THE DOBKOWSKI BUNCH
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HRISTINE DOBKOWSKI IS THE MAYOR OF BELLEVIEW, BUT WHEN SHE’S OFF DUTY, SHE AND HER HUSBAND, BOB, STAY BUSY WITH THEIR 10 CHILDREN. LIKE OTHER FAMILIES WITH MORE CHILDREN THAN IS CONSIDERED NORMAL, THE DOBKOWSKIS ARE ALWAYS SHOOTING DOWN MISCONCEPTIONS. BEING IN THE PUBLIC EYE DOESN’T HELP.
“People think that we’re loaded. They always ask ‘how big is your house?’ People think we’re either really really rich or really really poor,” says Bob. “I think a common misconception is that we’re these super-organized people and things are done in a super-organized way, and they’re not. We’re just like everyone else,” Christine explains with a laugh. “I think the other misconception is that every child in the city belongs to you!” When asked about any organizational methods they have, the two share a little laugh. “We’re organized when it comes to getting the kids to public events and things like that, but as far as dinner…” “Whatever works that night,” Christine says. “I go to the grocery store almost every day after I decide what I’m making that night. We do have chore charts though, and everybody chips in and has a job to do.” Although many people wonder whether they have time for each of their children, Bob and Christine are both self-employed with flexible
Photo by John Jernigan
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THE AVERAGE AMERICAN FAMILY HAS TWO CHILDREN, BUT THEN, NOT EVERYONE SETS A NUMBER. THE MORE THE MERRIER FOR THESE LOCAL FAMILIES, AND AFTER JUST A FEW CONVERSATIONS WITH THESE BIG BROODS, IT’S EASY TO SEE HOW MUCH JOY THEY GET FROM BEING PART OF A REAL-LIFE BRADY BUNCH. BUT WE HAD SOME QUESTIONS: HOW DO THEY GET EVERYTHING DONE WITH SO MANY LITTLE ONES, WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO SAY TO THEIR CRITICS AND WHAT ARE THEIR BEST TIPS FOR RAISING HAPPY, HEALTHY CHILDREN? WE’LL ALSO TAKE A LESSON OR TWO FROM THE FAMOUS FACES OF LARGE FAMILIES, MICHELLE AND JIM BOB DUGGAR—JUST HOW DO THEY KEEP UP WITH ALL 19 KIDS (AND COUNTING)?
BOB & CHRISTINE JULIAN, 21 NATASHA, 16 ROBERT, 15 KATERINA, 13 GEORGE, 11 JOHN, 10 MICHAEL, 8 NICODEMUS, 6 TATIANA, 5 MARKUS, 1 schedules in case of emergencies. Bob says their choices in schooling and occupations have made all the difference in being available for their kids. “We have 10 kids, but we probably spend more time with our kids than families with two because we homeschool. We’re with them all day,” he says. “I think we probably spend more time with our kids than most just because of the choices we’ve made as far as educating them. I don’t think if I was a bank president working 60 or 70 hours a week I would be able to spend so much time with them.” This family seems to agree with the old adage ‘it takes a village to raise a child,’ and they cite the generous support
APRIL 2015
IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD.
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