Welcome our first Mom of the Week, Liz Thompson, a freelance writer and mother of four who enjoys living and writing from the Jersey Shore. She’s been blogging at This Full House since 2003.
1. Your kids have been out of diapers for awhile now. How have things changed in your house from then to now?
My kids are at an age where they are able to help out around the house. My two oldest girls cook and take care of their own laundry (mostly) while my two youngest children have their share of responsibilities, like taking out the garbage and helping to feed/walk our pets, as well. However, as their mom, I feel it safe to say that my job is far from being over. I will have three teenagers in a couple of months (ACK!) and living under the same roof has become more difficult.
Read more of Liz’s interview after the jump!
2. Were you always someone who wanted a larger family?
My parents emigrated from Eastern Europe and my twin brother and I are first generation to be born here in America, so our extended families are all overseas. At the risk of dating myself, I remember growing up watching The Waltons and The Brady Bunch and envying all the chaos, especially around the holidays. I really couldn’t have imagined my being able to raise 4 children. Still can’t.
3. What do you think is the biggest misconception about larger families?
Okay, just one? I guess the biggest misconception we’ve ever encountered is that, as a mother of 4 children, I must be some sort of Super Woman or Earth Mother: an eternally fruitful source of perfection and goodness. I still remember being pregnant with my youngest and, after losing my temper with my middle girl (out loud) during a birthday party and another class mom finally admitting to me that she was surprised at how “normal” I really was. Thank you, I think. Also, I fully admit, right here, to all who are reading this, right now, my husband is a great help and would make a wonderful wife and mother, as well.
4. Many people talk about the high cost of having lots of kids. How does your family deal with upcoming college costs and the sheer amount of food it takes to keep so many kids happy?
My kids are 17, 15, 12 and 10 (wait, let me think, yes, that’s right!) and we spend anywhere from $800 to $1,000 per month for groceries, hair and feminine products. All kidding aside, we’ve recently took up couponing (again!) and both of our favorite supermarkets have recently included a separate section of family-sized items (finally!) so, we buy in bulk and try to avoid paying full price whenever we can. Also, my income supplements the “extras,” like clothes. As for college cost; two words: financial aid. Actually, my youngest is graduating high school this year (ACK!) and we’ve only just begun the whole college application process, which is a full-time job, by the way.
5. What have you learned about yourself as a person from having a larger family?
I am a whole lot more optimistic than I thought. I am also turning into my mother.
6. What are a couple of organizational, time-saving, and/or survival tips that you can share to moms with larger families.
I am not the most organized person. What, you too? PHEW! Raising 2 teens and 2 tweens, in a 7 room house, I’ve learned to pick my battles and, with 3 girls sharing the same bedroom (shiver) cleanliness takes precedence over any hopes of organization. Still, I find myself drifting towards the home organization aisles in hopes of being inspired. My latest “Aha!” moment: I recently purchased a 9 cubed storage cubby for each of my girls, placed it at the end of their beds and now they have a place to keep “their stuff!” Next up, storage ottomans!
7. What’s one must-have gadget moms with larger families should have?
I would highly recommend a smart phone, which I currently do not own, enough said.
8. What do you think the perception of larger families is? Do you feel as though its accurate?
The perception that children from larger families (more than 2 kids) are neglected because there isn’t enough time for each one: yes, this is true to a certain extent. On the other hand, my kids understand what it means to share…everything…and appreciate the times when my husband and I can give them our undivided attention. We both try and take our kids out, individually, either on errands or just window shopping, at least once a week.
9. Do your kids talk at all about being a part of a large family? What have they said about their own experience?
I’m sure my kids have expressed the challenges of living in a larger family with their friends. Like, my daughters having to share the same bedroom (I know, it stinks!) although, my 12 year-old son has finally stopped asking for a brother and they all still mention doing things differently with “their” kids in conversation. So, I guess that’s a good thing, right?
10. What’s your guilty pleasure?
Celebrating wine o’clock on Friday nights, sometimes twice on Saturdays and sleeping in on Sundays – oh, wait, did you only mean one?
Have questions for Liz? Leave them in the comments! And if you’ve got 4 kids or more and would like to be featured as our Mom of the Week, email us at 4KidsorMoreBlog[at]gmail[dot]com
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Great post Liz!
Having four kids means we have to watch our pennies. I often tell people who wonder why anyone would have four kids, that 20-30 years from now (or maybe even today), my kids will appreciate having siblings more than a larger house or a luxury car.
The best gift you can give a child is a sibling to share the future