Having a family with six children is both an honour and a great responsibility, and to be honest, sometimes it can get a little stressful. There is a lot to think about to make you that everyone gets just what the need at the right time, and getting wrong can sometimes lead to big problems. But if you have a larger family like me, don’t despair, as there are some ways of dealing with the issues that it brings. Just read on to find out more.
Money
So, probably the most common issue larger families come across is having enough money to cover everything that is needed at any one time. As any mummy knows, having kids can be pretty expensive, so having six can be a real strain on your purse strings.
But, with a little thought and planning, there are away you can maximize what you get for the amount that you spend. For example, it’s a great idea to plan your meals for the week. Which you can do by following one of the many online guides such as this one.
First of all, if you include the kids, they all get a say in choosing something that is their favourite, so no one gets left out. Secondly, it works so much better in term of money because you only buy the ingredients that you actually, need for the recipe that is on the list for that week. No money is wasted buying random items that seem like a good idea at the time. But actually won’t be eaten and end up getting thrown away.
Space
Another problem that larger families, in particular, can come across is having enough space for everyone, and all of their stuff. When the kids are younger, it can work out OK for them to share bedrooms. But as they get older and develop their own sense of individuality, they usually want a space that is just for them that, they can call their own.
This creates an issue because depending on the size and potential of your home, you may have to look at moving to make this happen. Which of course isn’t always practical, or financially viable.
However, it is possible to sometimes make some renovation to your current home and convert previously unused spaces into bedrooms. For example, many families use the garage or the space above it, and turn this into bedrooms for this kids. Or another option is to convert an attic space by installing a skylight like this one from Fakro roof windows by Sunlux, as well as proper flooring.
Time
Now with six kids, time is be something that can be tight as well. Especially if they are all clamouring for attention at the same moment! But it is possible to lay down and be consistent with certain ground rules. Such as not interrupting unless it’s an emergency or giving a nonverbal signal that they want to talk.
It’s also a smart idea to have one on one time with you children scheduled on a rota. Then each child knows that they will have the chance to spend some time with you that is apart from their brothers and sisters. As well as reinforcing that they should not interrupt you when you are with their siblings for this time.
XOXO
Debbie
