So for part of our Christmas this year we decided to take our kids to Disneyland. (More on this later.) While there this man struck up a conversation and he couldn't believe we brought all 5 of our children to Disneyland. Crazy concept - I know - taking ALL of our kids to Disneyland at the SAME time. We thought about making them all draw straws to see who we would leave at home but I couldn't find enough straws... Then we thought about leaving the baby behind but he was free and I can't say no to a bargain.... Just kidding!!!😊
But honestly, I hear this kind of stuff all the time. You should see when I take all of my kids to the grocery store, or better yet, a restaurant by myself. I want to tell people that I have 5 words for them.... I. Can. Read. Your. Lips. 😉
Most of the time it just makes me chuckle. (Unless they say something rude. Then I get irritated.) I know that the majority of the time people just don't understand it because they don't know it. If they knew it they would understand it and find it really isn't that big of a deal. I go through the same things as any other mom regardless of the number of kids they have (unless they have than me - then I just don't know how they do it. Lol 😉)
As I often tell people... It isn't like we got our children all at once. We got them one at a time so we have been able to adjust as we have had each addition. You really just find systems within your family that work for you (and many that don't) and of course you learn what works with the personalities of your children - and to an extent your own personality. I don't get stressed out very easily and neither does my husband. That certainly is beneficial with 5 kiddos. As long as our children are safe we usually just try to go with the flow really and try not to sweat the small stuff.
At one point one lady told me she couldn't have more than 2 children because she was to particular. The crazy thing is I can be very particular as well. I just have to choose my battles. I was told a long time ago (I believe I only had 3 at the time) to never let my vision for how I think something should be trump a relationship. In other words if my child accidentally spills their milk at the dinner table and messes up the table decor that I so thoughtfully (and rarely) laid out I choose not to let that damage my relationship with them just because the spill may have messed up the vision I had for my evening. I want them to remember that I had grace for them in those moments and that I didn't belittle them over something so insignificant such as spilled milk. I hope that sticks with them - I really do.
So... We braved Disneyland with all 5 kids and lived to tell about it. We had a fantastic time and I can't wait to share more about our adventure. 😊
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