Trying to get 10 kids to do chores was like herding cats...

Growing up with 9 siblings my parents must've had a heck of a time doling out chores. Back in the day my 3 sisters helped Mom with dishes and cleaning and the stereotypical domestic chores. As for us boys, except for the trash it was everything we could do to keep our rooms clean.

All of use were grouped together in different bedrooms. I slept with my two brothers, Jimmy and Johnny. Dad worked his tail off trying to raise 10 kids on a plasterer's pay. As exhausted as he was when coming home from work, he always took time to play with us and help Mom around the house. It was like herding cats when they tried getting us to do things around the house. But, it was by Dad and Mom's example that I learned the reason we need chores.

They had to make due with every penny and so one can only imagine the struggle they had when we wanted an allowance each week. Dad was also the family barber and haircuts were never ending. The quickest way to get through all the boys' haircuts was to give us whiffles. Here's a photo with Dad giving Danny his haircut. Take a close loo at the ceiling in this room. Dad plastered every room in the house and always gave the ceilings special attention.