As I write and share how things are done in our large homeschooling family, I am overcome with gratitude to the Lord. As you know in Why So Many Children, I did not want to even have one child and yet God has changed my mind and heart to accept as many as He sends. And in doing so, He has stretched and grown me so much. Read more…
Family
Choosing Battles Wisely in Our Large Family
I have learnt through parenting 7 children with very different personalities that it is critical that we do not major on the minors. I pick my battles wisely and then I stand my ground on those issues. Indeed, not many issues are not worth dying for. But for those that are, like things pertaining to their safety or health, I will not budge. Read more…
Dishing Out Advice When You Have a Large Family
There are lots of people out in the Internet world dishing out advice on anything and everything. And I know that people expect that someone with more children than them to be wiser than them. But that is not necessarily true. I have two pieces of advice for you. Especially as you walk through the teen years with your children. Read more … Read more…
Different Personalities in Our Large Family
Once you have more than one child, you cannot help but observe how different they both are. So, when you have 7, the differences can be super glaring. Sure, there would be some similarities. But each child is so unique that I constantly marvel at God’s handiwork in their lives. How can children from the same 2 parents be so different? Read more…
Instituting Quiet Times (not the Devotional Type) in Our Large Family
Naps are critical for the children and me. So what happens when they transitioned out of naps? No, they are not allowed to run amok, there are babies who still need to nap. Instead, they are required to have 30 minutes of quiet time. No, not the devotional type but to play or read QUIETLY in their cot/bed/room. Read to find out more. Read more…
Noise in Our Large Family is Par for the Course
NOISE, lots and lots of it. Noise in a large family is most certainly par for the course. Most days I don’t mind the noise and actually love it. It shows that the children enjoy each other’s company and have loads to share with each other. Better noise than deathly silence in my opinion. So I developed ways to deal with sensory overload. Read more…
Systems Make All the Difference
Yes, a large family creates more mess than a small one… But, a large family also has more hands to help out. I learnt early on that life in a large family with no extra help, requires having systems in place. Systems make all the difference. They are what what makes or breaks the running of the household. Read more…
Attending Church as a Large Family
The Lord’s Day. A day to worship the Lord and be with God’s family. And yet, attending church with a large family can be often everything but that. But mom in the trenches, keep keeping on! Because soon you WILL get to sit and listen to the sermons. You WILL get to chat with other adults without being interrupted. Hang in there! Read more…
Who Are You?
Who are you? How differently do you behave with the different groups of people you interact with? Will your children or husband be shocked when they see you in different environments? Do they truly know you? Do our private and public personas match? Read more…
8 Tips for When You Have a Baby and Toddler Combo
Many times, as a parent of ONE child, we worry about adding another child to the family. How are we ever going to cope, we wonder? And many times people will offer helpful advice such as “get a maid” and/or “send the toddler to childcare/pre-school”. I share 8 tips on how to not just survive but thrive with the baby and toddler combo, without resorting to employing a maid or putting your older child in childcare, unless you really want to. Read more…