Tips for Parenting a Large Family

There are a few things that I knew I would forego for a few years while raising my children. I think all parents know that when they decide to have kids. It's normal. It's average. It's expected. Having six children is no longer normal, average or expected.

This actually makes me sad. Our family size was a typical one not so long ago. I hear many women speak of how they can not afford more children, that one I understand. Yes money is tight, right now, for us it's tighter than it has been in the past. I'm trying to stay home with my kids and it's not going so well in the checkbook department.

I have no expectations of the people I meet that I will not extend myself. I judge no one for the size of their family. That is such a personal choice, why would anyone think that they have the right to judge? I don't make assumptions as to why someone chooses to have one child. One of the most respectful things a person can do is to choose not to have children if they don't wish to. I think that it's a noble thing, and I believe that the world might be a better place if those who do not want to embrace parenting, absolutely did not bother.

With all of that said, my large family results in a lot of laughter in my life. For those of you who do not know me well, I have three sons, ages 21,17 and 14, Mark came into my life nine years ago, and together we have three daughters ages 8,7 and 5. For one month out of the year, the girls are actually sequential ages. It makes for a fun thing to say. People looked at me oddly during August.
Eh, let's face it. People look at me oddly no matter what.

I have other friends who's children are closer in age, and they tend to come under more fire. I have sought out other large families, because it's hard to find people who understand when they have not lived it. I have a friend who has had a baby every year but one for the past 6. Her kids are all literally stair stacked. That's more than I could ever bear.