Large Family Q&A

• Do you ever feel you don't get enough individual time with each child?
  
  a few years ago Joe came up with an idea to have each child have a special night. 5 nights a week we rotate for one child to stay up after the others. We have a snack, and they can just have their own time.. we may play a game or they may do a project etc. I also try to take an older child to work with me. We will also run errands etc. I take every opportunity to be one on one. 

  
  
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   How do you keep everything organized and easily found like sneakers, coats, especially wintertime? 
  I have "systems". For example clothes: we have a family closet and all laundry goes in there. Each child has 7 outfits for weekly wear and 2 Sunday outfits. We have those stacking plastic storage drawers for socks/undies/pj's.they each have their own for pj's. Socks are sorted by age, ex girls socks in one, 2 older boys on one, middle boys in another.  Each week one older child and their partner are put in charge of that room.. it is their job to make sure it stays neat. Being responsible helps them understand the importance of keeping it tidy. We have a coat rack and we put gloves and hats in a milk crate. Shoes go on an over the door shoe rack.
  
  
  How do you keep up with laundry? And putting it away! 
  
  I do 2 loads a day. One for clothes and one for towels and blankets. I start one in the am as I am starting breakfast. I do the second load as it it needed. Once its dry I put it on the couch and everyone grabs their and their partners clothes and put them away. I put up towels and blankets etc. I try not to get too far behind. When we have to do the laundromat thing laundry is harder as we have to put up several loads at once. 

  
  
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  How did you come to the decision to have a large family? Is it a conscious decision? Or do you simply let God bless you when He will?
  
  I used to dream of a large family as a child. My mom grew up in a family of 10. I just thought that would be amazing. I never had a realistic ideal of a number tho as an adult. Jacob was the first after 2 m/c. I was just grateful to have 1. When people asked Joe would say 7. I always say one at a time. We dont plan or prevent. 

  
  
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   How do you keep them from mutiny!? Because, as you know, they far out number you. lol
  When there were less of them and they were little it was easier. But we implemented rules and discipline early and we were both in agreement. As they got older we did realize they needed more than just "because mom and dad said so". So we accepted God into our lives. So now we have "because mom and dad said so" with Heavenly Father's plan to back us up. Its working so far!
  
  
  
  
  

  How do large families make it on only 1 income?

  I always tell people, "Children aren't expensive, lifestyles are expensive." We shop deals, I use coupons and find the cheapest foods I can, we eat what's on sale. We buy used most everything second hand. Most of our furniture and clothes is from donations, freecycle, craigslist etc. We just live as simply as we can. 

  
  

  There are also alot of expenses that stay stagnant, regardless of family size. For example we live in a 3 bedroom house. Whether we have a family of 10 or 4, we use the same sq footage.. same rent. The elec bill isn't much more. same heat is used, same appliances. It doesn't cost more for a fridge to run if a large family is using it. Phone and internet costs the same.. It not that much more of an increase in expenses. 

  
  

  We do activities but we find ones that are affordable. The annual zoo pass for us is about $100. We just find things that are cheap. We like going for drives thru the country. So we pack a lunch and spend $30 for gas and go. Its fun for everyone and not that costly.

  
  

  
  

  What are your beliefs on birth control?

   I think children are a blessing and should be welcomed. I feel that there is a breakdown in the importance of having children and families and society is more accepting of abortion than large families. I am not opposed to most types of birth control. I do not feel that any "after the fact" type of birth control is appropriate. Personally I will not use any chemical type ie the pills, shots etc. We agreed long ago that we would never consider surgical options for myself. We considered that option for Joe years ago but have decided that is no longer an option. We prefer natural methods such as charting, if we are to choose any at all.