By DONNA JACOB

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – &#8220My vehicle has a 364 engine with a Dana rear end,” says Emile Bergeron of LaPlace. But he is not bragging about a race car he owns; Bergeron is talking about the 15-passenger van he drives.

He is not a professional bus driver, but he does transport large groups of passengers.

Like most dads, Bergeron chauffeurs his children around. There is just one exception – he has 11 children.

Bergeron and his wife Anna Marie have seven girls and four boys, ranging from age 10 months to 19.

The couple has managed to out do the big family tradition in which they were both raised. Emile was one of six children in his family and Anna Marie was one of seven children in her family.

Bergeron is a native of Metairie and is an engineer at Entergy in Reserve. His wife, a Gentilly native, makes a career by homeschooling.

The couple made the decision to homeschool the children to help create a firm foundation for their lives by building their character and values.

&#8220We like to give our kids positive reinforcement and bless them when they do well,” says Bergeron. He adds, &#8220It is important to let your kids know ahead of time what the consequences will be if they do get into trouble.”

Bergeron tries to make each of his children feel special by giving them the special attention they need. He does this by taking them on &#8220Daddy dates.” This special time is used to go out for a treat and to encourage communication between father and child.

Anne Marie says her husband truly desires to know his children’s hearts and prays for them. He also spends a lot of time helping out around the house and he makes breakfast every morning.

&#8220He is willing to put aside his plans and desires to care for and spend time with us,” says Bergeron’s 19-year-old child Bethany.

Abbi, 17, says, &#8220I love how he gets up early to make us breakfast. He also calls us when he gets to work and blesses us individually.”

&#8220He is very committed to our family and makes time to spend with each of us,” says 15-year-old Ben.

Rebecca, 14, says, &#8220I like that he is diligent and he takes me on Daddy dates.”

Getting everything done one day at a time is what Hannah, age 11, admires about her dad.

&#8220I like how he takes me on canoe trips,” says 10-year-old Joseph. &#8220He also prays with us and encourages us.”

Joseph’s twin year old brother Jonathan says, &#8220He lets me work on things with him and shows how much he cares for us.”

&#8220He is so nice and he takes me on bike rides,” says Christina, age 7.

Lydia, 5, says, &#8220We go on Daddy dates and sometimes he buys me stuff at the store.

&#8220I like going to the store with my dad and how he makes oatmeal for breakfast,” says 3-year-old Chloe.

Bergeron says the biggest challenges of having such a large family is keeping the house organized, making sure the children’s chores are done and having limited bathroom time. He admits, &#8220Though it’s difficult to find a quiet place anywhere in the house, I’m still open to the idea of having more children.”