Life as a Big Family
If you are a part of a big family, you know that there is always something going on. There may be siblings fighting, the parents trying to get everyone ready for school in the morning, or just kids running around and getting into things. It can seem chaotic at times, but it’s also really fun! In this blog post, we’ll discuss some challenges that come with having a big family life and how to overcome them.
Big family routine
The big family routine is different for each day. The kids go to school, some days they have homework or activity after school, and sometimes there are trips to the grocery store and library that take up a lot of time.
Some weekends we’ll stay in town so that everyone can spend time together; other times it might be just one parent at home with all the kids on Saturday night while the others go out for a date night. This way, everyone gets their fair share of alone time when needed too!
On Sunday mornings, most families opt for sleeping in a bit – but not us! We’re always up early, taking advantage of those hours before work begins.
We take the bus to school and use public transportation for most of our errands that require the whole family together. We have dinner at 7 pm every night – the kick-off to our nightly family time.
We’ve set ground rules as well: no screens after dinner (we don’t want to start tech dependence at an early age), and every other weeknight we have “family movie night.” We usually pick some kind of kid film or animated adventure that will keep us entertained throughout the evening!
Challenges
One of the challenges that comes with being in a big family is making sure everyone gets along. It can be tough when there are so many people who have to live in one home together.
Another challenge that often happens in big families is children feeling like they’re missing out on their parents’ attention because there are so many siblings trying to get it at once. Sometimes this may lead kids into doing things just to receive some attention from an adult, such as misbehaving or being rebellious.
One more challenge – needing a bigger vehicle. If you’re a large family, you need big vehicles to get from point A to point B. It’s important not only for the driver but also for everyone else in the back seat.
Another challenge – being able to keep up with all the kids. As a parent, it can be difficult to do what you need for yourself and your spouse, let alone taking care of all of your children at the same time.
One more major challenge that often arises in big families is having enough money coming in each month. It may not seem like it at first, but if there’s one family member who doesn’t work or makes less, it may lead to some financial issues within the household.
In addition:
There is no quiet time. There’s never any time of day where the kids are asleep, and everyone else can relax in peace – even for a few minutes.
Lack of privacy. Pretty much the only place to have any amount of privacy is the bedrooms, so it’s not uncommon for one family member to end up retreating there because it can be difficult finding a private space elsewhere
Bickering over chores. It’s pretty hard to have everyone pitch in when no one wants to do something or when they don’t get along with each other, leading to constant bickering about who will clean up after dinner or take out the garbage.
Tips to overcome the challenges
Divide chores into days, weeks or months so they’re easier to manage. For example, every Monday could be a grocery shopping day, while Saturday could be the big clean up day. This way, it’s not such an overwhelming task when the time for chores comes because the workload is divided.
Create some space by assigning each person their own designated area: kids can get messy playing upstairs in their room while parents work downstairs at the home office desk etc. You might even want to assign different areas outside like gardening/potting shed vs outdoor furniture storeroom (or vice versa).
Make sure each child has their own time and attention so that they know they’re loved just as much as the others. It can be hard because of how many there are but try your best not to distance yourself from anyone particular kid. Help them establish themselves in school by making an effort to attend parent-teacher conferences or volunteering on field trips with them if possible!
For big families to thrive, you must prioritize everyone equally, which means giving kids equal opportunities. Make sure every member is getting enough love, and everything will work out.
Ideas for big families: make sure you say “yes” to more opportunities and don’t be afraid to ask family and friends for help. You can go as a group, split up responsibilities or do what feels best, depending on the situation!
Also:
When it comes to big families, you have to be willing to put in some extra effort for them and yourself. If you do, your heart will feel full, knowing that each person feels loved and included.
Big families need communication because there are so many people involved – make time for everyone at least once or twice a week when no one has something else going on like work or school. This way, you will know what’s happening in other parts of the family, which helps to think of solutions.
For some big families it could be totally normal that some kids go to public schools while other do homeschooling. It all depends of children’s wishes and what is best for them.
Benefits of having a big family
One of my favorite things about having such a big family is the companionship. I don’t feel lonely or alone, and there’s always someone to talk to about anything from my day-to-day life.
Another big benefit is how much of an inspiration everyone can be for one another. Some people may think that there would be too many opinions in a big family, but what’s better than hearing from every perspective? In the end, we can get to know each other so much better.
Speaking of getting to know each other better, one big benefit I’ve experienced is how much more communication there is. You can’t hide anything from your family, and sometimes that’s not such a bad thing.
I think it’s great having so many people around who have the same values as you do on what family means. When we’re all living by those principles together, things seem easier for everyone involved.
Another thing that I love about being in a big family is how much there is always something going on! It’s nice having those gatherings where we’re all together, and the house fills up with laughter, stories, and memories.
Lastly, you always have support. There are so many people there to help you out and cheer for you when things get tough. I’m grateful every day that our family is big because it’s made all of us stronger in the end!
So,
A big family can be a blessing or curse, depending on your perspective and what you’re looking for in life. For some people, it means lots of love and support, while others find themselves overwhelmed with the responsibility that comes with so many kids. We hope our blog post has helped you to better understand what it’s like to live in a big family, and we hope we provided some tips on how to make it easier!
Are you interested in other topics about spending your time with family members? Then check out family time category for some other fun ideas!
