A girlfriend of mine told me about a book called “Hunt gather parent” when I had my son. It’s a really good book. I would suggest it. One thing she talks about is if you want your children to help around the house do not stop them from helping when they express interest in it when they’re very young. Like if your son wants to come and help you unload the dishwasher figure out how he can safely do that by giving him like the plastic or the silicone pieces. But the more we tell our children “no, you go play while I clean”, the more they’re gonna think oh my job is to play. Mom’s job is to clean. So then when they get older, they’re gonna think they don’t have to assist around the house
I’ve never commented here before but I want to say, that I’ve watched you for years and you have such grounded advice and I love that you are unapologetic about having a beautiful life ♥️ and also real about the hiccups/self doubts being part of the story! You’re like a mentor in so many ways. Being the first in my family to have any interest in homemaking, from scratch, cooking and gardening, you have been “that friend” I could look to for encouragement in pursuing those interest… And then over time it made it easier to make friends in person where we share similar interests, ideas! For instance, I made friends with a mom a few years older who will bring extra stuff from their homestead (veggies, eggs, bacon etc), and in exchange I give her homeschooled children private art lessons and share home made apple cider vinegar! It’s been the best little community and I don’t know that it would’ve been possible without your virtual encouragement.
The food thing works. My MIL always has something to eat and purposely because her doors are always open to her family and wants them to know that if they show up anytime of the day, she will feed them and sometimes it’s just coffee or tea and cookies. It’s great!
I'm the youngest of five children whose ages spread out over 19 years. (My siblings were 19, 17, 14, and 2 when I was born. When the oldest started marrying and having children my mother asked us to "give her Thanksgiving." We never had big family birthdays or Christmas, but we ALWAYS had Thanksgiving from the time I was born. Mother and Daddy have been gone 20 years, my siblings are now 91, 89. 86, and 74, and I am 72. We now have to rent a beautiful encampment near Houston to get all 90 or so of us together, but we do it. Yes, we are spread all over the US, but my grandchildren know and love my siblings' great grandchildren and look forward all year to their favorite holiday. It takes someone to organize, and sometimes it's hard, but SO worth it. There is nothing like standing in a huge circle with my people, holding hands, and singing the Doxology together.
Speaking from experience , if you want to raise family oriented children, keep them out of competitive sports- 30-40 hr training weeks, all the focus on them. Keep the focus on life skills and family for kids and you will have well rounded kids who will be a blessing to others and your family as the go through the teen yrs and into adulthood!
Wow. I've never heard this advice, but wow. This is gold. You are so right! I often wonder why my siblings and I are so close with each other and our parents, and I'm sure there are other factors too, BUT we were not involved in competitive sports, and I think we're all better for it!
I see your point, but I don't know of any sport training kids 30-40 hours a week... I played college ball on a scholarship and I trained about 10 hours a week in high school and 15 or so in college. An athletic kid shouldn't be robbed of playing competitive sports, particularly boys. They absolutely need healthy competition and physical activity.
Our boys LOVED Cross Country! They are 25 and their fondest memories are competing. My daughter did well on the Cross Country team but really liked volley ball.
I just want to say, I love your videos. I watch them not because I think you're perfect, not because it makes me jealous, not because I think you live in a fantasy land...I watch them because they make me feel good. They are a way to have a common minded "friend", to pick up new tips and tricks from. They are a way for me to decompress and become inspired when I find myself in a funk. So I say that to say this, please continue to doing exactly what you are doing❤ Some people think if they snuff out your light, theirs will be brighter instead of lighting the world all together.
I love that you sing the praises of teenagers! The popular refrain of complaining about teenagers bums me out as I remember how hard that time was for me and is for so many. Our grown kids were the best teenagers and are still just a delight to be around. Our strategy...treating them with respect and show an interest in what they love to do.
I married into a family where there are 10 siblings and we are all in the same county except 1 family who is in the county next door. It is so wonderful and special to have an intact family that still gets together frequently and happily. There are still a few siblings that are not married/still living at the parents house, so we shall see if everyone sticks around! It really is a blessing. My sister-in-law who is a mom of 7 just fell and broke her leg/hip and we are all bringing food etc pitching in to care for her family. I didn't grow up with that family dynamic so I know what a gift it is.
You are a good-in-law. My sister-in-law came and divided us. We all left for another state cause she was the only child from an abusive household and pushed that negative energy into our family dynamic. It made family time miserable.
I CANNOT tell you how much I exhaled when you spoke about your curated videos etc. I used to find it SO hard to watch your videos because I felt like *I* was just a loser who couldn’t get their life together and *you* did. I still struggle with feeling like a total loser who can’t get her act together to have curated videos because I am with my 11 children ALL the time with my husband working outside of the home and not having a lot of money etc. I really appreciate your honesty here. Now I need to just keep living my own beautiful (to me) life.
I am 24 years old with a 17-month old and a 3-month old. We just finally moved into our permanent home and town where my husband is the new Lutheran pastor. It’s definitely a challenge adjusting to being home alone during the day with both kids while still trying to unpack, organize, and keep on top of normal every day chores. We do expect to have a lot more kids, so thank you for the last bit of encouragement about it getting easier as kids get older. That’s a true comfort!
Lol I am exactly 1 year ahead of you on the same path. 3 kids, husband is a new Lutheran pastor as of 1 year ago, bought a house 1 year ago. Still ajusting to life in a new place. You got this! Praying God will send me more mom friends haha!
@@madelinehelwig8409I am 5 years ahead of both of you! Haha my kids are 5/4/2 and we have had our house for 5 years. But my husband is not a pastor. It’s already getting easier ! The oldest is so helpful already. Now I’m itching for baby #4 but husband isn’t ready yet!
You are not priveleged...you are blessed!!! I am 67 and the older I get, the more annoyed I get with busybodies. Keep doing what you love!! God bless you & yours!
When it comes to DIL, I think food helps, but ultimately what I think will make the biggest impact is treating sons less like they belong TO you and more like they belong WITH their wife. They are a husband FIRST and FOREMOST (coming only second to being a child of God). I've noticed that DILs are more likely to want to be around their husband's family when their husband's mom/parents have good boundaries and respects their boundaries and doesn't expect to have the exact same treatment as the wife's mom/parents (in terms of birth & whatnot). The couple tends to create distance when their parents (on either side - but more often than not the husband's side) offer unsolicited advice, question their marriage or parenting choices, or treats husband/wife as an accessory to their child instead of treating them as their own family unit. I single out the husband's mom because often there is an attachment to her 'little boy' that doesn't translate well to him growing up and becoming a husband. That is why 'boy moms' get a bad wrap. Not all are like this obviously, but it is important to consciously make an effort towards letting kids become their own people as adults. Trying not to push away the woman your son chooses will go a long way towards them wanting to spend time with you because if it comes down to it and he has to choose, he should choose her (unless she is abusive in some way).
I am in a unique situation and don’t know my MIL and thus do not have to deal with her, but one of my good friends is very close to her MIL. She said that when she had her babies, her own mom would give her all kinds of unsolicited and bossy advice, but her MIL went along with how she wanted to do things for each baby, and thus won her heart forever 😁😁 Her MIL does have a beautiful house with a pool that they can use whenever, they do feed the whole family often, and they pay for vacations, too 🤣🤣 They’re great Christian people and generous!
That is awesome! I love my MIL honestly, she is great and very much is on our team (my husband & I's). Both sides of our family are really great. This was for sure from observation rather than from personal experience. And as with most advice it is a 'take what you want and leave what you don't' situation.
Yep, my MIL is rude, tried to ruin our wedding and trample over every decision we make with our family and children. I was so open to having a great relationship and she is so disrespectful of everything it's nearly impossible.
