Posted in Large Families

As any mother of a large family will tell you, going out in public with all those kids is quite an adventure.  Now that I have five children, I am learning first-hand how very anti-child this world has become.  One would think that going grocery shopping with five children in tow is akin to holding up a convenience store.  The looks, stares, grimaces, and smirks can be disconcerting, if the mom of a large family has the ability to break the intense mental concentration it takes to keep track of her children while remembering everything on the shopping list and sorting through her coupons all at the same time, and actually notice said looks, stares, etc.  What is it about several well-behaved children tagging along behind a happy momma that makes people react in such strange ways?  It's enough to make you feel like a circus side-show.

Aside from the usual "You've got your hands full", not many people actually comment on my family size.  Because I love and am thankful for each and every one of my children, and even desire--*gasp*--more of them, I have not received many negative comments.  I think folks instinctively know not to go there.  One very sweet lady did come over to me in the checkout line this week and say the following: "I've been watching you go through the store, and I must tell you, your children are so well-behaved.  You're doing a great job.  Keep up the good work."  Ahhhh.  Words like those are like manna from heaven for a busy homeschooling mom of many.

Actually, I find the interest our family attracts to be entertaining.  However, my oldest son, who at 11 is just beginning to become self-conscious about certain things, is very aware of the attention strangers give us.  I encourage him to be proud of the fact that he is a part of a large family.  Such families are rare and precious, and we are very blessed by God with each member of ours.  As the oldest, he has a very special role to fill, and he is beginning to take that role very seriously.  He is beginning to realize what a wonderful opportunity he has been given by the Lord to be placed in our family.

Despite how the world sees them, children truly are a blessing.  The next time you see a mother with several young children, be like that nice lady in the grocery store this week, and share a little manna of kind words.  And if you're a momma of many little ones, believe that not all the stares are negative.  It just may be that one of those folks watching your family actually thinks your doing a great job, too.