multiple births

And multiple pregnancies.  I had no idea that Australian families were so large.  In South Africa I would often get raised eye brows when I mentioned that I am the mother of three boys.  Here, I am an average achiever.  Two children just doesn't cut it and more than three is the norm. 

Perth is a great family city and everyone includes the children in all forms of entertainment.  Babysitters are expensive and it is far more common to be invited out as a family.  The trouble with this is that a dinner for three families often results in 10 children on your guest list. 

We love entertaining so this is often how our table looks.  We now have two dining tables in our living area to accommodate the masses or we just eat in shifts with an age restriction on each!  Australian families are amazing at handling their children and their busy lives.  It is not uncommon to be the only mum alongside the pool at swimming lessons as many dads have one or two days a week off work to share the load with a working wife.  Australian women in general clean their own homes, do their own laundry and hold down some form of part time work.  Stopping at two children just doesn't seem right even when life is very busy and often spinning out of control.  The good thing is that on the odd occasion that we have had a babysitter, they never even flinch when we say that there are three boys to look after - that, my dear, is just a very common occupational hazard.