I’ve been watching your videos for years but recently these Q&A’s have been SO wildly helpful. I’m a first time mom with a 9 month old. I’m also located in MO. Thank you so much for these videos! 🫶🏼 I hope to have a big family some day and also live a lovely homestead life
This was such a great video. You're a lovely person, Lisa. Your excitement about the future of your family, even your extended family, gives me such hope for all of us going forward. It's such a huge counterweight to the negativity we're faced with every day in our public lives. May God continue to bless you & yours & all of us in your example & teaching. Love you ❤🎉
Teenagers are the best! My kids are 18 and 16 now and they are responsible, capable and fun to hang out with. I think the key to having nice teenagers is to raise them right while they’re small. No one wants a teenager throwing tantrums like a toddler…
I’m a first time mom at 46 and I am absolutely loving these Q&As. I have learned so much from you already about parenting and it’s helped me relax a little bit. So, thank you and please keep these coming! I so wish could have 4 or 5 or 6. One more Lord willing!!
Key to early sleep training: schedule 2 1/2 to 3 hours from birth, lay them down to sleep so they always sleep their own. Body click gets set and they sleep thru at about 6 weeks. I know at least 16 babies trained this way. Works like a charm.
I also did this and they slept through the night within 6 - 10 weeks. I found that giving them time daily to lay on their backs and kick and play helped them also. I couldn't carry them around constantly because of back issues I was lucky and they turned out great. If they wanted to be in sorts I let them and they loved it.
I love your solo videos lisa! So helpful for young, new moms like me. For sleep training, I remember feeling so bad about doing it with my first after I started to see reels about it. I did not know people were super against it. For a second I thought I messed him up for eternity lol I did it when he was 6mo but I did not night wean him - meaning that he went from waking up 7+ times at night to only waking up ~3x to breastfeed and back to sleep. With my second I set up good sleep foundations since he was newborn and he would wake up also around ~3x after he wasnt a newborn anymore. But the amount of backlash I see online its disheartening. I just do what I feel like its best for my kids and I now without worrying too much about it
There were wars about sleep trying/schedule feeding vs demand feeding ( which don't tend to sleep) way back in 1995. There was a curriculum put of John MacArthur's church called Growing Kids God's Way. It flipped the demand feeders completely out. There were problems with GKGW, starting with the off-putting name, but schedule feeding was a God send to me. I need my sleep. And I've never felt bad about that. Anyway, a little history...
9:34 Yes to all of this! My kids are getting older, we are a second generation homeschool family, and I agree so much about taking your time and not pushing to get milestones passed early. If you just wait until your child is ready to pick up or move on to whatever it is, then it's so less stressful for the parent and the child, These things get picked up so much easier, and they don't carry any stigma about it. We never had any potty training accidents because I waited until they were ready and then, like you said, just stopped putting diapers on them one day. You mentioned long division and reading and things. If you wait until the child is actually ready to learn them then they pick it up so much faster and they enjoy it so much more because they haven't been trudged through trying to be forced to do something they're just not ready to do yet. Taking this more relaxed approach has worked for all of my kids, and they all are great readers, great at math, they enjoy doing all that stuff because it hasn't been forced on them before they were ready. I wholeheartedly agree with your philosophy on this. 😊
I love so much of what you said in this video! You are encouraging and inspirational. What really resonated with me was your last few encouraging words to the young mom. I have 3 older kids and I’m due in November with a surprise little blessing. I’ve been so worried because motherhood has gotten so enjoyable and easy and I equate babies with the “drowning season” of all littles. I’ve been so nervous to return to that with adding this new baby to the family. But your comments reminded me that I’m truly not returning to that time! I’m a seasoned mom with lots of older helpers and it’s going to be a totally different experience. Challenging, I’m sure, as all new chapters usually are but not something to fear. Thank you for that reminder!
About raising teenage girls, it's funny that even as a now 24 year old mom I can still remember vividly my teenage years and things that bothered me and things that encouraged me. You are spot on. Be interested in what they're interested in (even if you only show a little interest), and don't have the assumption that all teenagers are the typical stereotype from movies. If you want to push a teenager into being a typical teenager, then by all means push that assumption on them. Another thing that helps is homeschooling and not letting them have those bad influences in their lives.
People tend to think as an influencer your gonna show everything, all 27/4 of your days, but you also deserve privacy and your kids deserve privacy. And ultimately it's your choice what you show other people, no one is gonna see exactly and precisely how you live and what you do every day, it's obviously not 100%, its only a fraction of what your life is like, and that goes for all influencers. Real ones or sadly even overly fake ones. You don't have to show us the most intimate and private moments of your life, you have to live them and be IN the moment ❤
I have 4 grown daughters and 2 grown sons. I found that if you lead your children by example and encourage them in their unique gifts( sewing, cooking, car mechanics etc. it helps the to strive to use those gifts God has given them) I always worked along side the children and tried to show them all the contentment in the work needed to be accomplished. Not that they were our free labor but a productive part of the family 😊❤
On the topic of homebirth, I'm pregnant with my 7th, I had my first 5 in a hospital. Pregnancy #2 was twins, I ended up having a C- section, automatically making my other pregnancies high risk. #5 was born premature and sadly did not survive. I was considered high risk for sure after that, and I was still able to have my next two at home. #7 is due in about 6.5 weeks, and she will be born at home as well. Always do your research. Homebirths are extremely safe and generally have much lower adverse events because the mother is calmer. Nothing spikes the heart rate like a team of people moving around you very quickly to cut your baby out.
Lisa you are such an encouragement and such a blessing to me! I keep envisioning you over the years being the famous mum & homemaker most women will look up to. God bless you beautiful lady🙏
Thank you, Lisa! ❤ I’m in the thick of it with littles and no bigger kids to help and it is a comfort to hear that this season is just hard and it’s not just me. God bless you!
Thank you, Lisa. I needed this encouragement in this season of motherhood I am in. I really needed someone like you to say it does in fact get easier. ❤
Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and encouragement about the light at the end of the tunnel as our babies turn into kids turn into big kids turn into teenagers. These early years are tough, and without much support it can feel like I’m drowning some days; that story you shared about fearing you’d get stuck in the back of a Walmart gave me a visceral reaction because it’s so real! Haha. It’s so important for more experienced women to pour into younger women, it helps us keep our eye on the prize of raising beautiful kids from a place of excitement and empowerment rather than fear and overwhelm. Thank you.
Love what you said about potty training ! Mom of 4 here and I’ve always waited until age 3 and I’ve never really potty trained lol I think at that age they just get it. I wish more people knew this !
My son was 29 months and used an active potty training program and my son caught on quickly. We didn’t use training pants until we night trained. My son has done exceptionally well. He figured out that he was more comfortable without diapers. It really depends on the kid. I was a day care teacher and I’ve seen where they start training kids after 3 and the majority of the experiences were a nightmare.
I cannot imagine being first trimester pregnant with a toddler still in diapers. Sounds like a vomiting session every time I have to change one 😂😂 this is why I potty train my kids at 2 and get pregnant right after, Lord willing! I’m too big of a wuss!
I felt the same with my teenagers! My girls were great help to me and our son was wonderful help with my husband. We still have littles and as my big kids have gotten married and moved out I miss them being here. I miss our conversations and our relationships have changed, still good but different. But I miss them being here
Currently in the thick of it with 4 young children at home. We have had 2 under 2 twice. The first set are boys and the second set are girls. I can’t tell you how encouraging this podcast has been! Thank you Lisa for sharing and for your heart and your example!
I would love to hear more on your plans for those future daughter in laws!! I have 6 sons, no daughters:) so I am ALWAYS thinking on how am I going to bond with these daughter in laws so that way I can have them my sons and grand babies around:)
I don’t have kids; so, I truly enjoy watching your family as you all grow. I appreciate the few moments that you share the kids while they’re learning, laughing, having fun family time. Thank you for sharing brief moments of your life with us. Hope the positive impact you make exceeds the small negatives from others.
