Sorry I was so wrapped up in getting around to my question to you but.... like MummaPan said, when we were younger there were 4 in a room. My family goes... girl, boy,girl, boy and another 4 boys. Us older 4 shared until it was a bit of an issue for my sister and I. The boys shared although my older brother being the extravert he is (in nicer terms) got his own room from early on (he was a terd of a teenager. Once 5 of my brothers shared. We did have a bigger than average house and a big yard.
After #5 was born, we didnt do family holidays. As for school, I worked from about 12 so that I could put towards a school of my choice. We did use food hampers from the local church though, even though my dad worked and worked. I loved being from a big family. There was lots of love around and instant friends. (I just answered my own question...)