🏡Growing up in a row home with 12 siblings created a chaotic but tight-knit family dynamic.
🛏️Sleeping arrangements were cramped, with seven siblings sharing one room.
🚫Eleanor's father left her mother with 10 kids, leaving them to navigate life as a single-parent household.
🚬Eleanor and her siblings would steal their father's cigarettes to share amongst themselves.
😅Despite the challenges, Eleanor's family found moments of resilience and strength.
What was it like growing up in a crowded household?
—Growing up in a crowded household with 12 siblings meant sharing bedrooms, stealing cigarettes, and finding unique ways to navigate cramped spaces.
How did Eleanor's father leaving impact the family?
—Eleanor's father left her mother with 10 children, forcing them to adjust to life as a single-parent household and find strength in each other.
How did Eleanor and her siblings manage to sleep in one room?
—With seven siblings sharing one room, space was tight. Eleanor shares the experience of sleeping on the floor and using a makeshift trundle bed.
Did Eleanor's father remain involved in their lives after leaving?
—Eleanor's father moved a few blocks away but did not remain closely involved in their lives. He eventually closed his typewriter store and left their lives completely.
What were some of the challenges Eleanor's family faced?
—Alongside the crowded living conditions, Eleanor's family faced financial struggles and the emotional toll of their father's abandonment. However, they also found resilience and strength in each other.
01:30Eleanor grew up in a row home in South Philly with 12 siblings.
04:56Her father left her mother with 10 kids, leaving them to navigate life as a single-parent household.
09:02Sleeping arrangements were cramped, with seven siblings sharing one room.
11:15Eleanor and her siblings would steal their father's cigarettes to share amongst themselves.
14:57Despite the challenges, Eleanor's family found moments of resilience and strength.