I love watching your curated videos but it does help to hear you say (even thought I know it) that you show the pretty parts. I’m always inspired to go cut flowers after watching your videos!
Hi Lisa: firs time comenting, even thought I have been watching you for years! Believe it or not, your channel came to my feed when I was on my debt-free journey. I remember watching and you telling your story and it really inspired me on so many levels. You are still a huge inspiration and love listening to you about day-to-day life/home advice. My husband and I have no kids (and won't) we are perfectly happy just the 2 of us, but I still enjoy hearing about your big family and how you and your husband make it come together. I wish every parent was as involved and engaged in their kids and home-life like you are, our country (and world) would be a better place. Thank you ❤
I love teenagers! The most difficult age is 18 to 21. After that you are set. Those are the most difficult ages because they are “adults” and want to try everything that was forbidden to them when living at home. They will be exposed to the world with all the outside influences and they can adopt a lot of behaviors that deviate them from your teachings. It’s the time when they decide who they want to be, not who we want them to be. It’s a time of a lot of prayer. If you can keep them living home during the first two years of college you are going to have more control on the way they will react to all the outside inputs. Then they will be ready to live independently and be successful.
Love your vlog… I’m at the other end now and so loved raising our 5 children. And I too always wanted and want my house full of family. People change though, outside influences come in and the old saying appears to really be true…a son is a son until he takes a wife but a daughter is a daughter for the rest of her life. The one way you do get to see them a lot is to always be available for babysitting. Not always what we want but it has given me great time to form fantastic bonds with my grandkids. However as we age we do get tired, tired of craft basket, tired of snakes and ladders, tired of cleaning nappies of making sure they get enough wholesome foods to eat,tired of getting them to eat them. And sometimes you just want a sit down and chat with their parents. They get very busy and I don’t even think they realise how they actually don’t sit down and chat with us. We have big family things but they are mostly at our place and with nearly 30 people and whilst we have the room I am on the go the whole time getting this for someone or that, preparing things, and so on, they love to leave the mess and go home. My daughters do help a lot and the other girls help some too, and one is the instigator to rally everyone in to help so if she is missing it’s harder. I wouldn’t trade it for the world but it’s not easy. Remember too daughter in laws feel the same about their parents. And on another note my poor sister who also loves family around only had 2 and her son met a lovely girl who was on a working visa from Ireland they fell in love and married but she wanted to reside in Ireland. We are in Australia and as we age that sort of travel not only costs a fortune it is very hard on us traveling that distance. So we can pray our kids stay with us but reality is we have to let them go. We still love them very much.
I’d love you to do a full video on the topic of adult kids and plans to keep your family close. This topic occupies most of my brain space too. And my kids are still 5 and under.
Hi Lisa, I'm new here. I just want to thank you for your genuine heart. You have such a calming spirit. I feel encouraged and calm listening to you. Thank you for opening up and sharing!
Yup. Been a mom for less than 4 years. No family, no babysitters no date night without kids. 3rd baby coming. Love cooking and a clean house but everything is on hold till morning sickness is done.
Thank you so much Lisa. Awesome video. I am that mum that typically stresses over milestones and getting them to do stuff but your videos really helped me take a calming approach. Trusting God that eventually they will get it right when its time. God bless you my sister. Much love from South Africa ❤
I’m pregnant with #7, we had 5 , 8 years and under then my body took a break for a few years and we had #6 in 2022 and now due with #7 in December. It’s SO much different having teens (my oldest two are 13 and 14 now). We have a great chore system put in place so we are all able to help out as a family that we started 3 years ago and I always tell my kids and others it was such a blessing to have them all start helping out. Helps our day run so smoothly. We are pretty similar with nap training as well! I start around 6-9 months and overnight was closer to 12m although they never really slept through until about 15m lol!
I 100% agree about home birth. There are no cons in my opinion either! My first my water broke and contractions never fully started so the birth center had to transfer me. My 2nd was birth center, 3-6th was wonderful home births. Planning for 7th baby home birth in December ❤️🙏🏼
I think a lot about the kids growing up as well. What I have found so comforting was about 1 1/2 ago I started praying for each child each evening. My oldest is Monday , 2nd is Tuesday & so on. #7 is Sunday now although she won’t be born until December. This has given me comfort and I totally agree we really want our children to stay around/near us & that does come up in our prayers for our children! I hope to be super involved with our children and I have a lot of plans also with our grandkids and kids, etc being a close knit family. We don’t do sports and all of those extra curricular things but make things family friends and do things together as a family!
I always tell my husband the opposite haha I’m thankful we have 5 girls 2 boys, and boys leave the mother and cleave to the wife. But I get it also I want my boys here right by us still lol! It makes me sad to think I got married at 19 and my oldest could be getting married in 4 1/2 years if she gets married when I do!
PLEASE share what your plans are to keep your kids around later in life. It is so helpful ❤I always wonder how there are enough good paying jobs around in smaller towns.
Key is not being a control freak. Be open handed or you'll drive them away. They need to stay away from the internet and social media. Gen z and millennials will encourage each other to go No Contact NC at the slightest provocation.
My potty training is exactly like yours Lisa! Wait until 3 and put underwear on them and done. Sleep training is different. I never co sleep(because I simply can’t sleep with baby in the bed, I need space) baby goes into crib from day 1 and never ever had problems with sleep training any of the children.
The end made me laugh 😂. I have 6 kids, my oldest is 16 next week and youngest is 3. I think when people hear about large family they picture a day care. It's really not like that! My oldest 2 are girls and just like yours - they're awesome and helpful and fun humans to be around! That's the beauty of homeschooling and a large family. You really have all the time to shape them, lead them, & disciple them into who they were created to be. Just picturing 8 or 6 babies and toddlers is stressful. But that's not the reality for most large families 🩷
Thank you for sharing your life on the videos. I look forward to them. If you’re not getting criticizing (flak), you're not over the target. Your family is very fortunate to have you.
The way you described getting stuck in the back of Walmart. SO RELATABLE even with just two littles. I’m about to have my third which will make it 3 under 4 so I appreciate your encouragement!
You always seemed very genuine and maybe it’s because I came from a large family and we had seven kids that I just never assumed those things about you . I love listening to you and your sisters ! I truly hope your children can settle around you , they most likely will since you and your husband seem to be homebodies, I fall in that camp my three brothers all live within five miles of where they grew up and most of my sisters do too , but I married an entrepreneur ,visionary man who moved me from Pa to Mo and our seven children are living in Pa , Ohio and Oregon with only one daughter next door 😅.
Lisa you are amazing at your job! I love your relaxing beautiful content. Keep doing what you do so well ❤. There will always be judgemental people out there …. Just ignore them and keep doing your thing. Love all that you do!!
Hi lisa, Oh boy I remember having to sleep train both my kids. My you test son who is now 4 was so bad at daytime naps I had to do sleep training at about 8 or 9 months because it was very bad. It worked though, it killed me to hear him cry but it was all worth it.
Thank you Lisa! Thank you for being real! I’m about to become a mom of 7. My oldest is 16. Our family has been through the wringer with my now 14 year old’s health journey, since he was 7. I’ve got 4 boys & will have 3 girls. Thank you for always sharing your life with us.
Lisa🩷 I love your q and a videos!!!you inspire me in so many ways I can’t thank you enough. God bless🩷🩷🙏🙏🌼🌼🌼🌼 I love that you have a big family… I miss the days when my grandparents were here and we had family reunions!
