Twenty at a time...

I can't begin to tell you how many times we've been asked, "How do you do it?" Some wonder how we handle five children. Others wonder how we afford five children. While I admit, the first is so much easier than the second, we are able to do both on our own.

The questions we receive about raising five children usually come from parents of one or two children. Our typical response to "How do you do it" is that it's actually easier than you'd expect. We try to explain our logic by reminding them that when you have one child, you are expected to entertain that child 24/7. You are their parent and their playmate. It's tough to do the adult tasks such as bills or office work when you're also trying to play Barbies or Hotwheels. When you have at least two children, they do tend to entertain eachother. At least during the times that they aren't fighting with eachother. Of course, most of our friends just don't believe our logic...or at least not enough to expand their family to the size of ours!!

Another common question we get is "How can you afford to feed all of those kids?" While it is quite an expensive task, we do rely on sales and coupons. Our cupboards are usually full. There are some items that I refuse to buy that are store brand or "unbranded" because I'm picky like that. But we have no problem trying an unbranded item. If it works for us, we'll use it. I'd say it only works about 40-50% of the time. We have our favorites, just as you. That's just another reason to buy when the items are on sale, with coupons and in bulk! For example, just this morning we had scrambled eggs. Well, twenty eggs later, the kids are nice and full and we (mom and dad) haven't had breakfast yet.

Off to class...
Until next time...