Large Families - St Richard's Corner

Mother of seven with three grandbabies.They are ages 22,19,18,18,17,14,13,2,1,5 months.Need advice on finding finacial help we are in jepordy of losing our electricity but I keep my faith in our lord.Many blessings Robin

Those are some great suggestions! The only one I have read is the Duggars. It was a blessing even though I do not follow all of their advice, and their barbecue tuna recipe is actually really good. I'll have to check out the others though. Taking notes...

Interesting concept!

Oh to live our Faith in this world is so hard. My response since our third is always: "Oh we are open to as many blessings as God will let us borrow from Him." I have found that answer will either make people think or make them be quiet. Because honestly it is none of their business.

If they start on about being able to afford them. I will say something to like whenever God sends us another, blessings come from all around.

Even if the person is not religious, always speak the truth. You never know when you will plant a seed that will take root.

Wow, two sets of triplets! I'm impressed. I always wonder how mom's of twins do it. I can just imagine how many comments you must get! Congratulations on all your blessings!

I found about Managers of their Homes from a few Christian friends. It has some wonderful ideas for scheduling your day. It very much a protestant book though. One day I was reading one of the Catholic Blogs that I follow and there was a link to A Mother's Rule of LIfe. I ordered that book and it has been wonderful. She mentions MOTH in there, but has adapted it a Catholic Family lifestyle.

The other big thing is menu planning and having LARGE pantry. Here is a link to my blog that cover that entire topic if you are interested.

In any marriage you will have ups and downs. And when you have lot of children it always seems like couple time gets pushed to the back burner, especially with a lot of littles in the house.

Early on it was harder, but once the children entered school we would go out for breakfast dates. Since we have older children now it is not too hard, they know that twice a month mom and dad go out and they are expected to baby sit for us. And no they are not paid, just part of being in the family. (After all I run them around to all their activies so they can take some time for me.)

We also enforce an early bedtime here, even for the teens. The 4 middles have to be in bed by 7:30. The two teens are in their rooms by 8:30 (they can read until 9). The two year olds are in bed at nine. Once naps are a thing of the past they are in bed by 7:30 too.

Once everyone is in bed it is time for DH and to connect. We talk about our days, watch a movie or tv show. Sometimes we even go to be early too.

I have to admit that my husband and I had not given this nearly enough thought when we were expecting our second child. (We planned homebirths after our first was nearly born in the car enroute to the hospital.) Fortunately, my 19-year-old sister-in-law just happened to be staying with us that weekend. (She became our new son's godmother and, 16 years later, his confirmation sponsor. She also went on to marry and have 7 children of her own.)
For #3, we had a friend come by with her children and spend the evening, but the baby wasn't born until the wee small hours of the following morning; 4 1/2-yr-old daughter and nearly-2-yr-old son were asleep in an adjoining room. My husband woke them up to show them their new brother, but they went straight back to sleep and had no memory of it when they woke up several hours later.
With #4, we had a scary medical emergency which necessitated an unplanned trip to the hospital. Same friend as before came to the house in the middle of the night and made breakfast for the first 3 when they got up in the morning.
After that scare, #5 was born in the hospital. The others went to a babysitter's house.
#6 was born at home; by that time, oldest daughter was 13 1/2 and had the others outside playing while their newest sister was being born.
#7 also born at home; similar situation.
#8 again born in hospital, due to my mistaken idea that I would rest better there. Ha! If I had it to do again, I'd have her at home, too.
Don't hesitate to ask for help from people you trust. People really love to help out. (That's been my experience, anyway.)

I have been married for 12 years as of 25/5/09.
My advice is .......
1.Every time you see your wife, tell her that she is beautiful!
2.Hug her now and then!
3.Make it known that she is Perfect in every way.
4.Tell her that she is the best a man can get.
5.Give her what she wants .
6.Tell her that our kids are beautiful like she is.
7.Give her a massage now and then.
8.Tell her that you are nothing without her in your life.
9.Tell her that 'I love you" every time you talk on the phone.

Any other suggestions , feel free to add!
These are practiced everyday , I love her to death!