Paul and Jeane Briggs, of Falling Waters, West Virginia, who currently have 37 children, have stated they are open to expanding their family further through adoption. The couple has adopted 32 children and has five biological children, with ages ranging from 10 to 47.
"If someone knocked on my door with a child ... I’d prefer one that’s not a baby," Jeane Briggs told People magazine, indicating their continued willingness to adopt. Paul Briggs, 71, and Jeane Briggs, 69, met in 1976 and did not initially plan for a large family. "It was really just a series of events that continued to bring more children in," Paul explained.
Their adoption journey began after welcoming their five biological children, when they adopted a blind baby boy from Mexico who had been abandoned. This experience led them to focus on caring for children in need, particularly older children or those with disabilities and illnesses. The family has cared for children with various medical conditions, including cancer, polio, scoliosis, kidney problems, learning disabilities, and autism.
The Briggs family home, which is over 5,000 square feet, currently houses 14 of their children. To manage the household, all children have assigned chores. Grocery shopping requires a "structured routine," and older children assist Jeane with shopping and other tasks. Cooking for the large family involves using two stoves and multiple refrigerators and freezers, a task Jeane described as her "love language."
Despite the significant demands, the couple asserts they have developed a system for managing their bustling household. They shared that their entire family regularly arrives early for church services, contrasting with the challenges many parents face with one or two children. Their 43-year-old daughter, Mary Kate, who has 14 children of her own, described her upbringing as "always very positive" and expressed deep admiration for her parents' management of such a large brood.
In a 2014 interview with Today, the couple reported spending approximately $52,000 annually on groceries alone. At that time, Paul Briggs was employed by a credit card processing company, and Jeane, with a background in nursing and teaching, was a stay-at-home mother. His employer reportedly provided financial incentives for each child they adopted. Jeane expressed her deep fulfillment from being a stay-at-home mother, stating, "I say to my kids, you’re the very air I breathe so I need you, I need that oxygen."