Large Family Management 101

Now don’t think that I’m suggesting I could teach such a class…oh, no, I’m still trying to figure out how to manage our newly expanded family of six. (Large to some, but still on the small side to others!)  I do know though, one principle that a lot of very large families adopt is that of the older children helping with the younger ones…

That, my friends, is money in the bank…cha-ching!  Sunday morning is the most hectic time in my week.  Dave leaves the house at six a.m. to prepare for leading worship at our church, so, yes, that means I need to get four kids ready for church all by myself!  I had getting three kids ready down to a science, but when Phoebe came along she messed everything up. 

A couple Sundays ago, as I sat down to nurse Phoebe, with about 25 minutes to spare before church started, I did a mental checklist of what had to happen before we left.  Just then I spotted Noah, still in his diaper.  I added “get Noah dressed” to the checklist!  Then a crazy thought crossed my mind, and I said, “Elijah, can you get Noah dressed?” just to see what would happen. 

About ten minutes later, Elijah led Noah out of his room all dressed…in an outfit that even matched!  So again, this past Sunday, I assigned Elijah the same task, and snuck in with the camera to get a photo.  I was amazed at how obediently Noah followed Elijah’s instructions!  Wow!

Since Phoebe’s been born, I’ve been asked a lot, “So how is it?”  To which I respond, “Very, very busy, but usually managable.”  Yes, it’s usually managable…there are moments in every day though, that are crazily out of control…when Phoebe is fussing because it’s getting close to her feeding time, Noah is crying petulantly because he wants to “play” in the fridge (which he just discovered he can open), and I’ve said that he can’t, Zeke is begging me to play a board game with him, and Elijah wants me to help him spell “mechanic,” and many other words for his story.  Aaaah! 

On the flip side, I also have some down time everyday…when Phoebe is sleeping peacefully between feedings, Noah is down for his nap, and Elijah and Zeke are playing aimiably at the park across the way.  Thank you Lord!  Which leads me to my final thought on “large family management”… try to keep your cool during those insane moments – they will pass – and savor the peaceful times while you can!