I wouldn't say we have a mega family (yet). Five Children? (the pictures are missing Lilly). Well, recently I have been "dealing" with various things going on in our life. I must say that between Darrel, myself, and our children... our life is good. We have the normal family strife (related to those mentioned) ... kids cry and complain, the house is a disaster on a regular basis, laundry piles come and go and come again, we've been sick, we've been well... all pretty normal.
The following cut and paste sums up some recent dealings:
The Joy of Large Families
Big Families of All Sizes Welcome Here!
If anyone has ever said to you, "Are they all yours?", "Wow, how do you manage so many?", or "Are you Catholic or Mormon?", then you officially have a Big Family.
Resources, tips, practical help, support, and encouragement from parents with just as many children as you have (or more!). Large families have to do things differently. They experience higher highs and lower lows. Life is just more intense with lots of children.
When the package feeds 6, and you have seven.
When you feel overwhelmed.
When the laundry pile is bigger than the laundry room.
When each of your kids requires a different teaching strategy.
When you face unkind attitudes over your just discovered (and wanted) pregnancy.
When your older kids leave home, and no one understands why so many kids at home now feels like so few.
When you are frustrated over being told how to manage your large family by people with one or two kids who just don't have a clue.
With respect to the Freeman Family... this particular situation has gained popularity:
When you face unkind attitudes over your just discovered (and wanted) pregnancy.
It's a small number of people who have been unkind but, those few... really make me sad. :(
"You're crazy!"
"OMG!"
"You don't have to populate the entire world by yourselves you know"
"What, are you trying to win some contest...?"
"Are you trying to be like that Duggar family?"
"So, how many do you plan on having?"
"Hasn't anyone told you how to prevent that from happening again?"
And the ultimate comment that really sends me reeling...drum roll please!
"Was this planned?" I really dislike that question and if it is a thought... please... don't verbalize it.
So... we are expecting baby #6 in July...
and we're happy about it!
The vast majority responds this way:
"You are blessed!"
"Congratulations!"
"You've earned your angel wings!"
"God Bless you!"
"They are all so beautiful, you are one lucky lady"
"That's wonderful!"
"Wow, you guys are amazing"
"If you need anything, please let me know"
"We're so happy for you!"
"That's great!"
Each of our children have come one at a time (including Corey and Nic, they were born 4 minutes apart) and we have welcomed each of them happily. They are not a lump sum as if to say "We want 6". They are not accidents or mistakes. They have brought us joy and we feel blessed to be their parents. A gentleman in my dance class was so excited for us to have another child. He said,
"We only had two and they are 27 and 25 now but, I had the best time with them... I loved it! When they were home, those were some of the best times of our life."
I love talking to people like this who are so positive about their families and grateful for the experience of parenthood. Did he have to tell me all the troubled times and difficulties? No. We all know they exist. He chose to express his overwhelming love for his children and the great experience it was to be their dad. There are moments like this that give me a boost. Just as the Megafamilies.com states, it is overwhelming at times but, I would not trade any of it!
Two nights ago after putting the kids to bed, Darrel had been upstairs and he had several fun and funny conversations with the kids before they fell asleep. When we came downstairs he said, "I love our little family".
Me too.