Love everything you do! Our two daughters and their families live close by and I love it! I pray that your children will always be close to you! May the Lord bless your precious family! 😀❤️🙏🏻
Hi sweetheart. I’m 62 year old woman who loves your videos. The household and cooking videos are my favorite, they are lovely. I do also watch the other ones I watch in the hopes of being a grandma some day, (I’m a older mom of one daughter, she is 22 years old and single) We all (Dad, Mom and she are praying for a man of faith for her 😊) your videos would surely help her in every way. Last I so dislike when people watch videos and leave awful comments 😡 it’s so rude and not necessary, just don’t watch the videos. (If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say nothing!) And I wouldn’t say you’re privileged it’s more like BLESSED and with that comes hard hard work from you and your husband. Privileged is when it’s dropped in your lap with no work. That’s my opinion anyhow. God bless to you and yours…
Oh! So agree!! We did sleep training with our four at 10-14 months, potty training whenever they pushed readiness - so two for one kiddo, but around three for the rest and they were all trained in a day!
Lisa, do you ever talk about what you used to homeschool in the early years vs. what you use now? I have one in preschool and one in first grade and so far I haven’t used any curriculum since they’re so little. I’d love to hear what has worked over the years for you!
Love your channel and all you the enjoyment you have brought me with your videos. I also admire the way you handle the not so pleasant aspects of content creation. Hope you want to continue to do it for a long time.😊
One thing you need to consider is that your children will likely marry and you need to consider the other family's needs as well if they are out of area. Currently my daughter's mother-in-law does not 'share' well and sees my daughter 5x as much as we do. MIL lives in Atlanta and we are in CA. Our daughter wanted to go to an Ivy League school on the East Coast and she is super happy there. Had to let go.
I’d love to hear more about your process for sleep training in specifics if that’s not too weird to ask 😂 I have my first baby who at a year I would love to get him sleeping alone! But right now we are cosleeping on a floor bed in his room because we have senior dogs that sleep in our bed that I didn’t have the heart to kick them off the bed onto the floor.
At this point I will add that there are teenagers and then there are drivers. Once they get their license things change a lot especially if they also have a job and a source of income! Some good and some can be quite challenging. For some reason the shift when they could drive really shocked me and I wasn't prepared. All of my kids went through a phase when they started driving of consuming SO much junk food. I think because it was never around and now they could finally buy their own. One learned fairly quickly they didn't feel good eating it, the other learned but only after a long battle with gut health, and the other is yet to learn the lesson. I will say 13-16 are some of my FAVORITE ages and were pleasantly surprising to me. I find myself in a different phase with 23-16 year olds and only one left in school but three at home for now. It's a really different challenge and more emotionally exhausting than I ever expected. You have to let them make some decisions and learn lessons the hard way. It's not my favorite spot to be but I also see hope on the other side that they do move through it! I also think 12-16 or so also seem to be much more willing to work and help around the house and it's SO true that having boys that age can be very beneficial!
My whole family is military. So they are all over. We used to joke you could pick a state and I’d likely have family there. Ironically, we moved to Oklahoma almost 4 years ago…it’s one of the few states I have no family. lol. It’s ok. I grew up traveling. Driving to see the country as you head to your sister’s house is fun too.
Thanks for addressing parasocial relationships. Very interesting points. I met you and Laura once at Target and it was good to see you guys doing normal stuff. A good reminder that we are all just out here doing life the best we can.
Lisa, thanks for the input on how kids don't stay babies forever haha. It's such a simple concept but I think people, especially men, forget this and it hinders them from have more children because they fear the baby/toddler stage so much. I am sorry people attack you on where you're kids are at when you're working. I love that you all do extra things together beside your home life because that's what real life looks like; it's not always the same thing every single day. Anyway, God bless you and please keep making more videos!
You inspire me. It takes a lot of work to get where you are. So enjoy the "privileged" life and ignore the gossipy people who couldn't get where you are :)
Aw. It is good you aren't perfect and that you have struggles (but you are still cool) hehe. I am glad you enjoy making videos and I thank you for taking the time to do so. It is weird to think you get negative comments when you are just living your life and baking and cooking and people have to put in negativity for that. I don't get it. I wish people were kinder to others.
I enjoyed this podcast. I am always amazed by the judgement of people who are not or never have been in these situations. I often hear your little ones in the background (which I love). I don't have children but I am a very involved Auntie. The times when I have watched those four kids when Mom and Dad needed me were educating and exhausting, LOL! I loved it and we made a lot of memories. I think you, you're husband and children are very lucky. Keep your chin up and don't worry about what others think for feel they need to chime in about. Have a wonderful week>
My 4 year old is still in our room!! 😅 okay, you've convinced me it's time to move her out!! It gets so much harder when you wait too lo g also though, with weaning and moving them out, I waitied until 18 months, and it was hard, still night nursing so much, then 2, was harder.. 2.5 impossible haha so yes earlier is good..but not too early! ❤
Hi Lisa (and team)! Love your content. I have three littles 3 and under and you’re like the big sister I don’t have. I’ve learned tons from you about cooking, home making and mothering. Thank you! Are you able to add time stamps to your videos? I see you have the list of questions in the description but it would be helpful to skip directly to a certain section to reference a specific piece of information. Thanks!
Amen, so true! The one regret i have is not spending more time in prayer for each of my kids. Pray, mamas. It is the best thing you can do for them!❤
This. And not panic prayers. And not, "God change them" , but rather, "God change me!"
A girlfriend of mine told me about a book called “Hunt gather parent” when I had my son. It’s a really good book. I would suggest it. One thing she talks about is if you want your children to help around the house do not stop them from helping when they express interest in it when they’re very young. Like if your son wants to come and help you unload the dishwasher figure out how he can safely do that by giving him like the plastic or the silicone pieces. But the more we tell our children “no, you go play while I clean”, the more they’re gonna think oh my job is to play. Mom’s job is to clean. So then when they get older, they’re gonna think they don’t have to assist around the house
I’ve never commented here before but I want to say, that I’ve watched you for years and you have such grounded advice and I love that you are unapologetic about having a beautiful life ♥️ and also real about the hiccups/self doubts being part of the story! You’re like a mentor in so many ways. Being the first in my family to have any interest in homemaking, from scratch, cooking and gardening, you have been “that friend” I could look to for encouragement in pursuing those interest… And then over time it made it easier to make friends in person where we share similar interests, ideas! For instance, I made friends with a mom a few years older who will bring extra stuff from their homestead (veggies, eggs, bacon etc), and in exchange I give her homeschooled children private art lessons and share home made apple cider vinegar! It’s been the best little community and I don’t know that it would’ve been possible without your virtual encouragement.
love that!! Thanks for sharing.
You’re raising kids the old-fashioned way. The way it should be ❤ people who are not just don’t get it. Hats off to you!! ⭐️
The food thing works. My MIL always has something to eat and purposely because her doors are always open to her family and wants them to know that if they show up anytime of the day, she will feed them and sometimes it’s just coffee or tea and cookies. It’s great!
My Grandmas always had food too!
I love this. Definitely want to work towards this.
Your solo episodes are my favorite ❤
Loved the comment about not needing to teach a 4 year old to read🤣🤣🤣 I might have needed to hear that as I was just working on that earlier today😬🤦🙋
I'm the youngest of five children whose ages spread out over 19 years. (My siblings were 19, 17, 14, and 2 when I was born. When the oldest started marrying and having children my mother asked us to "give her Thanksgiving." We never had big family birthdays or Christmas, but we ALWAYS had Thanksgiving from the time I was born. Mother and Daddy have been gone 20 years, my siblings are now 91, 89. 86, and 74, and I am 72. We now have to rent a beautiful encampment near Houston to get all 90 or so of us together, but we do it. Yes, we are spread all over the US, but my grandchildren know and love my siblings' great grandchildren and look forward all year to their favorite holiday. It takes someone to organize, and sometimes it's hard, but SO worth it. There is nothing like standing in a huge circle with my people, holding hands, and singing the Doxology together.
