Photo by Kevin A. Roberts
Don Roberts is rarely seen on Raising Roberts—the popular blog where his wife, Jessica, writes about real life with so many youngsters—but he's a dedicated and patient dad.
Basic stats
- Age: 32
- Family: Wife Jessica, 30, and kids Liam, 9; Kai, 8; Kingston, 6; Evangeline, 4; Desmond, 2; Clementine, 1; and Primrose, 1 month.
- Job: Convenience store manager
- Best Feature: “A lot of people tell me I’m extremely patient.”
Noise Level
“Having a large family is an interesting dynamic. It can be quiet one minute and loud the next. If anyone is gone and it’s quiet, it just doesn’t feel right.”
Only Child
“When I was growing up, I never would have imagined this life! I am an only child, and I love having a large family.”
One-On-One Time
“It's definitely not an everyday or even a weekly thing, but Jessica and I like to let one of the four oldest kids stay up late with us. They rotate, so they each get a turn. Or, if one of us needs to run an errand, we’ll let just one or two come with us sometimes.”
Balancing Act
“I worked nights for six and a half years, but now I’m on the day/evening shift. It’s allowed me to be with my family more instead of sleeping while everyone is up. I miss out on dinner at home three nights a week now, which is a bummer, but other areas—like breakfast with everyone—have made up for it.”Digital Diary
“I recently started Family Fun Cast, a YouTube vlog about our family, because it seemed like a great way to save home movies of the kids. And we really enjoy watching online how other people’s families grow, so it seemed like maybe other people would like the same from us.”
Family Values
“I want my kids to say, ‘He was always there for us. We could always count on Dad.’”
An Extra Hand
“When we need help during major events like the birth of a child, we can definitely count on our family, church family, and friends to help us with the kids. Jessica’s dad and stepmom help out when we need them, but we very rarely rely on the help of others to watch our kids, except for emergency situations.”
In His Wife’s Words
“I love watching him be so involved with the kids and making them laugh. Our baby was sick, so Don took the other kids outside, and while they were filling the pool, a huge water fight ensued, with Don getting soaked. It’s fun to hear all the laughter. You can tell they all feel loved.”
