Life inside a 22-member household: Spokane mom of 20 opens up about meals, budgets and daily chaos

In Spokane, Washington, Desiree Hart-Spegal and Christopher Hart-Spegal are now a family of 22 after blending two large broods and welcoming nine more children since meeting in 2013. Desiree, then 37, already had three children from a previous relationship when she met Christopher, who had eight. The couple married in July 2014 and since then have expanded their brood to 22 in total. The children range from Gavin, 24, down to Zavior, seven months, with several ages in between, including Skyler, 23; Braden, 21; Maliki, 20; Makaila, 19; Kaden, 18; Sarayia and Jayden, both 15; Donny, Chevelle and Andrew, all 12; Christa, 10; Izabella, 9; Chris Jr., 8; Lily, 7; Heavenly, 6; Ellie, 5; Briella, 3; and Ezekiel, 2. The family maintains an active, public presence as they share snippets of their life online, including their largest brood’s day-to-day routines.

The Daily Mail interviewed the couple to illuminate what it means to parent with such scale and how they navigate the inevitable daily demands. Desiree described how the decision to have a large family unfolded in the years after marriage. “We were going to stop after we got married and had 11 combined kids, but I just couldn’t bear the thought that someone is supposed to be here and I’m preventing them,” she said. “I chose to just walk in blind faith.” The couple has since welcomed nine more children, transforming their household into a busy household of 22.

Image: Desiree Hart-Spegal with her husband and several of their children

A central reality the Hart-Spegals emphasize is the logistical load of meals. Desiree says cooking for a large family can take hours and requires extensive planning and cleanup afterward. She typically spends one to three hours preparing breakfast, then turns her attention to lunch and a later dinner, all while keeping snacks flowing. “Holy... yes,” she joked when asked if preparing each meal feels like a huge task. Still, she notes benefits to bulk cooking and meal planning, including the ability to buy in bulk and keep costs down. “I would say the pros to cooking for a huge family is probably cost; I get to buy stuff in bulk which usually drops the prices. I usually end up making restaurant-style menus so my kids know what they’ll be eating for the week.”

The family’s grocery bill reflects the scale of their household. In past interviews, the couple said they spend about $26,000 a year on food for the kids, roughly $500 a week. That substantial outlay is part of a broader budgeting approach that includes keeping a visible weekly menu and prioritizing cost-effective, bulk purchases. Desiree adds that meals require ongoing effort every day—three main meals and snacks—plus the inevitable cleanup task that follows every sitting.

The Hart-Spegals have also faced financial pressures tied to holiday giving. Desiree told the Daily Mail that Christmas gifts can be a major annual expense, sometimes approaching $10,000. This year, the family has aimed to cut the total below $5,000 while still ensuring each child receives meaningful gifts. The family’s 3,200-square-foot home includes five bedrooms and three bathrooms, and they have even transformed the basement into a dedicated space described as a “boys corridor” where all of the sons reside. Desiree says keeping order is a continual challenge, and each child has age-appropriate chores assigned each night. She spends much of her free time cleaning, noting she typically cleans after the kids return from school, before bed, and sometimes in the morning before they wake.

Laundry is a daily undertaking: Desiree says she handles two loads a day, with Saturdays often spiking to as many as 10 loads. Despite the daily grind, the Hart-Spegals emphasize that individual time with each child remains a priority. “We especially make time on birthdays, as we love to celebrate our children. We have private conversations with each kid,” Desiree explained. They also rotate a chance to accompany parents on errands so each child can have one-on-one attention.

To manage outings with such a large group, the family relies on a 15-passenger van and carefully coordinated logistics. Desiree explains that she often keeps count and assigns an older child to hold a younger sibling’s hand to prevent anyone from slipping away. She also notes that the father often leads the way while she acts as the caboose to monitor stragglers. The couple acknowledges the constant “chaos” but say that the one-on-one time and shared family moments help balance the demands of daily life.

While the day-to-day rhythm is intense, the Hart-Spegals say they are committed to treating each child with care and giving them opportunities for individualized attention. They say their approach to parenting is not about achieving perfection but about sustaining a family culture that values communication, routine, and shared experiences. The couple’s Instagram presence provides a window into their life, but it has also drawn scrutiny from online commentators who question the ethics and feasibility of parenting at this scale. Some critics say the family is overpopulating the Earth, while others have made harsh comments or even alleged neglect. Desiree says she doesn’t judge those opinions, but she has described some responses as vulgar and noted that some critics have even contacted authorities in the past. She adds that those critics often lack an understanding of her family’s day-to-day reality.

The couple has remained vocal about their life together, including their plans for the future. After welcoming Zavior, their 20th child, in May, Desiree says they decided not to have any more children and scheduled a vasectomy for next April. She acknowledges that plans can still change if circumstances shift, but she emphasizes that the couple’s goal is to maintain a stable, healthy household while continuing to provide one-on-one time with each child. “I think we should be fine as my body has been slowing down as I’m getting older,” she added.

Despite the ongoing chaos, the Hart-Spegals say they are determined to preserve meaningful connections with each child. They see value in celebrating milestones, protecting family rituals, and documenting their journey for their broader audience on social media. They also stress that every child has a future within the family, with each member contributing to a sense of belonging and shared responsibility. “We want our kids to know they are loved and important,” Desiree said, highlighting the personal, long-term payoff of a large, tightly knit family.

The conversation with the Daily Mail offers a candid look at what it takes to raise 22 children under one roof, from the logistics of meals and laundry to the emotional labor of nurturing individual connections. Whether audiences view the arrangement as aspirational or controversial, the Hart-Spegals insist that their family’s story is one of dedication, not neglect. They hope to continue documenting their life, while balancing the practical realities of such a sizeable household and the ongoing, everyday moments that define family life.