Managing a large family obviously presents unique challenges, but the principles are universal so matter your family size. As a parent of eleven kids, I have been through countless ups and downs, and I want to share ten tips for managing our large family. 1. Establish Routines: Although another crucial tip later on is flexibility, it's still important to have routines (even if you break them.) Kids really do thrive on having routines that they can count on, including consistent bedtimes, mealtimes, schoolwork time, and anything else you do with regularity (like church, gymnastics, etc.) 2. Set Clear Expectations: Communicate your expectations clearly to your children. Establish rules and boundaries that are age-appropriate and enforce them consistently. This will help maintain discipline and ensure that everyone understands their responsibilities within the family. 3. Foster Open Communication: Encourage open and honest communication within your family. Make yourself available to your kids as much as you can. Regular family meetings can be another great way to address any issues or concerns and promote healthy communication. 4. Delegate Responsibilities: In a large family, it's important to distribute responsibilities among family members. Assign age-appropriate chores to your children and involve them in household tasks. We use something called ZONES to do this, which has worked for us for years. Here's a printable with ideas to implement this into your home.
5. Prioritize Quality Time:
With a large family, it can be challenging to find individual quality time with each child. However, it's crucial to make an effort to spend one-on-one time with each child regularly. This can be as simple as going for a walk, playing a game, or having a heart-to-heart conversation. We also take each kid out for a special birthday meal on their big day!
6. Encourage Sibling Bonding:
Promote a sense of unity and camaraderie among your children. Encourage them to spend time together, engage in shared activities, and support each other. As our children are growing, it's only becoming more and more clear how special their relationships with each other are. Their brothers and sisters are their very best friends.
7. Practice Self-Care:
As a parent of a large family, it's easy to neglect your own needs. However, self-care is essential for your well-being and ability to care for your children. Make time for yourself, whether it's through exercise, hobbies, or simply taking a break. Remember, you can't pour from an empty cup.
8. Seek Support:
Don't be afraid to ask for help or seek support from other parents in similar situations. Join online communities, attend parenting groups, or connect with other large families in your area. Sharing experiences and advice can be invaluable in managing the challenges of a big family. I hope this site and my vlogs might also offer you some support. I have a home management course and a parenting book, as well.
9. Embrace Flexibility:
As I said in the first tip, flexibility is crucial when managing a large family. Things may not always go as planned, and that's okay. Embrace the chaos and learn to adapt to unexpected situations. Being flexible allows you to go with the flow and find joy in the unpredictable moments of family life. It's also important in revising systems that may need tweaking in your home management and/or parenting.
10. Celebrate Differences:
In a large family, each child is unique with their own interests, talents, and needs. Celebrate these differences and encourage each child to be the best version of who God made them to be!
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