Moms with big families might look like super mom from the outside, but there are lots of things we CAN’T do that allows us to do the things we NEED to do!
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In this episode:
- How I handle volunteer opportunities.
- The only thing I have to apologize for (and how I avoid it in the first place).
- Why introverts and extroverts matter when it comes to being a large family mom.
Resources mentioned:
- Podcast #95 – Color Coded Kids
Nicole Hennigan says
I just listened to the “Things Large Family Moms Can’t Do” podcast, and I think I appreciated it the most of all of yours that I have been blessed to listen to!
After our ninth child arrived, I finally started telling my friends or people at church that I was doing something with: Please know that I am recognizing my faults and I tend to forget things and I tend to be late and get distracted. I try really hard, but these are the things I am working on, please be patient with me. 🙂
Somehow it seems like by recognizing that and even pointing it out ahead of time to others I am close to has helped them not get irritated with me and has even helped me to focus and try to improve.
Hearing another Large Family Mother say she is dealing with these same issues was so very refreshing and encouraging! I am not just a failure who can’t handle life but rather a mother with her hands and time happily full. 🙂
Even though I am more of an extrovert, I also get very stressed about outside activities, lots of crafts (or science projects), or having others count on me to be somewhere and take kids here or there, etc. I just can’t handle that pressure very well and activity messes are very large and a big production when so many people/littles are involved! 🙂
This was so helpful to hear!
May God Bless you and your family!
Nicole
Amy says
Thank you, Nicole for saying all of this – what a blessing to have your feedback on this podcast! And yes, I do think it helps others to know WHY we do (or don’t do) the things we do!
Kayla says
Thank you for this podcast! Sometimes it’s just nice to hear someone else say all the things you are thinking. I’ve got 8 children and so I totally agreed with the fun things for others not being so fun for us. I LOVE fenced in backyard visits- no need to worry about where anyone is! We are the biggest family we know of in our church/ town, so of course no one else understands the logistics of being a family of 10. I always appreciate your insight into large family living! Thanks again for your wonderful thoughts!
Amy says
Fences for the win! lol Isn’t it nice to know you’re not alone (and you can always point people to this podcast if they don’t get it!)
Diana says
This was great, Amy! Thank you!
I love the part about introverts/extroverts. It’s so true. I once had an (extroverted) friend tell me her itinerary for one day: running errands, story time at the library, lunch out with Dad, afternoon at the zoo, dinner out with friends, then out for a movie. Fifteen years later, I’m still uptight/overwhelmed/depressed just thinking about a day like that, but for her, it was heavenly!
I completely agree with all of your points. We don’t have a particularly large family (six kidlets), but I fully agree with each point. I actually started feeling this way several children ago! There is just a huge difference between one/two-children homeschooling and homeschooling larger families.
I’ve been feeling very overwhelmed lately, so this podcast was a lovely blessing. More along these lines (that is, what not to do, or what to refuse to do) would be awesome!
Have a great week!
Amy says
Yes, your friend’s day sounds EXHAUSTING! lol (and my dear, 6 kids is definitely a large family!) Never hesitate to email me when you’re feeling overwhelmed! I get it!
Jessica Perez says
Yes! Absolutely-do you live in my brain? Lol. I’m an introverted, homeschooling mom of 11, and every single word in this podcast could have come straight out of my mouth! I would add one more: That, while we appreciate that others love our company, and we understand that sometimes it is out of anyone’s control-(and spontaneity can be fun sometimes), we CANNOT have everyone ready to attend your invite that is one hour from now (or whatever the case may be!). If it is hard for us to be on time for our regularly scheduled activities, then it is almost impossible to get to a last minute invite, no matter how much we would like to! BUT!!! We still do love that we are thought of and appreciate everyone’s understanding that we just can’t make it happen.
Now, I need to have all of these points condensed and made into cards to hand out to people so I’m not having to explain myself all of the time, lol!
Amy says
Ha! The cards would be great!