My daughter is turning 3 and a half on the 18th of august. She just now started sleeping through the night. Thank you Lord!
Wow!!
Wow! That made me tear up!! How beautiful!!!
@@RCGWho It's so beautiful.
@@rachelmunoz I'm forever grateful for my mother's foresight.
Speaking from experience , if you want to raise family oriented children, keep them out of competitive sports- 30-40 hr training weeks, all the focus on them. Keep the focus on life skills and family for kids and you will have well rounded kids who will be a blessing to others and your family as the go through the teen yrs and into adulthood!
Wow. I've never heard this advice, but wow. This is gold. You are so right! I often wonder why my siblings and I are so close with each other and our parents, and I'm sure there are other factors too, BUT we were not involved in competitive sports, and I think we're all better for it!
I see your point, but I don't know of any sport training kids 30-40 hours a week...
I played college ball on a scholarship and I trained about 10 hours a week in high school and 15 or so in college. An athletic kid shouldn't be robbed of playing competitive sports, particularly boys. They absolutely need healthy competition and physical activity.
Our boys LOVED Cross Country! They are 25 and their fondest memories are competing. My daughter did well on the Cross Country team but really liked volley ball.
Don't make hard and fast rules. Some kids love and need competition. Just don't make it an idol.
Thanks for sharing your perspective.
I’m one of 12 …..we all live all over the country and it’s amazing visiting a different state and new adventures with our siblings and their families!
thanks for sharing!
I just want to say, I love your videos. I watch them not because I think you're perfect, not because it makes me jealous, not because I think you live in a fantasy land...I watch them because they make me feel good. They are a way to have a common minded "friend", to pick up new tips and tricks from. They are a way for me to decompress and become inspired when I find myself in a funk. So I say that to say this, please continue to doing exactly what you are doing❤ Some people think if they snuff out your light, theirs will be brighter instead of lighting the world all together.
I appreciate that!
I love that you sing the praises of teenagers! The popular refrain of complaining about teenagers bums me out as I remember how hard that time was for me and is for so many. Our grown kids were the best teenagers and are still just a delight to be around. Our strategy...treating them with respect and show an interest in what they love to do.
I married into a family where there are 10 siblings and we are all in the same county except 1 family who is in the county next door. It is so wonderful and special to have an intact family that still gets together frequently and happily. There are still a few siblings that are not married/still living at the parents house, so we shall see if everyone sticks around! It really is a blessing. My sister-in-law who is a mom of 7 just fell and broke her leg/hip and we are all bringing food etc pitching in to care for her family. I didn't grow up with that family dynamic so I know what a gift it is.
That is wonderful! Thank you for sharing.
You are a good-in-law. My sister-in-law came and divided us. We all left for another state cause she was the only child from an abusive household and pushed that negative energy into our family dynamic. It made family time miserable.
I CANNOT tell you how much I exhaled when you spoke about your curated videos etc. I used to find it SO hard to watch your videos because I felt like *I* was just a loser who couldn’t get their life together and *you* did.
I still struggle with feeling like a total loser who can’t get her act together to have curated videos because I am with my 11 children ALL the time with my husband working outside of the home and not having a lot of money etc.
I really appreciate your honesty here. Now I need to just keep living my own beautiful (to me) life.
What a blessing ❤❤ i am currently pregnant with my second baby and my partner said he is done after 2.. i still have hope 🙈
I am 24 years old with a 17-month old and a 3-month old. We just finally moved into our permanent home and town where my husband is the new Lutheran pastor. It’s definitely a challenge adjusting to being home alone during the day with both kids while still trying to unpack, organize, and keep on top of normal every day chores. We do expect to have a lot more kids, so thank you for the last bit of encouragement about it getting easier as kids get older. That’s a true comfort!
Lol I am exactly 1 year ahead of you on the same path. 3 kids, husband is a new Lutheran pastor as of 1 year ago, bought a house 1 year ago. Still ajusting to life in a new place. You got this! Praying God will send me more mom friends haha!
@@madelinehelwig8409I am 5 years ahead of both of you! Haha my kids are 5/4/2 and we have had our house for 5 years. But my husband is not a pastor. It’s already getting easier ! The oldest is so helpful already. Now I’m itching for baby #4 but husband isn’t ready yet!
Great advice! Mom of 15, and when I watch you there is so much agreement--even using the Bradley method in childbirth starting way back in 1983!
Love you Sherry!
I've read your homeschooling/Mom blog for years!! I love your ways of thinking and sharing those thoughts with us.
@@Jesus-lives-inside-me thank you💗
@@berrypatch5583 love you, too 💓
I was born in 1983😁. Sherry you could be my mama💞. We have had eight babies😁. How old were you when you had your last born?
You are not priveleged...you are blessed!!! I am 67 and the older I get, the more annoyed I get with busybodies. Keep doing what you love!! God bless you & yours!
Thank you!
When it comes to DIL, I think food helps, but ultimately what I think will make the biggest impact is treating sons less like they belong TO you and more like they belong WITH their wife. They are a husband FIRST and FOREMOST (coming only second to being a child of God).
I've noticed that DILs are more likely to want to be around their husband's family when their husband's mom/parents have good boundaries and respects their boundaries and doesn't expect to have the exact same treatment as the wife's mom/parents (in terms of birth & whatnot).
The couple tends to create distance when their parents (on either side - but more often than not the husband's side) offer unsolicited advice, question their marriage or parenting choices, or treats husband/wife as an accessory to their child instead of treating them as their own family unit.
I single out the husband's mom because often there is an attachment to her 'little boy' that doesn't translate well to him growing up and becoming a husband. That is why 'boy moms' get a bad wrap. Not all are like this obviously, but it is important to consciously make an effort towards letting kids become their own people as adults. Trying not to push away the woman your son chooses will go a long way towards them wanting to spend time with you because if it comes down to it and he has to choose, he should choose her (unless she is abusive in some way).
I am in a unique situation and don’t know my MIL and thus do not have to deal with her, but one of my good friends is very close to her MIL. She said that when she had her babies, her own mom would give her all kinds of unsolicited and bossy advice, but her MIL went along with how she wanted to do things for each baby, and thus won her heart forever 😁😁
Her MIL does have a beautiful house with a pool that they can use whenever, they do feed the whole family often, and they pay for vacations, too 🤣🤣
They’re great Christian people and generous!
That is awesome! I love my MIL honestly, she is great and very much is on our team (my husband & I's). Both sides of our family are really great.
This was for sure from observation rather than from personal experience. And as with most advice it is a 'take what you want and leave what you don't' situation.
Yep, my MIL is rude, tried to ruin our wedding and trample over every decision we make with our family and children. I was so open to having a great relationship and she is so disrespectful of everything it's nearly impossible.
I’ve been watching your videos for years but recently these Q&A’s have been SO wildly helpful. I’m a first time mom with a 9 month old. I’m also located in MO. Thank you so much for these videos! 🫶🏼 I hope to have a big family some day and also live a lovely homestead life
So glad you have been encouraged.
This was such a great video. You're a lovely person, Lisa. Your excitement about the future of your family, even your extended family, gives me such hope for all of us going forward. It's such a huge counterweight to the negativity we're faced with every day in our public lives. May God continue to bless you & yours & all of us in your example & teaching. Love you ❤🎉
Teenagers are the best! My kids are 18 and 16 now and they are responsible, capable and fun to hang out with. I think the key to having nice teenagers is to raise them right while they’re small. No one wants a teenager throwing tantrums like a toddler…
I’m a first time mom at 46 and I am absolutely loving these Q&As. I have learned so much from you already about parenting and it’s helped me relax a little bit. So, thank you and please keep these coming! I so wish could have 4 or 5 or 6. One more Lord willing!!
