Struggling With Big Family Worries?

I have five and am loving it but I get A LOT of support from my husband. It does get better, too, as your older kids get old enough to help. I don’t mean as slave labor, but they genuinely like to do little projects and take the little ones hands when we go to the pumpkin patch, things like that. It warms a momma’s heart to see that. And it makes all the struggles when they were younger worth it. I am with you, Susan, in building a support group for larger families.
.-= Phyllis´s last [post] ..The Handbook of Nature Study 72- The Isabella Tiger Moth Caterpillar or Woolly Bear =-.

I will gladly join the community! I am a mama of 5, with the oldest not quite 8 years old and the youngest being 6 weeks! I was surprised at how easy the transition was from 4 kids to 5 kids as far as the work goes, but I was not at all prepared for the feelings of inadequacy. Goodness. I feel like I’m drowning some days in the guilt of, “Did I do enough?” or “Did I yell too much?” It is so comforting to know there are other mamas out there who not only to talk to, but to pray with! My blog address is http://from-my-life.blogspot.com and my e-mail is two_pogs@verizon.net.
.-= Kristin´s last [post] ..Delicious Autumn =-.

Hi. I’m Kathi Bailey. I have 7 kids. I need a support group.

6arrows.blogspot.com
brianandkathi bailey – Facebook
@aheartlikewater – Twitter
mommy24baileys@gmail.com – email

P.S. Suzanne – you have some really beautiful teeth!!!
Did you have a great day? (I added exclamation points for you:)
.-= Kathi´s last [post] ..Extended Breastfeeding =-.

Well … it’s been 20 years since I’ve ONLY had 5 kids. My 6th child was born when my “older” kids were just 6, 5, 3, 1, 1, :)

I am now the MAMA OF A DOZEN and I wouldn’t want it any other way. My 6 older kids have “flown the coop” and I’m so glad that I didn’t stop at “just 6″.

I’ve been homeschooling for 20+ years … and have at least 10 years left to go (since my 2 youngest are in 3rd grade this year).

I would LOVE to be a support/encouragement to other mamas who have chosen the extra-large-family journey.

Laurel

laurel@ajourneyoffaith.net

http://www.ajourneyoffaith.net (ministry website)

http://www.imghanaadopt.blogspot.com (family blog)
.-= Laurel´s last [post] ..Have You Ever Had One of THOSE Weeks!! =-.

I am a mom of 5 :} Would love to “connect” with other moms with larger families… Thanks for starting this!! :)
.-= Jana´s last [post] ..A trip to the pumpkin patch =-.

Some say I have 5 kids and some say I have 3. Either way I am in a questioning and wondering period because while “everything” points to being done I’m not sure that I am or that God is. (My two oldest were gifts when I got married, now 18 and 19 and momentarily 1200 miles away from us). We planned our 7 year old and our 4 year old, God planned our 1 year old. Now we are in a place of prayer! If it matters my hubby turns 40 next week and I am 35. Are we nuts! Or should I say am I nuts? Loving the idea of a support/ encouragement group. Any of you in south Mississippi or Michigan?

Well, you know we are expecting #6. :-)
My blog is sunshineinourhearts.blogspot.com, although I don’t update all that often lately.
BTW, Crystal announced at playgroup today that she is expecting #5! :-D

I also wanted to mention that if you want to come with Catherine or I to one of the Little Blessing functions (in LR) sometime, there are many moms of 5,6,7,8… :-)

We have 4 living and have lost 7. I can’t have any more children now, but we do plan to foster-to-adopt as soon as we’re able.
I’ve always wanted a large family, but sometimes it feels like I’m not enough. I can work at this thing from the moment I get up until each child is asleep, and it’s still not done– the school plans, house, phone calls. How does it all balance?
A wise woman once told me that God always allows us enough time during the day to accomplish what He wants done.
I just don’t always know what He wants done.
Support group- yes!
.-= Wendy @ Living Creatively´s last [post] ..Pirate ships =-.

and, yes, you do have great teeth! :)
.-= Wendy @ Living Creatively´s last [post] ..Pirate ships =-.

We have 6 plus 2 little girls awaiting us in heaven. We had always planned on having 4 but after our little girl died of leukemia we didn’t know if we should count her as one of the 4 of not- seems silly now and I’m glad that God has such a great sense of humor. After Taryn died I got pregnant with boy #2, then we foster-sdopted boy #3, got pregnant w/ boy #4 (told my dh that it was NOT a good weekend for a little fun), then w/ boy #5. There is a 6 year gap between boy #1 and boy #2 then they follow in 15 months, 22 months, and 18 months. I was done!!!! Coping with 4 little guys and trying to homeschool the oldest and give him a life that included friends who could actually talk made me a little crazy. After a couple of years dh asked if we were done and did we want to do something about being done. I said that I might like one or two more (I’d never before had a terrible two without having a sweet baby to balance it out). So we decided to have one more, I had some complications and almost got put on bed rest so we decided it had to be our last. We never find out what we’re having (partly because I never want to go into labor knowing that its another boy…). We had to have a c-section and when the dr said “It’s a girl” I asked my dh if he was sure :) So we have 5 boys and a spoiled princess and I know that God is hysterically laughing at me.

2 years ago we were in the process of a private adoption w/ the daughter of friends of ours. The baby was stillborn but she’s still our daughter.

I remember the looks on people’s faces when we told them we were pregnant with #4. Apparently some people thought we would be better off growing a second head than having a fourth child. This didn’t help my doubts. I remember wondering if we hadn’t made a mistake. It didn’t help that I battled some serious depression after she was born. I wasn’t quite sure how in the world I was to do everything and keep my sanity. Thankfully I am blessed with a loving husband who understood as best he could. It is also wonderful to know that I’m not alone in my overwhelmed feelings at times. Thankfully God has given us all the strength we need.

I have 4 plus 3 I lost in pregnancy. People do act kind of funny about me having 4 kids and yet that doesn’t seem big to me. Blessings–that what they are (and I do need to be reminded at times).
.-= Rikki´s last [post] ..Mid-October =-.

Hey Suzanne!

Nine children here, but only four officially left at home, so the wonderful news is that those years with so many little ones under your feet does slowly transition into so many big ones who are pretty neat young adults who move away from home. Fortunately they are always a visit, a phone call, or an email away :-)

Love your new header, btw! :-)

Blessings,
Tammy ~@~
.-= Tammy´s last [post] ..the best habit =-.

@ Kathi~ you crack me up in such a special way ;^)
@ Laurel- lovely to see you mama D!!
@ Suzanne-
What a super fantastic idea– I so wish I had this a few years back, lol.

ok, mama to 6 (age 2- 21), not so sure we are quite done yet, but age is becoming a factor, lol. We homeschool (our oldest was not). I adore being a mama, and would love to encourage others along the challenging, but blessed journey.

~Sheri
.-= Sheri´s last [post] .. =-.