MckMama Talks about Starting a Family

There's certainly enough bad news these days to dampen your enthusiasm for starting a family. For all the gloomy headlines, what's often missing are the family-starting stories from mentors. Stories showing that having babies is still a worthwhile endeavor—maybe the best thing you can do in tough times.

Following is the first in our series of interviews with people who've been an encouragement to us on the path to family. To kick it off is our Q&A with ubermomblogger, MckMama. If anyone can speak to the hows and whys of starting a family, it's this super cool mother of many small children.

We hope this conversation, and those to follow, will serve as virtual mentors for this dramatic, and thrilling, life change.

Did you (or Prince Charming) have any unusual cravings during pregnancy?

I craved salt so bad it hurt. I could drink nearly a gallon of milk a day. And apple crisp made me go ga-ga when I was with child.

What's the most annoying toy or children's show that parenthood has brought into your life?

My husband and I promised that we'd never allow our children to have toys that talked/needed batteries. That plan fell by the wayside and every time I hear Leap the Frog singing the ABC's, I cringe!! But our children love it and they know their letters, so I have just learned to tune those annoying toy noises out!

How has having children affected your relationship with God?

Having children gives us ample opportunity to forgive, plenty of chances to see imperfection in someone yet still love them, and many chances to start each day with a clean slate. That is precisely how God sees us, His children, when we sin: He forgives us, still loves us and wipes our slate clean over and over. Parenting has let us experience that aspect of God's love and has made us love and appreciate Him all the more for it.

When do you find time to read/blog/edit as a parent?

We believe in early bedtimes for our children for a number of reasons. My husband and I believe it is healthiest for children to retire early and get ample sleep. This kind of "schedule" also affords us the alone time we crave, as well as the time to do our own things. My husband and I love to watch movies at night, and I love to blog beside him in bed while he reads. Our children slumber away peacefully and we all get what we need!!

What advice would you give a couple considering starting a family?

Start soon!! Once we were married, my husband said his only regret was that he didn't marry me sooner. We did not want to have that same regret with our children. We became pregnant during our first year of marriage and now, five years later, we have four children. We do not regret starting our family right after getting married. We would not have had it any other way. We would have hated to have missed out on any blessings God would have had for us by holding off on starting our family.

-----------------------
MckMama, author of the popular blog My Charming Kids, and her husband have been married for five years and have four young children. Through the ups and downs of parenting, they have learned to rely less on themselves and more on God ... and to duck when one of their children yells, "Wook out!!

Comments

[heather]

We also had four children 4 and under-love it! Then we had 5 kids 7 and under. and now 6 kids 9 and under :) People ask us when we go to the grocery store if it is a daycare...as IF daycare workers would actually take their crew to field trip at the grocery store!?!
I say GO MCKS!!! We have no idea where the provision is coming from besides the Author and Perfecter of our faith-and in these "hard times" His provision is evident merely in the comic relief department alone! :)
Blessings,
Heather

[Ann]

Heather, I am a daycare provider not worker. I do take my 6 daycare children to the grocery store all the time. Have you ever thought how much learning can take place at the store? How about weighing different fruits and vegetables? How about looking for square, triangle or circle crackers? We do things for the kids that their parents may not have time for in their busy schedule. Please do not make assumptions without realizing that you probably dont really know what goes on in a daycare. Blessings, Ann

[Beth]

I have worked in numerous daycares and trips to the grocery store or even the mall were not uncommon at all. There is so much learning to be done and children need to see the different aspects of life all over. The majority of parents are too busy to take time to make "trips" a learning experience.

Beth~

[Brittney]

I think starting a family early can have it's benefits; however, I also think God can and does give blessings as a couple decides to wait a bit on children as well. I believe that blessings from the Lord are not on the basis of what we choose or choose not to do in regards to when we start a family and I just want to be a voice that says, waiting a few years to have children was a wonderful blessing to me and my husband. We have also made the decision to space our kids out a bit rather than have all of them within a very short amount of time. That has also proved to be a good thing for our family.

[Rebekah]

Well I just love Mckmomma and her hubby's take on children. I had the same take except I am headed down a different road as a single mom of four small and big children, as well as being pregnant with my fifth...and well thats a different story. LOL Read my blog to find out how that journey will end.

[Bailey]

I LOVE your blog!So I heard that you are having a baby.I am soooooo happy!What are you going 2 name it?I am a 9 year old my mom told me about u and I was hooked when I saw your blog 4 the 1st time.