❤
Key to early sleep training: schedule 2 1/2 to 3 hours from birth, lay them down to sleep so they always sleep their own. Body click gets set and they sleep thru at about 6 weeks. I know at least 16 babies trained this way. Works like a charm.
I also did this and they slept through the night within 6 - 10 weeks. I found that giving them time daily to lay on their backs and kick and play helped them also. I couldn't carry them around constantly because of back issues I was lucky and they turned out great. If they wanted to be in sorts I let them and they loved it.
I love your solo videos lisa! So helpful for young, new moms like me.
For sleep training, I remember feeling so bad about doing it with my first after I started to see reels about it. I did not know people were super against it. For a second I thought I messed him up for eternity lol I did it when he was 6mo but I did not night wean him - meaning that he went from waking up 7+ times at night to only waking up ~3x to breastfeed and back to sleep. With my second I set up good sleep foundations since he was newborn and he would wake up also around ~3x after he wasnt a newborn anymore. But the amount of backlash I see online its disheartening. I just do what I feel like its best for my kids and I now without worrying too much about it
There were wars about sleep trying/schedule feeding vs demand feeding ( which don't tend to sleep) way back in 1995. There was a curriculum put of John MacArthur's church called Growing Kids God's Way. It flipped the demand feeders completely out. There were problems with GKGW, starting with the off-putting name, but schedule feeding was a God send to me. I need my sleep. And I've never felt bad about that. Anyway, a little history...
My great grandmother was a midwife in the early 1900’s until sometime into the 50’s. She delivered more than 500 babies, more than the doctor.
9:34 Yes to all of this! My kids are getting older, we are a second generation homeschool family, and I agree so much about taking your time and not pushing to get milestones passed early. If you just wait until your child is ready to pick up or move on to whatever it is, then it's so less stressful for the parent and the child, These things get picked up so much easier, and they don't carry any stigma about it. We never had any potty training accidents because I waited until they were ready and then, like you said, just stopped putting diapers on them one day. You mentioned long division and reading and things. If you wait until the child is actually ready to learn them then they pick it up so much faster and they enjoy it so much more because they haven't been trudged through trying to be forced to do something they're just not ready to do yet. Taking this more relaxed approach has worked for all of my kids, and they all are great readers, great at math, they enjoy doing all that stuff because it hasn't been forced on them before they were ready. I wholeheartedly agree with your philosophy on this. 😊
I love so much of what you said in this video! You are encouraging and inspirational.
What really resonated with me was your last few encouraging words to the young mom. I have 3 older kids and I’m due in November with a surprise little blessing. I’ve been so worried because motherhood has gotten so enjoyable and easy and I equate babies with the “drowning season” of all littles. I’ve been so nervous to return to that with adding this new baby to the family. But your comments reminded me that I’m truly not returning to that time! I’m a seasoned mom with lots of older helpers and it’s going to be a totally different experience. Challenging, I’m sure, as all new chapters usually are but not something to fear. Thank you for that reminder!
Congratulations!!
About raising teenage girls, it's funny that even as a now 24 year old mom I can still remember vividly my teenage years and things that bothered me and things that encouraged me. You are spot on. Be interested in what they're interested in (even if you only show a little interest), and don't have the assumption that all teenagers are the typical stereotype from movies. If you want to push a teenager into being a typical teenager, then by all means push that assumption on them. Another thing that helps is homeschooling and not letting them have those bad influences in their lives.
People tend to think as an influencer your gonna show everything, all 27/4 of your days, but you also deserve privacy and your kids deserve privacy.
And ultimately it's your choice what you show other people, no one is gonna see exactly and precisely how you live and what you do every day, it's obviously not 100%, its only a fraction of what your life is like, and that goes for all influencers. Real ones or sadly even overly fake ones.
You don't have to show us the most intimate and private moments of your life, you have to live them and be IN the moment ❤
I have 4 grown daughters and 2 grown sons. I found that if you lead your children by example and encourage them in their unique gifts( sewing, cooking, car mechanics etc. it helps the to strive to use those gifts God has given them)
I always worked along side the children and tried to show them all the contentment in the work needed to be accomplished. Not that they were our free labor but a productive part of the family 😊❤
On the topic of homebirth, I'm pregnant with my 7th, I had my first 5 in a hospital. Pregnancy #2 was twins, I ended up having a C- section, automatically making my other pregnancies high risk. #5 was born premature and sadly did not survive. I was considered high risk for sure after that, and I was still able to have my next two at home. #7 is due in about 6.5 weeks, and she will be born at home as well. Always do your research. Homebirths are extremely safe and generally have much lower adverse events because the mother is calmer. Nothing spikes the heart rate like a team of people moving around you very quickly to cut your baby out.
Congratulations!! Thanks for sharing with us.
Lisa you are such an encouragement and such a blessing to me! I keep envisioning you over the years being the famous mum & homemaker most women will look up to. God bless you beautiful lady🙏
Thank you, Lisa! ❤ I’m in the thick of it with littles and no bigger kids to help and it is a comfort to hear that this season is just hard and it’s not just me. God bless you!
Ooo the adult kids question was a good one! I would listen to a whole podcast on that and your plans / dreams
Thank you, Lisa. I needed this encouragement in this season of motherhood I am in. I really needed someone like you to say it does in fact get easier. ❤
Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and encouragement about the light at the end of the tunnel as our babies turn into kids turn into big kids turn into teenagers. These early years are tough, and without much support it can feel like I’m drowning some days; that story you shared about fearing you’d get stuck in the back of a Walmart gave me a visceral reaction because it’s so real! Haha. It’s so important for more experienced women to pour into younger women, it helps us keep our eye on the prize of raising beautiful kids from a place of excitement and empowerment rather than fear and overwhelm. Thank you.
Love what you said about potty training ! Mom of 4 here and I’ve always waited until age 3 and I’ve never really potty trained lol I think at that age they just get it. I wish more people knew this !
My son was 29 months and used an active potty training program and my son caught on quickly. We didn’t use training pants until we night trained. My son has done exceptionally well. He figured out that he was more comfortable without diapers. It really depends on the kid. I was a day care teacher and I’ve seen where they start training kids after 3 and the majority of the experiences were a nightmare.
@@aloras405I am wondering this too! A lot of what I've read has said waiting longer can make it harder because they'll actively resist etc.
I cannot imagine being first trimester pregnant with a toddler still in diapers. Sounds like a vomiting session every time I have to change one 😂😂 this is why I potty train my kids at 2 and get pregnant right after, Lord willing! I’m too big of a wuss!
Does Lisa use cloth diapers? I think that makes a difference because both my kids have wanted to be out of them, I think they’re more uncomfortable.
@@ktrayan1 she used to but I don’t she does anymore. I used cloth diapers myself and I loved it. I do think it made a difference.
I felt the same with my teenagers! My girls were great help to me and our son was wonderful help with my husband. We still have littles and as my big kids have gotten married and moved out I miss them being here. I miss our conversations and our relationships have changed, still good but different. But I miss them being here
Currently in the thick of it with 4 young children at home. We have had 2 under 2 twice. The first set are boys and the second set are girls. I can’t tell you how encouraging this podcast has been! Thank you Lisa for sharing and for your heart and your example!
So glad you were encouraged!!
I would love to hear more on your plans for those future daughter in laws!! I have 6 sons, no daughters:) so I am ALWAYS thinking on how am I going to bond with these daughter in laws so that way I can have them my sons and grand babies around:)
Thank you, thank you, thank you as always! Im always so appreciative of the opportunity to learn from you!
I don’t have kids; so, I truly enjoy watching your family as you all grow. I appreciate the few moments that you share the kids while they’re learning, laughing, having fun family time. Thank you for sharing brief moments of your life with us. Hope the positive impact you make exceeds the small negatives from others.
