Growing up there was always a child in the house under the age of 3, my mother often got asked if she was pregnant and more often than not the answer was yes. To some people my parents decision to have a whole brood of children was "foolish", "irresponsible" and just plain "crazy"! I don't know if it was that people doubted we could make it financially or they just thought that 10 kids would be too much for anyone to handle.
I am number 2 of the "sprouts" (as we were fondly called by many) and the only girl, which just makes things a little more interesting. Growing up with boys was no picnic but I don't exactly think it was awful either. At one point in my childhood I could run faster, climb higher, fight better, swim better than most of my friends and siblings all while wearing a dress! I was a regular Laura Ingles (or at least I aspired to be)!
I think I changed more diapers in my 18 years at home than most parents do ever! I learned very young the facts of life, I watched my mother tenderly care for about 6 of my younger siblings. I learned how to bath a baby, how to sooth a fussy baby, how to burp a baby, change diapers, dress, teach them how to walk...all those things many new mothers take classes to learn! Now this is not me bragging on me, if it weren't for my family being so "foolish" I would not have had this opportunity! I also learned how to bandage booboos on little boys who thought it was a good idea to ride their bike down very steep hills! I could cook simple things (mostly breakfast foods) before I was 10.
Because I was homeschooled and was in the room for my mother teaching many of my siblings to read I also learned how to teach children. My parents way of raising my family is the reason why I was able to become a teacher when I lived in South East Asia.
My parents raised us in a primarily farming community. We participated in F-H and for that I can proudly say I have seen a cow, horse, dog, sheep and chicken be born! I also bottle fed and raised lambs, calves, kittens, puppies and a rabbit!
My childhood was abnormal to say the least. But I am 19 years old now and I would like to proudly say nothing about my childhood would I like to change! In my opinion there is nothing "foolish" about it!
My parents did something uncommon, but honestly most of your great grand parents were raised the same way! Back in the day couples had lots of kids, and they had to learn things at a young age!
I want to finish this off with a piece of advice for any new Moms and Dads out there. I have not personally raised a family! I am no parenting expert. But I was raised in a "crazy" family and as a child having grown up fully. DO NOT listen to those people who call your parenting choices "foolish". If you are seeking God with your whole life and you are desiring to raise a family the way He would want you to, those other voices are just white noise! Even if your choices are unconventional that doesn't make you foolish or irresponsible or crazy! Follow Gods will and all the rest will fall into place because He is sovereign.
