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…
Daily Pick Ups Maintain Order in Our Large Family
A daily pick up is a must if we want to maintain a certain level of neatness in our large family. Daily pick ups ensure that the general areas of the house is mostly neat. And when everyone chips in the chore is a quick one to do. But it also means that there must be a designated place for stuff. Read more … Read more…
All these Children in Our Large Family
I can’t even start to guess the number of times we have had to field comments such as, “Have you always wanted a large family?” and the one that makes Henson and I laugh most, “You must love children very much!” We have all these children because sometime back when we had 2 children, we chose to trust God with our family size and spacing. Read more…
If I Can, You Can, Too!
So, lately I have heard the same thing over and over while reading up on blogging and health: If I can do it, you can too! Er…Nope. Yes, please do share your take on how something worked for you, but please do not think it is THE solution for the whole world. Because there is no one product or procedure that works for everyone. Read more…
Kitchen Equipment for Our Large Family
After the post on grocery shopping and cooking for our larger than average-sized family, you must be curious about the size and type of kitchen equipment we use to facilitate cooking for our family. You must be wondering if we have an industrialised-sized kitchen or perhaps restaurant style woks and pots? Read more…
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…
Homeschool Paperwork in Our Large Family
Keeping up with homeschool paperwork fail. I will always start out with the greatest intention of keeping on top of all the paperwork homeschooling generates. But I fail. Every single academic year. I have no idea why I can keep on top of things in the house but not paperwork though. But I try, and try again! Read more…
No Snacking in Our Large Family
Just like the idea that juice and Ribena are a good healthy idea, I used to think kids needed snacks all day long. Well, they may when they are very young but snacks are not necessary as they grow up. And then snacking tends to become a habit which isn’t really healthy in the long run. Read more … Read more…
Constant De-Cluttering is a Necessity in Our Large Family
After managing the house for the past 23 years, I have learnt that one of the best ways to keep on top housekeeping stuff besides setting up systems and routines is to constantly declutter. 9 people under 1 roof means I need to be ruthless about it too. Otherwise our stuff will overwhelm us! Read to find out how I keep things under control – mostly. Read more…
Family Devotions in Our Large Family
Is it only our family or do other families struggle with family devotions too? Although there has been much improvement over the l-o-n-g years, our attempts at doing a regular family devotion has continued to keep us (Henson and I) humbled. In other words, we don’t do it regularly nor do we always do it with joy… Read more…