I don’t typically comment, but this video really hit home for me. I have 3 kids, 3 and under. Thank you so much for giving me some encouragement! 😅
Glad it was helpful!
I love watching your curated videos but it does help to hear you say (even thought I know it) that you show the pretty parts. I’m always inspired to go cut flowers after watching your videos!
Lisa, thank you for your wise words - it was exactly that I needed to hear right now! ❤❤❤
Hi Lisa: firs time comenting, even thought I have been watching you for years! Believe it or not, your channel came to my feed when I was on my debt-free journey. I remember watching and you telling your story and it really inspired me on so many levels. You are still a huge inspiration and love listening to you about day-to-day life/home advice. My husband and I have no kids (and won't) we are perfectly happy just the 2 of us, but I still enjoy hearing about your big family and how you and your husband make it come together. I wish every parent was as involved and engaged in their kids and home-life like you are, our country (and world) would be a better place. Thank you ❤
Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment..I enjoy hearing from followers and learning about them!
You answered so many of my unspoken questions! Thank you for sharing your beautiful life and giving us wisdom as you go!
So glad to hear that!
I love teenagers! The most difficult age is 18 to 21. After that you are set. Those are the most difficult ages because they are “adults” and want to try everything that was forbidden to them when living at home. They will be exposed to the world with all the outside influences and they can adopt a lot of behaviors that deviate them from your teachings. It’s the time when they decide who they want to be, not who we want them to be. It’s a time of a lot of prayer. If you can keep them living home during the first two years of college you are going to have more control on the way they will react to all the outside inputs. Then they will be ready to live independently and be successful.
thanks for sharing!
Love your vlog… I’m at the other end now and so loved raising our 5 children. And I too always wanted and want my house full of family. People change though, outside influences come in and the old saying appears to really be true…a son is a son until he takes a wife but a daughter is a daughter for the rest of her life.
The one way you do get to see them a lot is to always be available for babysitting. Not always what we want but it has given me great time to form fantastic bonds with my grandkids. However as we age we do get tired, tired of craft basket, tired of snakes and ladders, tired of cleaning nappies of making sure they get enough wholesome foods to eat,tired of getting them to eat them. And sometimes you just want a sit down and chat with their parents. They get very busy and I don’t even think they realise how they actually don’t sit down and chat with us.
We have big family things but they are mostly at our place and with nearly 30 people and whilst we have the room I am on the go the whole time getting this for someone or that, preparing things, and so on, they love to leave the mess and go home. My daughters do help a lot and the other girls help some too, and one is the instigator to rally everyone in to help so if she is missing it’s harder.
I wouldn’t trade it for the world but it’s not easy. Remember too daughter in laws feel the same about their parents.
And on another note my poor sister who also loves family around only had 2 and her son met a lovely girl who was on a working visa from Ireland they fell in love and married but she wanted to reside in Ireland. We are in Australia and as we age that sort of travel not only costs a fortune it is very hard on us traveling that distance. So we can pray our kids stay with us but reality is we have to let them go. We still love them very much.
Thank you for sharing with us..so nice hearing all the different experiences and perspectives.
I’d love you to do a full video on the topic of adult kids and plans to keep your family close. This topic occupies most of my brain space too. And my kids are still 5 and under.
Hi Lisa, I'm new here. I just want to thank you for your genuine heart. You have such a calming spirit. I feel encouraged and calm listening to you. Thank you for opening up and sharing!
Thank you so much!
Yup. Been a mom for less than 4 years. No family, no babysitters no date night without kids. 3rd baby coming. Love cooking and a clean house but everything is on hold till morning sickness is done.
Thank you so much Lisa. Awesome video. I am that mum that typically stresses over milestones and getting them to do stuff but your videos really helped me take a calming approach. Trusting God that eventually they will get it right when its time. God bless you my sister. Much love from South Africa ❤
Lisa you are just amazing!! Love your life and that you live close by all your family!! Blessed!!! 💗💗💗
I’m pregnant with #7, we had 5 , 8 years and under then my body took a break for a few years and we had #6 in 2022 and now due with #7 in December. It’s SO much different having teens (my oldest two are 13 and 14 now). We have a great chore system put in place so we are all able to help out as a family that we started 3 years ago and I always tell my kids and others it was such a blessing to have them all start helping out. Helps our day run so smoothly. We are pretty similar with nap training as well! I start around 6-9 months and overnight was closer to 12m although they never really slept through until about 15m lol!
I 100% agree about home birth. There are no cons in my opinion either! My first my water broke and contractions never fully started so the birth center had to transfer me. My 2nd was birth center, 3-6th was wonderful home births. Planning for 7th baby home birth in December ❤️🙏🏼
I think a lot about the kids growing up as well. What I have found so comforting was about 1 1/2 ago I started praying for each child each evening. My oldest is Monday , 2nd is Tuesday & so on. #7 is Sunday now although she won’t be born until December. This has given me comfort and I totally agree we really want our children to stay around/near us & that does come up in our prayers for our children! I hope to be super involved with our children and I have a lot of plans also with our grandkids and kids, etc being a close knit family. We don’t do sports and all of those extra curricular things but make things family friends and do things together as a family!
I always tell my husband the opposite haha I’m thankful we have 5 girls 2 boys, and boys leave the mother and cleave to the wife. But I get it also I want my boys here right by us still lol! It makes me sad to think I got married at 19 and my oldest could be getting married in 4 1/2 years if she gets married when I do!
And I 1000000% agree, teenage daughters are great! (My oldest is 14). My 3 older kids are such a blessing! ❤️
PLEASE share what your plans are to keep your kids around later in life. It is so helpful ❤I always wonder how there are enough good paying jobs around in smaller towns.
Key is not being a control freak. Be open handed or you'll drive them away.
They need to stay away from the internet and social media. Gen z and millennials will encourage each other to go No Contact NC at the slightest provocation.
You're not super human but you are a treasure, Lisa. Thanks for sharing with us ❤
This was so encouraging! I have 3 kiddos 3 and under, and you talking about getting stuck in the back of Walmart was incredibly relatable lol
I have been so inspired by your videos as a new homemaker this past year.. thank you so much! God bless your family!
I'm so glad!
My potty training is exactly like yours Lisa! Wait until 3 and put underwear on them and done.
Sleep training is different. I never co sleep(because I simply can’t sleep with baby in the bed, I need space) baby goes into crib from day 1 and never ever had problems with sleep training any of the children.
I could not sleep with a baby for fear of rolling on them. And it happens.
The end made me laugh 😂. I have 6 kids, my oldest is 16 next week and youngest is 3. I think when people hear about large family they picture a day care. It's really not like that! My oldest 2 are girls and just like yours - they're awesome and helpful and fun humans to be around! That's the beauty of homeschooling and a large family. You really have all the time to shape them, lead them, & disciple them into who they were created to be.
Just picturing 8 or 6 babies and toddlers is stressful. But that's not the reality for most large families 🩷
Grow where you’re planted! You can’t make it a better place if you leave. Deepen those roots
I don‘t even have a family but I just love listening to you and watching all your content. ❤
Thank you for sharing your life on the videos. I look forward to them. If you’re not getting criticizing (flak), you're not over the target. Your family is very fortunate to have you.
thank you!
The way you described getting stuck in the back of Walmart. SO RELATABLE even with just two littles. I’m about to have my third which will make it 3 under 4 so I appreciate your encouragement!
You always seemed very genuine and maybe it’s because I came from a large family and we had seven kids that I just never assumed those things about you . I love listening to you and your sisters ! I truly hope your children can settle around you , they most likely will since you and your husband seem to be homebodies, I fall in that camp my three brothers all live within five miles of where they grew up and most of my sisters do too , but I married an entrepreneur ,visionary man who moved me from Pa to Mo and our seven children are living in Pa , Ohio and Oregon with only one daughter next door 😅.
