This is somewhat a “part two” of me sharing what it’s like to raise 5 children. I love it. My children are so fun and friendly; they’re just darn sweet. They’re going to be my buddies who are my height, or taller, one day! For now, they’re my small people and I love them and look forward to when they’re raising their own families one day!
Ok, let’s talk: Some days, I really struggle and I am like… “What did I get myself into?!” <— but that lasts but a moment.
Raising 5 children especially 5 that are 9 years old and under means I’m constantly questioning: am I enough? Did I do xyz right? Did I mess so and so up?! The questioning and insecurity grows (at times!) The pain is just too real! *insert stress emoji and crying emoji*
I’m constantly connecting and teaching and training and coaching. I often feel confident then insecure, and again: confident then insecure, and that rollercoaster is not fun but I place my hope and confidence not in myself but in God, the Father, the Creator of the world.
Today, our two oldest had a little fight (among many “little fires” to put out). We had to address it!! Thank God for my husband, who has a good heart, his tone and intention paved this path of communication. He addressed what was not right, what it made him feel and what he wanted next time.
Oh the classroom of life and parenting; I am usually trying to keep wonder alive and keep my cool… it is a lonely road, it is exhausting, it is constant…
Parenting five is this tight-rope walk of majestic and stressful! Could you imagine setting up a tight-rope walk above the Niagra falls… the mists hitting you yet setting your sights on the end and the training you’d do to make sure you’re physically and mentally ready?!
Raising five children is a sacred ground! I find myself trying to teach them to fellowship: “you’re connected to one another.” I’ll get them to rethink: “we are to be at peace so when there is a quarrel or bitterness, we must get to the root.”
On a practical note: raising five for me, means no such thing as 6:30 or 7pm bedtime, ever, and that is totally ok. We are not that family! We are very much easy going…Try to pin us into a routine: you might not find one! haha. So, raising five means limited time possibly with my husband or each kid but we’re learning to juggle that one-on-one time and be intentional. We set our eyes on what we want and pray for that blessedness.
Another thing with us in our home: we have a small home and our children are very much connected to us… with that you’ll find they co-sleep. The kids sleep next to one another and next to us. We never managed all to their own bed (for too long) and their own space. They really just want to be with us! As I write: I had three asleep in the bed (and will be with me when baby boy stirs in a couple of hours).
You’ll find that parenting one, two, three, or five: it is so difficult but you and I are not meant to lean on our own strength and understanding… Here is a proverb:
Proverbs 3:5-6
New International Version
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.[a]
My tidbits on parenting is unique for my family… however, my values of parenting boil down to these:
**Understand and know each child
**Love and teach them to love
**Create a safe and connected space for each children
**Show them a life of contentment and gratitude
**Live out of knowing who I am (who we are) and whose we are
**Laugh and play, life is very hard as it is… enjoy one another and the place and space together
I hope you enjoyed hearing about how wild my life is… I’ll share some more in the weeks to come. Blessings!
Abundant Mommyhood 