scripture and prayer. The website MormonRules.com adds that for believers, family units are eternal and will stay together in the afterlife. "What they do here prepares the pattern of life for the rest of eternity," the site explains. "The children they have will be theirs forever."

A Private Decision, Not a Doctrine

However, both sources stress that the decision on family size is entirely up to each couple. The Church's official policy encourages couples to "pray and counsel together as they plan their families." It explicitly states that factors like the physical and mental health of the parents and their ability to provide basic necessities should be considered. Ultimately, having a large family is seen as a blessing and a personal choice, not a strict requirement.