The Lord has blessed my husband and me with eight children. When the kids were younger, and we went places as a family, we would see heads turning as they mentally counted, "1,2,3…" We also got lots of comments like, "Are they ALL yours?!" Often people would say to me, "You must have a lot of patience." The truth is that I've run out of patience with those types of comments. The world looks at people with large families and says, "You're crazy!" But God says children are a heritage and reward. According to the Bible, children are a blessing or gift from the Lord. The world is telling us many myths about large families. Here are some of the common myths I have heard often:
You can't afford to have a large family today.
The Bible tells us that God will supply all our needs. Many times people who say this really mean they can't have a large family AND the high standard of living they desire. God says, "And having food and raiment, let us be content." We found it was a huge blessing to see God supply our needs, and also to have to trust Him for those needs. Our kids have seen God supply, and have learned to trust Him as a result. Maybe we can't afford the best of everything, but we feel blessed to have eight gifts from the Lord.
My kids drive me crazy! I can't get everything done!
Usually the folks saying this are giving away the fact that they aren't disciplining their children, and they are too busy with themselves! Yes, my kids drive me crazy sometimes too, but I've found over the years that has usually been the case when I'm too busy doing what I want to get done, and I resent being bothered. Other times it's because I've slacked off on discipline, and am not requiring instant obedience.
I always enjoyed going out to eat when the kids were younger. We got a log of stares due to our large group, but often as we were leaving, we heard comments like, "Your kids are so well behaved!" People aren't used to seeing kids that mind are pleasant to be around. Therefore, they believe several kids would drive you crazy!
As for, "How do you get everything done?", the world looks at children and sees WORK. Yes, much work is involved. But, I see them as workers! If you train your kids to help, you are able to manage things easier, and they learn character. You're also training them to work for the Lord!
I get so bored, and feel unfulfilled just being a mother.
I remember when a young lady from church told me that when she had children she planned to stay home with them, and quit working. In response to that, a friend had told her, "You'll stay home for awhile, but then you'll get bored!" Well, that's true IF you feel that raising kids isn't serving God, and isn't of eternal value. And yes, you may feel ‘unfulfilled" IF you expect to accomplish all your goals.
Here's God's answer. Get excited about molding and training Godly children! What an opportunity and what a challenge! Do all you can to learn how to train your kids in God's way. Rather than being ‘bored", you'll find that you are growing as you look to God for help and wisdom, and as you die to self to meet the needs of those children.
All of these myths stem from the idea that children are a bother, not a blessing. As Christian parents may we replace that worldly attitude with the idea that what we're doing is a Godly investment. The Bible says we will reap what we sow. We are sowing to reap men and women who will be spiritual warriors and give their lives to serve God. What a blessed privilege!
I couldn't agree more! It is so refreshing to "meet" (even if it is over the internet) other parents who are of like mind when it comes to children. Thanks for sharing this!
Hi, Kathie! I just found your blog through the UBP and I am so excited! We have five beautiful kiddos and it's our passion to train them up well, which includes, of course, purity and the courtship mindset. Most of them are still little, but we're already trying to work on it with them.
I'm so grateful to be reading posts from a mama who has already been through it and is willing to share her wisdom with the rest of us.
Blessings,
Jamie @ One Blessed Lady
Ooh that hit home that I "resent being bothered" I could stand to be more intentional with my kids for sure and way to go you for defending your way of life! We have two and likely will only have two unless he changes things up big time but I am starting to realize when a believer is submitted to him the life he has for us is the best one possible!
Thank you for this post! I whole heartedly agree with every point as that is how we run our family as well! (6 kiddos thus far). I too agree that raising my kiddos is a gift from God and I don't take that lightly. Thank you for sharing! (visiting from UBP)
Blessings
Jenn
http://www.treasuringlifesblessingsblogspot.com
Thank you for sharing your story,I am a Mom of 9 and people will either say "Are you crazy?" My reply is "No I am truly blessed!" or "You must be a saint !" My reply is "No I am only human and the Lord only gave me what He felt I could handle."
AMEN! I am Mommy to 5 grown children and the thing people always said to us that bugged me was, 'How will you ever afford to pay for college for all of them?' Well God provided that too! Four out of five had full tuition scolarships and the other one co-oped and paid his way through. Our God will supply and we never did without!
Amen! As the mother of 6 children myself, I get the same stares and questions, and I agree with you on every point. I found it amusing that you said something about eating out. We don't do it often (it is really expensive with all of the children) but we were out with my husband's parents last week. When the children finished eating, our older kids took the younger ones outside to look in store windows while we adults finished out coffee, paid the checks, and collected our personal belongings. After the kids left, a gentleman came over and tapped my husband on the shoulder. "I'm sorry to interrupt your breakfast," he said, "but I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed watching all of your well-behaved children."
I guess that both the number AND their discipline are spectacles now!
Thanks for sharing.
Latisha
confessionsofamartha.blogspot.com
Psalm 127 is one of my favorite verses. I hear these myths all the time. The biggest is the expense one. My mother talks about it all the time. I hope we are blessed with that many "arrows". Thanks for linking up at Mom's Library!
Featuring you today at Mom's Library!
if I had $1 for every time someone asked me if I was gonna get fixed I would be rich! of course, nothing is broken.
Hello, I have a small family, and I hope you won't mind if I mention a myth about large families that I have heard from large families. That is, "Large families can't take care of children the way you take care of your one child." I have been told this about
-preventing my child from watching television before age 2
-feeding my child a healthier diet than the American standard
-staying with my child until he fell asleep each night and nap when he was a baby and toddler
-playing with my child, or pushing him on a swing at the playground
-reading aloud to my child every day
-using cloth diapers
-not spanking
-insisting that he wash his hands before eating.
Sometimes it's been a total stranger who sees me doing something with my son in a public place and butts in to say condescendingly, "He's your only child, isn't he?" and then they tell me they have more so they "know" it isn't important to do what I'm doing. Other times it's someone I know. In either case, I feel sorry for their kids!
I know that many large families DO do these things and are just as good at parenting as I am! So I'm posting to suggest that if any of you with large families are tempted to make comments like this, please consider what message you are sending about large families in general.
Thanks for listening! You sound like a really good mom.
Thanks for sharing! I plan to include this post among this week's featured.
Great stuff. 
I'm expecting our 9th blessing this December and just want to tell you how very much this post means to me. It's not necessarily WHAT it says…these are all things I've heard and responses I've had. It's just that there are others out there who really do believe as we do! I just deleted my Facebook account not a half hour ago—mostly because I just want to spend my time finding fellowship with those who I can build up and who will build me up—I need to reprioritize!!! Then, I find your encouraging post…and I'm just in tears! Thank you, so much, for the encouragement!
Blessings,
Mrs. Sarah Coller
Sarah, congratulations on another little blessing!! I’m so glad that the timing of this post was right when you needed it. There are many, many people out there who believe like you do! I speak at homeschool conferences, and see thousands of parents who believe what the Bible says about children. So be encouraged.
Kathie
Kathie…this is a wonderful post to encourage mothers of large families. Thank you for sharing it at WJIM and it is being featured as the reader's choice this week. I'm excited to feature you. Blessings.
Thank you! I don’t think mothers of large families can ever get enough encouragement!
What I have felt but have not been able to articulate very well. Thank you! I only have 4 little ones. I love them so much. It is an honor to be able to stay home with them and teach them.
God bless you! I think one of the most beautiful things in the world is a large Christisn family.