Friday, March 30, 2007

WHY?

WHY?



Why is it that this week since I've had all of my kids home with me on Spring Break that everyone has to comment or question on all of my kids?

"Are those ALL yours? "

"Wow! You must be busy!!"

"There goes YOUR spring break!"

"Kids take up a lot of time..."

"I hope you get a break from your kids today!"

"Wow, what a large family!"

These are all comments and questions I have gotten this week as I've been out and about with my kids. I do not, personally, understand their excitement. My kids, for the most part, are well behaved. I do not think we draw undue attention to ourselves, but we must.

Yes, I realize that I have more kids than most people in today's world. But there are still many others with more than me. Quite frankly I'm REALLY HAPPY to have my children, all of them. No, they are not a burden to me! I feel I exist to be the best Mother I can to them!! I know I'm so imperfect in many ways. But I do try hard and sometimes, too often, I fall short.

So in response to all those store clerks and strangers at the park, in the mall and on the street, "YES! These are all my kids and they keep me busy but I wouldn't want it any other way. Admittedly my hands are full but so is my HEART!!!" I could not imagine living my life and feeling like I should have had one or two more children and I never did and now it was too late.

I think I caught many of these naysayers off guard when I let them know my kids are not a burden at all and that actually I ENJOY spending time with them!

My children bring me so much happiness. They are really lots of fun to be around! It is not easy. They do keep me busy but that helps keep me young. They all have their own personality and individuality that makes them interesting and unique. I'm so humbled to be the Mother of these fabulous 5 kids. I think they teach me more than I teach them.



My kids and I last year on Mother's Day!

11 comments:

Angie said...

You have got to love stranger comments. Sometimes I ask myself the same why question when people say weird things to me. I think they should just say nothing if they can't say something nice, like how cute they are, how well behaved they are, etc.

I agree with you about our children keeping us young. I love being with my kids. It keeps me busy but I love it.

Thanks for sharing. You are a great mom and your children are blessed to have you as theirs'.

Denise said...

You tell 'em, Kari!

Lucy said...

Kari, that picture of you on the couch makes me happy. Your kids will benefit greatly from having a mom who not only enjoys her large family but lets others know too. They will be proud of being part of such an important group that gets noticed!:)

I bow down to you:)

Kelly said...

That is a beautiful picture.

My friend is pregnant with her fifth and has been getting those kinds of exclamations since the third. Now she just says very seriously, "Oh these are only a few, I have a handful more at home." People gasp and she just walks away. Kind of funny.

{krista} said...

I have received comments like that when I was babysitting! So uncalled for!

Jill said...

Stranger comments are the worst. I'm always amazed by people's rudeness because most of them grew up with many siblings too, so I never understand why it's so shocking to see a family with 4 or 5 kids out and about.

Of course, I don't know how you do it and feel tired just thinking about it, but I think it's great that you love being a mother.

jenny said...

Good for you standing up and saying something. Amen to all that you said! Thanks for the great perspective--you are my hero :)

Donna said...

SO glad you wrote this post Kari. You are a sweet mum and good on you for letting people know where you stand on this topic. Our children do keep us young, and how glad I am of that.

Bridget said...

Love the picture of you and the kids.!

Doodle Bugs said...

Such a beautiful picture of you and your kids!!
From someone who does not have any children (by choice) your life is something I can not imagine.. but it looks so wonderful! I love the quote about your hands being full but so is your heart! So sweet!!

I am Laura said...

What a beautiful family. If I saw you I would say, "How do you have so many kids and look so great?"