I got yet another private message on my Facebook page this week — asking me how I do it all, how I do so much with so many children, and whether or not having so many children is worth it. These kinds of messages break my heart. And speak to me on so many levels. And remind me once again that I need to be more transparent when I write.
Because I don’t do it all. We can’t.
Because I don’t do “so much” with “so many” children. It just looks like it because my readers see all the best parts.
Because having lots and lots of children is a blessing. Always. Even when I get discouraged by stacks of laundry, stacks of dishes, and wet carseats. And yes, my five-year-old twins still occasionally have accidents in the car. Sigh.
So this post is not about being perfect, it’s about being imperfect and saved by Grace. Cause that’s what I am. Here’s a glance at my imperfect day:
- One child threw an absolute fit no less than three times over the course of the day and only got his schoolwork done in the end because big brother offered him the “prize” of one-on-one play time.
- One child snuck around pretending to do work and eventually had to lose an iPod until the work was finished and she’d had a shower.
- One child came downstairs wearing the same clothes he had already worn for two days and two nights. I made him get a bath and change.
- I snapped at my children at least three times.
- I’m going to bed with dishes on the counter.
- I just folded three loads of laundry and we have at least three more to be folded upstairs. And about five more to be washed. And that’s a good laundry day.
- I spent four hours running errands with various children while various teens babysat the other children. That’s the joy of having multiple teens.
- The trash needs taken out and the lid won’t close.
- We ordered pizza for supper.
Here are a few things you should know about blogging moms:
- Blogging moms regularly purchase pictures for their blogs. We don’t all have perfectly-groomed, perfectly-sized children in perfectly clean homes. And we don’t all look like Barbie dolls either.
- Blogging moms focus on the positive because they assume that’s what you want to read. We don’t encourage anyone with posts about dirty laundry piling up again.
- Blogging moms don’t talk negatively about family members on a public forum — so you won’t read about the hard parts. We don’t want our teenagers to be mad at us for airing the dirty laundry.
- Bloggers make mistakes. Every day. Just like you.
Ladies, no matter how it looks when you visit Facebook, read blogs, or check your Instagram feed — life happens to everybody. Nobody’s perfect. We aren’t here to be perfect — we are here to be in relationship. And if we spend our whole lives focusing on our own imperfections –we will miss our purpose.
Your imperfections are not what matter!
How can you focus more on relationship today?
Teresa says
May 5, 2014 at 2:37 PMI have 6 beautiful children also. My kids age range from 22 all the way down to 8. My husband and I have been married for just over 23 years. I use to get asked some of those same questions and I always looked at the others and said who would of been without if we stopped at least children. Some days all of our chores are done other days they are not. We always have at least 3 to 4 loads of laundry to wash and many more to fold and try to put away. My kids have always had me by there side no matter what I have always said if my kids want me to sit and play a game then that is what we are doing that day or for a short time. They always come first and are the greatest that God has given me.
so to all of their questions and comments good job and good luck. Keep doing what you are doing if others think you have it easy they are blind and you are doing a great job. We have had some think that my kids had money just because they were dressed nicely but we are not they just take care of the things that they earn or are given.