Lisa you are amazing at your job! I love your relaxing beautiful content. Keep doing what you do so well ❤. There will always be judgemental people out there …. Just ignore them and keep doing your thing. Love all that you do!!
Hi lisa, Oh boy I remember having to sleep train both my kids. My you test son who is now 4 was so bad at daytime naps I had to do sleep training at about 8 or 9 months because it was very bad. It worked though, it killed me to hear him cry but it was all worth it.
Ok I officially need to know everything you’ve done in your parenting. Those teens sound amazing 😅
I love listening to your podcast while I’m gardening. Always great topics, Thankyou 🤍
Thank you Lisa! Thank you for being real! I’m about to become a mom of 7. My oldest is 16. Our family has been through the wringer with my now 14 year old’s health journey, since he was 7. I’ve got 4 boys & will have 3 girls.
Thank you for always sharing your life with us.
Lisa🩷 I love your q and a videos!!!you inspire me in so many ways I can’t thank you enough. God bless🩷🩷🙏🙏🌼🌼🌼🌼 I love that you have a big family… I miss the days when my grandparents were here and we had family reunions!
Love your Q & A’s. Such information and wisdom for Mom’s and families.
Love everything you do! Our two daughters and their families live close by and I love it! I pray that your children will always be close to you! May the Lord bless your precious family! 😀❤️🙏🏻
Hi sweetheart. I’m 62 year old woman who loves your videos. The household and cooking videos are my favorite, they are lovely. I do also watch the other ones I watch in the hopes of being a grandma some day, (I’m a older mom of one daughter, she is 22 years old and single) We all (Dad, Mom and she are praying for a man of faith for her 😊) your videos would surely help her in every way. Last I so dislike when people watch videos and leave awful comments 😡 it’s so rude and not necessary, just don’t watch the videos. (If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say nothing!) And I wouldn’t say you’re privileged it’s more like BLESSED and with that comes hard hard work from you and your husband. Privileged is when it’s dropped in your lap with no work. That’s my opinion anyhow. God bless to you and yours…
I appreciate that!
Oh! So agree!! We did sleep training with our four at 10-14 months, potty training whenever they pushed readiness - so two for one kiddo, but around three for the rest and they were all trained in a day!
I look forward to listening to your podcast and viewing your blog even though I have young adult kids! Thank you for the encouragement every week!
I appreciate that, thank you!
Lisa, do you ever talk about what you used to homeschool in the early years vs. what you use now? I have one in preschool and one in first grade and so far I haven’t used any curriculum since they’re so little. I’d love to hear what has worked over the years for you!
I have shared here on this channel...I can't direct you to the exact episode but you can probably search homeschool and it will come up
Love your channel and all you the enjoyment you have brought me with your videos. I also admire the way you handle the not so pleasant aspects of content creation. Hope you want to continue to do it for a long time.😊
One thing you need to consider is that your children will likely marry and you need to consider the other family's needs as well if they are out of area. Currently my daughter's mother-in-law does not 'share' well and sees my daughter 5x as much as we do. MIL lives in Atlanta and we are in CA.
Our daughter wanted to go to an Ivy League school on the East Coast and she is super happy there. Had to let go.
I’d love to hear more about your process for sleep training in specifics if that’s not too weird to ask 😂 I have my first baby who at a year I would love to get him sleeping alone! But right now we are cosleeping on a floor bed in his room because we have senior dogs that sleep in our bed that I didn’t have the heart to kick them off the bed onto the floor.
Toughen up. Lol. Punt the digs, sleep train the baby, and go sleep with your husband. You can do it!
At this point I will add that there are teenagers and then there are drivers. Once they get their license things change a lot especially if they also have a job and a source of income! Some good and some can be quite challenging. For some reason the shift when they could drive really shocked me and I wasn't prepared. All of my kids went through a phase when they started driving of consuming SO much junk food. I think because it was never around and now they could finally buy their own. One learned fairly quickly they didn't feel good eating it, the other learned but only after a long battle with gut health, and the other is yet to learn the lesson. I will say 13-16 are some of my FAVORITE ages and were pleasantly surprising to me. I find myself in a different phase with 23-16 year olds and only one left in school but three at home for now. It's a really different challenge and more emotionally exhausting than I ever expected. You have to let them make some decisions and learn lessons the hard way. It's not my favorite spot to be but I also see hope on the other side that they do move through it! I also think 12-16 or so also seem to be much more willing to work and help around the house and it's SO true that having boys that age can be very beneficial!
My whole family is military. So they are all over. We used to joke you could pick a state and I’d likely have family there. Ironically, we moved to Oklahoma almost 4 years ago…it’s one of the few states I have no family. lol. It’s ok. I grew up traveling. Driving to see the country as you head to your sister’s house is fun too.
Thanks for addressing parasocial relationships. Very interesting points. I met you and Laura once at Target and it was good to see you guys doing normal stuff. A good reminder that we are all just out here doing life the best we can.
I love how down to earth you are!
Lisa, thanks for the input on how kids don't stay babies forever haha. It's such a simple concept but I think people, especially men, forget this and it hinders them from have more children because they fear the baby/toddler stage so much. I am sorry people attack you on where you're kids are at when you're working. I love that you all do extra things together beside your home life because that's what real life looks like; it's not always the same thing every single day. Anyway, God bless you and please keep making more videos!
I loved this episode. I think because you didn't hold back 💜
Great idea with doing QnA only. They are my favourite ❤ thank you for your work ❤
Thank you so much Lisa, you are so inspiring and informative. 😊
I’ll have to watch your antibiotic episode. For the first time in my children’s lives I have to give my youngest son antibiotics due to Lyme disease.
Antibiotics are important in certain instaces: lymes disease, strep, and post PANDAS are a few that come to mind.
You inspire me. It takes a lot of work to get where you are. So enjoy the "privileged" life and ignore the gossipy people who couldn't get where you are :)
Aw. It is good you aren't perfect and that you have struggles (but you are still cool) hehe. I am glad you enjoy making videos and I thank you for taking the time to do so. It is weird to think you get negative comments when you are just living your life and baking and cooking and people have to put in negativity for that. I don't get it. I wish people were kinder to others.
Love these Q&As! Thanks for sharing with us!
I enjoyed this podcast. I am always amazed by the judgement of people who are not or never have been in these situations. I often hear your little ones in the background (which I love). I don't have children but I am a very involved Auntie. The times when I have watched those four kids when Mom and Dad needed me were educating and exhausting, LOL! I loved it and we made a lot of memories. I think you, you're husband and children are very lucky. Keep your chin up and don't worry about what others think for feel they need to chime in about. Have a wonderful week>
My 4 year old is still in our room!! 😅 okay, you've convinced me it's time to move her out!! It gets so much harder when you wait too lo g also though, with weaning and moving them out, I waitied until 18 months, and it was hard, still night nursing so much, then 2, was harder.. 2.5 impossible haha so yes earlier is good..but not too early! ❤
Hi Lisa (and team)! Love your content. I have three littles 3 and under and you’re like the big sister I don’t have. I’ve learned tons from you about cooking, home making and mothering. Thank you!
Are you able to add time stamps to your videos? I see you have the list of questions in the description but it would be helpful to skip directly to a certain section to reference a specific piece of information. Thanks!
Not worrying about him choking on a Lego 😂😂😂😂
Accurate haha I’ve got 3 under 6 years old right now and my 5 year old is SO GREAT!
Would you share your fourth sister’s TH-cam channel please ? I already watch yours and My oily Home also Our Sunny Days and I enjoy all of you !
New Hartford Farm Co
I love your pretty, relaxing videos. I’ve been a big fan for six years and learned so much. Screw the people who criticize 😊
Thanks!
Yes and amen! More laxed and older is much easier and less stress in training in all areas!