"4 Moms, 35 Kids: How Moms of Many Manage"

Kim, mom of 10, over at Life in a Shoe, has joined with 3 other "moms of many" to share how in the world they stay afloat! This has been so helpful for a new mom like me! I find myself wondering throughout the day, when the 18-month-old is waking up from a nap wanting lunch and the 7-month-old needs a diaper change and his meal as well (and there's 10 loads of clean unfolded laundry on the couch, like now [did I just admit to that?]), how in the world I'll ever manage with (Lord willing!) 3 kids ... 6 kids ... 8 kids ... 10 kids!

The most encouraging part for me came fairly early on in the series:

After those early years of madcap panic trying to get through the days and weeks and months with all the members of the family receiving at least a meal a day and a bath a week, now I'm surrounded by helpers with able bodies and sound minds. I have 7 children who can tie their own shoes, and what's more they can find and tie shoes for those who can't....

My main purpose in explaining this is to encourage mothers whose children are all or mostly below the age of shoe-tying. Your days will get easier. You will, someday, struggle more with the temptation to laziness than the temptation to fall into a teary heap on the kitchen floor because there's just not enough time in the day to do the absolute bare necessities.

Hmmm ... that last part (the "teary heap on the kitchen floor" part) sounds a little like me sometimes. Or at least, the way I'm tempted to be when I'm overwhelmingly overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done in a day just to keep things functioning! Thankfully, I have an encouraging, helpful husband who urges me to "rejoice evermore" (1 Thessalonians 5:16), even when things get tough (and when the word "rejoice" is honestly the last thing I want to hear). And I know that our home will be a happier, more uplifting and refreshing place if Mommy is bright and cheerful.

Little Tait and Miles will grow up all too quickly, and I know I'll miss their baby days. But if they're trained well, they'll be able to help me with chores and with the new little ones!

Meantime, Kim at Life in a Shoe, Connie at Smockity Frocks, Kimberly at Raising Olives, and "The Deputy Headmistress" at The Common Room all have helpful, practical tips to share about everything from scheduling to cooking to homeschooling to shopping with little ones!