Top 10 Things Only Adults Notice in Cheaper By the Dozen

Top 10 Things Only Adults Notice in Cheaper by the Dozen

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Things Only Adults Notice in “Cheaper by the Dozen.”

For this list, we’ll be looking at the best jokes, innuendos, and visual references from the film that land with older viewers but likely go unnoticed by younger audiences.

Which of these picks went over your head as a kid? Let us know in the comments below!

#10: Show & Tell

Getting out the door isn’t easy for any household, but for the Bakers it means cleaning, clothing, and feeding their many kids. While it’s a group effort, Kate is the ringmaster of the morning, making sure everyone is ready by whatever means necessary. Like a true super mom, she’s aware of what’s going on in each child’s life, and prepares them with updates or pieces of advice. But her words to Mike in particular caught our attention. We can’t help but wonder what prompted this reminder, but it’s a hilarious moment that more than one parent can probably relate to. And it’s something he’ll learn more about when he’s old enough for health class!

#9: An Accidental Pregnancy

As Kate tells it, when she and Tom first met at university, it only took her an hour to realize he was “the one.” The two both shared a dream of having a large family, specifically eight children. Many pregnancies and a set of twins later, the duo ended up with nine kids - and no plans to have any more! That is, until they attended a party at their alma mater and…had a really good time. Younger audiences won’t completely understand how an alcohol induced incident could lead to a baby. But the moms and dads in the room know it’s a tale as old as time!

#8: Together, Maybe

In recent years, post-credit scenes have become increasingly popular. But the end of a film used to be considered the perfect spot for a blooper reel. Featuring flubs while rolling the credits of an action or comedy provides a look behind the scenes while giving fans a glimpse into the actors’ personalities. In the “Cheaper by the Dozen” blooper reel, Bonnie Hunt’s bold sense of humor shines through. When her on-screen son Tom Welling decides to play along, the two engage in a passionate embrace. The Oedipal irony of the moment is likely lost on the kids watching, but Sigmund Freud would probably like a word.

#7: Kids on Milk Cartons

It’s safe to say that the Bakers make a less than perfect first impression when meeting their neighbors Bill and Tina Shenk. While Bill implies that having a dozen kids is old-fashioned, Tina is more critical of the family. Later in the film, she makes a rather pointed dig, essentially questioning Tom and Kate’s parenting skills. Kids watching that scene probably didn’t understand. But without uttering the exact words, she said that their children would go missing. And when Mark runs away, Tina actually insults Kate to her face. These days, the milk carton technique is no longer used. But while it’s a dated reference for older generations, it’s still an incredibly harsh comment.

#6: Preserving the Heat

After twelve kids and twenty-three years of marriage, Tom and Kate’s relationship is still going strong. They continue to support one another as spouses, parents, and people. The passage of time, and all the chaos it’s brought, hasn’t affected their love and affection for one another. They are, however, constantly surrounded by children, so the two can’t be explicit with each other without it being inappropriate. Instead, they flirt covertly. As Kate watches Tom walking away, he turns back and comments on how they’ve retained their sizzling chemistry before doing a hilarious little dance. It’s easy for the older members of the audience to guess what he’s referring to. Based on Kate’s reaction, it’s not difficult for her to understand, either.

#5: Uncontrollable Passion

When Tom and Kate meet the neighboring Shenks, it seems like the two families couldn’t be more opposite. The rambunctious Baker crowd is poorly mannered compared to Tina, Bill, and their only child Dylan. The Shenks don’t eat fast food, don’t engage in rough play, and don’t do things without permission. Like many people, they’re also taken aback when they discover there are twelve Baker children. Tom tries to break the ice by joking about his and Kate’s spicy intimate life, but it doesn’t really land. Luckily, the comment is vague enough to only be understood by those over a certain age. Beyond that, it’s also another example of the Bakers having less class than their sophisticated neighbors!

#4: The Procedure’s Effectivenessv

After the party at their alma mater and Mike’s subsequent birth, Tom and Kate were keen on avoiding another accidental pregnancy. The medical procedure which itself is a little too mature to explain to young viewers! Because Tom then fainted at the sight of a scalpel, he missed out on his doctor’s very important instructions as a result. If he had heard his surgeon, he would’ve known to refrain from bedroom activity for at least a few weeks. Instead, Kate found herself accidentally pregnant one last time with their second set of twins, bringing their total to a dozen. We’d wager this prompted many adults to listen extra closely the next time they saw their healthcare provider!

#3: Hot Dog

Just because Tom and Kate make a great team doesn’t mean they see eye to eye on everything - or everyone. For instance, they don’t necessarily agree on Tom’s oldest friend. Kate commonly refers to their associate from university as a “hot dog,” a nickname that gets heard and repeated by the smallest of her children. Adults could assume that the pet name isn’t a term of endearment, but rather a stand in for a very different word. If Kate’s going to complain about Tom’s friend, then at least she isn’t teaching her kids profanity in the process!

#2: Conceiving Conventionally

Tom and Kate are used to dealing with inappropriate questions. Still, the family’s matriarch is further put to the test when she begins her book tour. One of her stops is a fictionalized version of “Live,” a program which contemporary viewers know as “Live with Kelly and Ryan.” Those of us who watched morning talk shows back in 2003 remember when Ripa shared the screen with original host Regis Philbin. While he seems almost stunned by Kate’s appearance, Kelly is more interested in the details of her pregnancies. Kate manages the interview with grace and humor, but probably leaves the kids in the audience wondering: where exactly did her children walk out from?

#1: “The Shining” Reference

Unlike many of the other jokes or innuendos found in the movie, this one is a visual reference. Amid the chaos of raising the children while Kate is away, Tom takes refuge from the flying darts and shenanigans in the closet. On the phone, he reassures his wife that their children are behaving. Meanwhile, the twins try to break down the door by impaling it. The moment is reminiscent of that iconic ax scene from “The Shining.” Whether Tom’s afraid of his kids or the deterioration of his own mental health is up for interpretation. But we can only hope that none of the youngins watching knew the 1980 horror flick well enough to grasp the clever reference.