There is no denying that reality television is a popular form of entertainment in modern society.
According to PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) News, “It’s estimated that almost 80 percent of adult TV viewers watch reality TV shows.”
While the “reality” portion of this guilty pleasure may be up for debate, portrayals of genuinely natural and authentic individuals on these shows are quite rare.
For Swedish mom Annika Pettersson and her family, being featured in the reality show “The Different Family” was a natural transition from their blog, Drömmen om 11 Barn.
Let’s learn how Annika Pettersson and her large Swedish family blog became an inspiration for parents.
Who is Annika Pettersson?
Annika Petterson is a Swedish preschool teacher who lives in Tidan, outside Skövdeand, in Sweden, with her husband, Conny, of thirteen years (as of 2024) and their thirteen children.
On their thirteenth anniversary, Annika and Conny celebrated on Instagram by sharing that,
“In thirteen years we have passed both mountains and valleys, both light and darkness. Many beautiful moments but also deep sadness and despair.”
When Annika and Conny met, they each had a son. Since marrying, they’ve fulfilled their dream of having eleven children together.
About Drömmen om 11 Barn – The Dream of 11 Children
Upon marrying, Annika and Conny dreamed of having eleven children together.
As their family grew, Annika started The Dream of 11 Children Blog (Drömmen om 11 Barn) in 2014, where she documented the “ups and downs” of life with a large family.
Her goal was to document “Everything from recipes and tips to experiences…even the things that are not rosy.”
Most importantly, she wanted to show that her family lives “like everyone else even though there are more of us.”
The Dream That Launched a Journey
As Annika and Conny’s family grew in pursuit of their dream of having eleven children together, an opportunity presented itself in the form of a reality program.
The Petterssons first appeared in the long-running TV4 reality show, “The Different Family (Familjen Annorlunda),” during the eighth season in 2016.
At the time of their first appearance, the Petterssons had a total of seven children, with the eighth on the way.
The goal of “Familjen Annorlunda” was to show how “families with more children than the norm try to put their life puzzles together.”
The family appeared in the show for two seasons until 2018.
Why Followers Are Hooked
With thirteen children as of 2025, the Petterssons are officially done having children.
Annika posted on Instagram just before giving birth to daughter Charlie in December 2023 via her first C-section that,
“This is the last time this mother’s body gives life to another human being…now we will let the children grow up and let life take us where it takes us.”
Annika has continued to chronicle their life since leaving “Familjen Annorlunda” and having their thirteenth child.
From Easter gatherings to daily walks to sporting events and lifestyle changes, the family is open and honest about sharing their life and activities, proving they are just like any other family trying to survive with love and grace.
The Petterssons have made a strong impact on the Swedish audience with their genuine, no “filters or frills” approach, and it shows in their social media following.
As of June 2025, they have 28.4k followers on Instagram.
To stay up to date on what this unique family of 15 is doing now, take a look at their social media accounts.
Blog: https://nouw.com/drommenom11barn/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drommenom11barn
