## <center>Family is the best to have in all times.</center>

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmU1xp6oFDLzC9GeGM7tG3pCYppQwmR2NdLR5YhRsmbFBv/received_1300783530439975.jpeg)

We are a big family of eight. My father, my mother, me, my younger sister and younger brothers. What is the feeling of having a big family? Without further ado, let's answer by its advantages and disadvantages.

**DISADVANTAGES**

Being an eldest among six is not really easy. Having a big family with a parents that didn't came from a so called rich family is so difficult. My father is a farmer without a farm. I mean he is just planting fruits and vegetables in a land that he didn't own. Being and eldest, I experienced carrying a whole bunch of banana in my head from that so called farm along the creek going to our house. I experienced carrying firewood in my shoulders. I experienced carrying a container of water from the tub going to our house. I experienced eating rice only once a day. 

As an eldest who experienced how difficult life is, I always wished that my mother won't get pregnant anymore. I experienced being angry with my parents knowing that mother is pregnant again. I remember, I once told them *Life is so difficult yet you get another baby again?* 

I never thought that baby is a blessings back then because as a child all I can see is the difficulties of life. 

We are considered one of the most indigent family in our Barangay back then. I experienced being bullied, we experience that no one is willing to let us borrow some money or borrow something to eat because my parents don't have a regular and stable job. 

Having a big family means it needs a big budget, needs a lot of food, many will go to school, many is having a need and since we are poor, we can't buy our wants and even our needs.

Despite of those challenges, we are still so thankful for our parents for molding us to be a good person.

**Having a big family is good as long as the parents can afford to sustain life of every members of the family **

**ADVANTAGES**

When we are grown up, graduated to school and have a work, life becomes a little bit easier for us. 

When I got a job, I helped my brother to go to school too. When they graduated, I got married and they are now helping our youngest by supporting him in his studies.

My brothers are now working and life is improving. We are praying that life will be more better. 

**SOLVING PROBLEMS IS EASIER**

Yes, solving family problems become easier when you're many. I remember when our father got sick and been hospitalized. I am the nearest in the hospital so it is my task to cook food and bring it to the hospital. My sister and one brother left in our house to take care of our animals. My other younger brother assisted my mother to process all the papers that being needed in the hospital. Another younger brother who is far from us helped us financially. 

It becomes easier to solve a problem because the task can be divided, many will help it through and above all you have each other to support in all aspects of life.

**YOU HAVE SOMEONE TO LEAN ON**

When our father died, life turns upside down for us. As an eldest i need to be strong for our mother and for my younger siblings. It is heartbreaking hearing my brothers crying, it is so sad knowing that my sister shouted to let her feelings out, it is so sad seeing my brother who almost lost his strength and his breath because of pain.  We cried, we helped each other stand up, we helped each other to be strong and we helped each other to smile again.

While the funeral service is on going, I felt how important to have many siblings. I am in the kitchen making it sure that the family, relatives and visitors will have something to eat. My sister was there to welcome anyone from friends, neighbors and relatives. The third and fourth was there to support us financially. The fourth also help in processing the papers. The third and fifth one helped to prepare everything in the cemetery. The youngest was there for our mother most of the time. He is the sweetest who keeps on hugging and kissing our mother.

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmSEscKr1BHmgzsvX7gTaEqPUYTaYCRVXpzTBsxGyaZXvK/received_483467303183253.jpeg)

As I look at this picture, the six of us were walking following the vehicle who carry our father. What if I am alone that time because I am the only child? I don't have someone to support, I don't have someone to lean on, I don't have someone to get my strength. 

In that event of our life, I realized how important to have many siblings. Indeed **many is better than one.**

In that moment of our life, I thank God for giving me supportive younger siblings. **We may not be rich financially but we are so rich in love and support.**

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This is my participation for sir @galenkp [weekend-engagement initiative](https://ecency.com/hive-168869/@galenkp/writing-topics-week-142-weekend-engagement-initiative?referral=jenthoughts) and I choose the topic: just you or more. 

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Thank you so much for reading. 
@jenthoughts 022623