Cheaper by the Dozen

What is the true meaning of family? While everyone has their own ideas and morals on this question, Tom Baker (Steve Martin) and wife Kate (Bonnie Hunt) certainly try to answer this in Cheaper by the Dozen. The movie takes its title from the book based on the real-life Gilbreth family of twelve.

The story begins when Tom and Kate fall in love while in college. Tom comes from a very large family and Kate is an only child. Together they decide that they both would like to have a large family of their own. However, they never thought it would grow to include twelve children (with only one set of twins), a pet frog, and of course the family dog. With so many kids, Kate must quit work making Tom the breadwinner of the family. By putting family first and careers last, they seem to have the ideal family.

When Tom is offered his dream job as head coach of his alma mater, Northwestern University, he and Kate are faced with quite a dilemma. The kids do not want to move away from their country house in small town Illinois, however Tom and Kate promise them that this move will make them a stronger and happier family. Little did they know that Tom’s job would be so demanding and Kate’s book she is writing about the family has become a hit and she must go to New York for book signings and a promotional tour for two long weeks.

Tom is left to single-handedly take care of his eleven kids still at home while balancing a very hectic schedule at the college. Chaos takes over as the kids (not wanting to be there in the first place) begin to get a bit too unruly for Tom to handle by himself. Just as the family is about to go into meltdown mode, Kate takes the first flight home. Upon her arrival, she finds that the once happy family she left has now turned into quite a dysfunctional mess. When one of the kid’s frog dies, he decides to run away to his former home to bury it with its mother. With the family in crisis, they band together to get him back safely and in one piece.

After all of this commotion, Tom and Kate realize that family is the most important thing in life and decide to once again put family first. Tom quits his job as head coach and finds something less time consuming and Kate resumes her role as ‘Supermom.’

Although the movie’s rating is PG, parents should be aware of some borderline naughty words and slight sexual references. Part of the plot is focused around the oldest daughter moving in with her boyfriend and the question of whether or not they can sleep together at mom and dad’s house. Families may want to talk about how this family is able to balance time for each other and time for work. They may also discuss how family comes first and how the Bakers are able to support each other in tough times.