Yup, two posts in one evening. When it rains it pours. I often write lovely blog posts in my head when away from my computer than forget when actually able to write them. So who knows how this one will turn out. :pIt is not unusual to get questions about having a large family. (my biggest piece of advice? Throw out the odd socks a couple times a year, a huge stress reliever) One thing we seem to have different from many large families is spacing. Nicole should be 22 by the time peanut #8 is born. I personally do find it challenging to have kids in so many age groups all at once, one minute I am dealing with young adults than another I am down to toddler-hood or grade school. It can feel like mental whiplash! :p But God says He will not give us more than we can handle, I believe it includes this challenge!
But with the challenges , come perks. Help with cooking, cleaning, driving and such is lovely. (Oh, and not having to change diapers when dealing with morning sickness is GREAT!!!)
There are also the heart tugging moments. There is nothing like watching older kids interact with younger siblings. Such as the above picture of Nicole reading to Rebekah and Caleb.
1 comment:
That's a beautiful post! Until you said Caleb I thought you were going to say Seth! Where has the time gone? I don't know that I've even met Caleb.
I hear you on throwing out the socks! Once we finish some painting, etc in the new house we will move from our apartment in Milwaukie to the house in Tigard and I looked sternly into the sock folding basket last night and warned them "find your mate or you become painting rags!" I think I saw a sock or two scamper off! :)
Big families are indeed challenging and rewarding. As one who was 20 when her youngest sibling was born I can pass on that I'm glad to see you thinking about the differences in parenting them; it has an impact on us "firsts" in a long line of blessings. I bet you are doing a great job!
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