Australia's fertility rate has reached a record low of 1.48 in 2024, leading to a decline in large families with four or more children, which are becoming increasingly rare. The article highlights the experiences of two such families: the Powells in Batemans Bay and the Hodors in Sunbury, Victoria. Both families require significant logistical planning and rely on extensive support systems, including family members and sometimes external help, to manage their daily routines. Factors contributing to the declining birth rate include the soaring cost of living, a lack of affordable family housing, and a childcare system in crisis, prompting many Australians to have fewer children than previous generations might have. Despite the challenges, parents like Steph Powell and Kylie Hodor express deep fulfillment from raising their large families.