family hacks

15 Family Hacks from a Mom of 15

Yes, I am the mother of 15 children. It’s not really that many; I know all of their names in order and even have their birthdays memorized (I suppose being involved in their births makes it a bit easier for me to remember). Walking, running, and leaping down … Read More…

Yes, You CAN Homeschool a Large Family!

The other day I was listening to an interview with a well-known author who questioned the idea of homeschooling a large family. She wasn’t being spiteful or mean, and from her perspective it was true; she only had four children and she was basing her assumptions on her … Read More…

Large Family Road Trip Food: Tips from a Mom of 15

Family road trip food does not have to mean a messy, junk-food, free-for-all. There are ways to pack snacks and meals that save money, time and mess! If you have been keeping up with my series on traveling as a large family, you will remember that we started … Read More…

Large Family Travel: Lodging Tips From a Mom of 15

Finding decent lodging for a large family is not impossible! As far as large family travel goes, finding lodging is a major concern. If you have been following along, you will remember that we started traveling back when we had nine children, the oldest 14, and we continued … Read More…

Extreme Packing Tips from a Mom of 15 {tutorial}

Packing clothing for a few days’ trip takes some organization for any sized family, but when that family includes a number of small children, the task can seem daunting!   As I related in this earlier post, we started traveling regularly as a family back when we had … Read More…

EXTREME Family Road Trips: Mom of 15 Tells All!

Large family road trips don’t have to be a logistical nightmare! I am the mother of 15 children and I have not only gone on numerous road trips with my family, but I’ve actually been able to enjoy myself and relax while doing it. Of course, this hasn’t happened … Read More…

Give Your Family a Space Vacation

Families, especially large ones, need space. Not necessarily space in terms of square-footage, but space in terms of Unscheduled Time. Our family seems to crave this, and so we try and make it part of the rhythm of our lives. While the activities and requirements of existence must … Read More…

You Don’t Have to be Super Mom

Super powers? Not a chance. Yes, I am the homeschooling mom of 15 children, but there is truly nothing special about me.   Here I am shopping, or banking, or at church… I am having a fine conversation with someone; we are discussing the weather or the Lord … Read More…

Large Family Stress Reduction: Keeping Track by Herding

If children do not know where they are supposed to be and what they are supposed to be doing, they get creative trying to figure things out, and the results can be disastrous! I once passed a park in a rural area and witnessed a fascinating display. A … Read More…

cooking for a large family

5 Ways to Cook BIG!

It takes more than just a little ingenuity to feed a large family in a small family world.  I grew up in a family of three–my mother, my sister, and me–so there was little opportunity to learn how to whip up a batch of 6 dozen cookies (that … Read More…