I really really enjoyed the interview of your family on Fox News! I am a faithful reader of your blog, so it was fun to put names with the faces and see the whole family in action!
I LOVED your comment about enjoying this "season." I really needed to hear that! I spend so much time feeling uptight about everything, rather than peaceful, as we are going through potty training the toddler and dealing with an energetic little boy who has just learned to crawl.
Your interview made me think of so many more questions I want to ask! and possibly ideas for future posts:
What prompted your decision to become a full-time stay-at-home-mom? (They said you have been a SAHM for 16 years--so your oldest was 2 at the time, right?)
Also describe the transition to becoming a SAHM: What were the struggles or challenges, either logistically, financially, emotionally?
Were you always naturally gifted in home-organizing and child-rearing? Or did it take a while to adjust?
What is your daily schedule?
What are the kids' daily schedules like?
Sorry so many questions!
I am a new mom--not a young mom, I'm 33! But I left a career in auditing at Ernst & Young to have a family. Four months after my daughter was born, my husband lost his job, so we moved 600 miles away to live with his family while he looked for a new job. The past 2 years have been challenging--starting a whole new life, with a new "career," new friends, new church, new home (we've moved 3 times in 2 years)! . . . so I'm always curious how the more experienced (and well-adjusted) moms handled that transition and I'm open any advice you might have to offer!
I feel like my "performance" was so much better in the accounting world than it is at home, and I never expected that! I tend to thrive with routine, and I feel every time I finally figure out the kids' latest "routine" it changes again, as one quits taking a nap or stops breastfeeding or whatever! Maybe I will get it together by the time the 2nd one is a toddler. :-)
I do not regret the decision to stay at home with my children, but wow, it has been a lot different than I anticipated.
Any posts you might think up on those topics would be greatly appreciated!
So I had a little idea. I'm going to open up the floor for your questions and dedicate a good part of next week to what we could call Octamom 101...or should it be Octamom 801? Hmmmm. Well, you get the idea. While I have posted from time to time about the philosophies and practicalities that shape our days, I'd love to hear what you would like to know and respond in kind. So get those comment fingers typing and ask your questions. I'm not shy, so don't hold back. We'll throw ourselves a little Q&A party next week!
Fabulous. I will be sending a few questions your way over the weekend. Thank you for taking the time and providing insight into parenting and marriage. I truly believe we all learn from one another NOT from all the books we read :)
ReplyDeleteOooh, oooh! ((waving my hand furiously in the air in my best Horshack imitation) ... I've got one!
ReplyDeleteHow did you meet your husband?
Loved your interview, Julie. You are such an inspiration!
YAY for OCTAMOM!!!! You were AWESOME! And I love your green top! You are such an encouragement and inspiration to me! :-) I am excited about Octamom 801!!! I'll have to think up some good questions and post them soon!!! :P
ReplyDeleteGreat story, I love your blog. I guess my question would be what's your daily schedule like, can you break it down? I just stopped providing childcare in my home for 9 other kids, we have 4 girls and another daughter on the way in Oct. and I am finding myself without structure for the first time in 3 years. I don't know where to begin, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I can't think of a better person to answer parenting questions. I'll have to come up with a few of my own.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun story but agg your # of 8 cover is totally blown :P.
ReplyDeleteHow to you get everyone's schooling in every day? I know the older ones can get on task independently, but I'm pretty productive and still feel like I couldn't get schooling for more than 3 different 'grades' going along with basic mom duties.
To the "new mom" who wrote to you...
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel about the adjustment to being a SAHM. I've been at home for 6 years now and given birth to 4 babies in that time. I was a teacher. It's a hard adjustment, but you'll learn so much! Stick with it and things will get easier. It's so hard to find your way without great role models. Good thing we have the internet to connect us so we can learn from each other. Thanks to Octamom for this post. I'm looking forward to her answers to your questions.
what a great idea! :) I love being a SAHM and feel pretty relaxed most days--i am not much of a scheduler except when it comes to meals and naps and bedtimes!!! But I do have a question-- How do you deal with sibling rivalry? We teach, teach, teach, discipline, discipline,etc. Do I just keep up what I am doing until they move out? :) Maybe I am intervening too much? I don't know...it scares me...my brother hates me to this day...I know I can't control what if they love each other as adults...but I sure am praying for it!
ReplyDeleteOh gosh I can't think of any now...but will let you know. => Have fun answering! Enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteMy questions revolve around how you decided to have as many children as you did? What you would have done if you felt there was room in your family for more children but your husband, or circumstances, did not allow for them?
ReplyDeleteAlso, what were you reasons for pursuing home-schooling, and is it easier for some children, and families, than others?
Right, enough questions!
Great post!
I was blown away by the sweet things your oldest daughter said about you! What an angel!
ReplyDeleteCandy's question....
ReplyDeleteWhat motivates you? Do you look into the future and try to live your life, and create your parental habits through a hypothetical "hindsight"
??
i'm wordy. sorry.
LOVE YOU!!! HUGS!!!!
On homeschooling...or is it home schooling? I can never remember!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, about schooling at home...Are you a naturally organized and focused person, able to keep on task throughout the day? Do you think the personality of the mom (in this regard) is necessary to be able to pull it off?
(Yes, I'm totally scattered, that's why I ask.)
My question...
ReplyDeleteCan I have some of your kids?
I don't mind missing the cute little baby stage if they come already toilet trained and as sweet as yours are!
PS. I have been avoiding the "name the baby" discussion so far. There is already too many names on the table and it makes my head hurt to think about it too much. Wolf watched the clip over my shoulder and straight away started saying... oh, there's one we haven't thought of, or, I like that name, what about that one! (obviously I can't say which names since the flavour of our little bundle is a secret, and Boy Mom is probably listening)
Okay, I've been putting off my question and it may be too late! My question is: How often do you take "me time" and how do you manage it? I know your oldest are babysitting age now, but "back in the day" were you able to take the time for yourself? Sometimes it seems that my only time is when I go to the grocery store alone. Which isn't often. ;)
ReplyDelete