What is the main conflict in Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth?

Cheaper By the Dozen, written by siblings Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, tells the tale of Lillian Moller Gilbreth, Frank Bunker Gilbreth and their progeny. Life is never dull with a dozen children in the house, and the book is filled with delightful adventures and lessons learned in this loving household.

Frank and Lillian are industrial engineers who specialize in motion study. Frank is particularly obsessed with finding the most efficient ways to complete tasks in life and often uses his children as case studies. Lillian is a psychologist who factors human emotions into the science of the mechanics of motion study.

This novel takes an in-depth look into the children's upbringing, focusing primarily on Frank's influence on the family. It highlights family dynamics in annual births, car trips, and summer vacations. The book begins with an introduction to Frank and Lillian, highlighting how much they love children and how they plan to have a big family of six boys and six girls. This actually happens.