[sblk]

I'm starting to have those thoughts. I'm really wondering how we're going to do this now. We adopted 6 children and sometimes with all the noise, mess, bickering, etc. I wonder how I'm going to hang on.

I love my kids so much but sometimes I felt at a loss. I'm looking for some support ... please.

thanks

[journeytolily]

Do you read and participate in any large family websites/forums? You can get a lot of ideas and support from others who know just what you are going thru! No, they are not specifically adoptive families (though some are), but you'll find that many share in your day-to-day challenges of a large family.

If you want some links, PM me.

[lucyjoy]

Not sure how old your kids are but it helped when I had a lot at home to have more structure. I used color coded things like towels but for socks, since so many were the same size, I just bought the same brand, tossed them in a basket and replenished as needed.

Bickering had to be done outside under the bickering tree as we don't allow that indoors. Complaints could be made to either the tree or the vacuum cleaner as neither minded. If they really needed to complain to me, their was a written form available as I only take written complaints.

I did give them rules for tattling. I mean, if their brother was going to light the house on fire or skate board off the roof, that I might need to know right away.

Having large families can be tough but you just learn to go with the flow of things. Hang in their. If you love your kids, you will survive this.

[sblk]

Thank you both for responding.

LucyJoy... what can I say! That was funny! Thanks for the laugh.... I do love my kids so much but sometimes I wonder how I'm going to get through this without wanting and wishing for them to hurry up and grow up... which presents a whole new set of challenges.

The youngest of 6 is 6yo and the oldest is 9yo. Two sets of 9yo, two sets of 8yo, one 7yo, and the baby is 6yo. And, I have a bio daughter 25 and her baby girl, almost 2yo.

Journeytolily, I definitely want the links... I will PM you.

[SAHmom]

I briefly think that when I spend the days between therapy appointments and whatever. Then I really look at my kids and realize that I am blessed to be a mom of twelve kids...even on those days! In fact, if it were up to hubby and I we would adopt again in a heartbeat!

[sblk]

I'm on the computer late tonight and can honestly say I'm glad I am....

In fact, I been piddeling on here for awhile but kept telling myself I need to get off of here and go to bed...

I'm glad I stayed on! 12 children! You have restored my faith! How in the world could I ever complain!!

Please share with me how many are adopted? All 6 of mine are and I have 1 bio daughter 24yo.

I know that my kids are absolutely a blessing but sometimes I feel a little overwhelmed. Not like I'd rather have less but ...... it's just a little overwhelming because all 6 are between the ages of 6 and 9.

I hope you make your way back and share your story!

[SAHmom]

sblk, two of our twelve were biological children. and one was a relative adoption. We adopted nine of our children. Only three of our adoptions were from out of state and the rest were in state adoptions. All were through the fostercare system. Our kids' ages are: 19, 18, 17, 16, 14, 10, 8, 7, 7, 6 {7 on the 22nd}, 5 and 4.

Half-siblings are #1} the 18, 10 and 6 year old, #2} the 16 and one of the 7 year olds, #3} one of the 7 year olds, 5 and 4 year olds. The 17 year old was my nephew, now is my son. The 14 year old was our first adoption when he was 7 years old.

Does that make sense? Our adoption journey started in 2002 when our b/d was a year old and our b/s was 12 years old. Funny thing is that when we started our adoption journey, we were looking to adopt one, maybe two. I have gained so much experience and insight over the years!

It's normal to feel overwelmed! Remember to take care of yourself!

[o2b30again]

I saw this thread awhile back and just popped in to see how things were going. Back when you first posted I thought...wow I could be in her shoes. We had just been informed of a situation that may come our way.

Well...as you can see by my signature it happened! I can fully understand being overwhelmed. Sometimes I think if I ever see another load of laundry I just may run away!! Two of our adopted children are high needs. They have FASD and 2 of the foster kids are RAD. The four of them keep us on our toes. The other two older ones, my biological children, are heading into their teenage years and boy that's fun...(this is suppose to be highly sarcastic ) The other two are only 11m and 2yrs so we will see what time will bring us.

3 days after our foster children were placed with us my husband had to travel for his job. He has been gone now for three weeks. He did come home for 2 days but as far as the normal everyday stuff it falls on me. I am still doing home childcare because I am only going to quit if these "new" three stay as a foster/adopt placement. Right now they are reunification. So during the week we add 6 more little ones under 5 during the 7am-5pm shift.

We were not planning on fostering but these children are the cousins to our adopted children. We had to say yes. I wouldn't ever said no but there are days I just may go crazy I don't think that I have to go into it because I am certain you understand the everyday chaos of raising an instantly large family.

I just wanted you to know that you are not the only one. We can be strong and lean on the friendly folks here for support. These children NEED us more then anyone else ever will. A few crazy moments now will lead up to a bunch of "remember when" stories when we are older. I keep telling myself that I am going to miss this someday.

Please give us an update on how your doing....

[sblk]

Hi y'all!

I can't believe how long it's been since I posted on here! Don't you hate when people do that? You're having a dialogue with them and all of a sudden they disappear? LOL

I've been so busy! Actually, more busy with my oldest daughter (25 now) and her baby, then I've been with my young children!

I'm doing okay. But, first wanted to comment on the last two posts. OMG! SAHmom! You have got to come back and post how you manage it all! What a blessing!!! You and they are blessed to have one another!

I'm with you, we only intended to adopt 3 and once you see how bad the need is... well, I know you understand.

How are things going for you?


o2b30again,

How are you! Yeah! Oh to be 30 again!!! I'm 46 now so I'm definitely thinking along those lines! I'd keep the age just give me back some of my energy!

Laundry! Girl, I know you didn't bring that up! LOL OMG!! Don't skip a day! I skip one day without washing a load or two and I'm in trouble for real!

And, I got a bunch of pee-cats! That's what I like to call them. At least 3 boys pee in the bed practically everynight! I try so hard to wake up during the night to get them to go to the bathroom but somedays I'm just to tired! Yeah, that laundry is something else!

Well, I don't envy you about those boys heading into the teen years! I dread that! My 25 yr old was the pits! She was so hard for a while there I'm surprised I survived to want to raise anymore! That's rough! We'll have to stay in touch!

I'll have to check here more often. Sometimes, I do feel so overwhelmed. Oh, and thanks for being so understanding. It's been a while since I saw my post heading and had the thought right now that someone could have misinterrupted what I meant and blasted me for saying it that way.

Hope to talk to you soon,
Kelley

[Fatcat]

I have this picture in my head of my youngest child really pouring out his heart to the vacuum cleaner! LoL. Hilarious!