My kids are growing up near their cousins. It's priceless.

The author's five kids are growing up with tons of cousins.

Courtesy of the author

• I'm one of four kids, so I know how fun it can be to grow up in a big family.
• My five children have lots of cousins to play with, and we're lucky they live close by.
• Sleepovers with my nieces and nephews can be wild, but they're always a blast for the kids.

Occasionally, when it comes up in conversation that I have five children, I'm met with surprise and sometimes, a little bit of shock.