Managing a Large Family
I am often asked how I do it all with so many children. “By the grace of God and day by day,” I reply. Prioritizing, discipline and attitude are key, things that do not always come naturally to me.
1. Prioritizing~ This should be an easy one but is a trap we often find ourselves in. Do we find ourselves taking care of the urgent before the most important? Unfortunately the answer is often yes because there never seems to be enough hours in the day.
One tool I have used to help me prioritize and make everything fit into my day is a scheduling system. It helped me to weed out things that were just not going to fit. I do not follow it as strictly as I once did. We eventually fell into more of a routine rather than a strict schedule, however it has been a wonderful aid. It is a system that was designed and put together by a homeschooling mother of eight. So unlike other systems she actually understands the unique demands of the large family. I highly recommend the book Managers of Their Homes by Steven & Terri Maxwell. Found at the following link.
http://www.titus2.com/ecommerce/products/prod_listing.php/1100
2. Discipline~ There is more than one kind of discipline. We must discipline ourselves to stick to our task and not falter. We must also discipline and train our children for obedience. I would rather have a dozen well-disciplined children than the nations average 2 unruly kids.
3. Attitude~ How do you view your life? Are you a deadbeat housewife with no life of her own? Kids are just something you have to have but are an inconvenience to your goals. This is what society would lead you believe. Or do you embrace the calling that God has placed upon you and embrace your children as a blessing? Your attitude effects how you view and live your life. This is an issue that I make elaborate on later.
If you find yourself struggling:
- First & Foremost, Pray
- Prioritize
- Check your attitude
- Be disciplined
God will supply all you need to raise and manage the family He has given you and that you have been blessed to recieve.
Phl 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Posted in Homeschooling, Quiverfull
March 13th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
good for me to read…especially the scheduling and routine part. This is our first year homeschooling and I am trying very hard to develop a working routine….