I have been reading a variety of books this summer. Several of my friends have given me books to borrow including The Robe, Breakfast with the Pope, the Outlander series, and the book I would like to talk about today, A Sane Woman's Guide to Raising a Large Family by Mary Ostyn.
One day I must have looked especially harried, because my friend, Carmen, recommended this book and let me borrow it. Thank you Carmen! Now, I know I am not raising a large family, only two very precocious girls, ages six and almost four. However, I could identify with many aspects of this book.
First, some background on the author, Mary Ostyn, is a mother of ten children, six who came to her family through adoption. She home schools her children, and written many articles on parenting and adoption. She als had written a cookbook and shopping list entitled Family Feast for $75 a week. She blogs about her adventures at Owlhaven where she shares her stories, her recipes, and her beautiful photos.
To me, women like her are rock stars. How she can keep it all together is amazing to me. I hoped by reading her book I might gleam some insight and pick up some tips.
The first part of the book dealt with overcoming the financial obsacles of having a large family and what creative ways her family did so. Although, my family is much smaller, we too struggled as we reduced our income by 65% when after the adoption of our second daughter, I resigned from my corporate job and became a stay-at-home Mom.
Lately, I have been struggling with is my reaction to my children when they are being contrary or argumentative. I feel I need to "fix" the behavior immediately, but often times my own irritability only adds fuel to the fire. In her chapter entitled "The Super Mom Myth", Mary addresses this situation. She offers this insight:
"When I disengage when the negativity starts and take time to think about my response, I am almost always a more effective parent."
Sage advice, indeed.
There is also much humor is the book. The story of her husband, her oldest daughter, Amanda, and a binkie, made me laugh out loud!
Her calm, common sense approach is easy to read, and never made me feel incompetent. She offers practical tip about finances, meal planning, chores and everything else that came with raising a family. I highly recommend this book.
Two things I am going to do this week I am subscribing to Owlhaven, Mary's blog and I am ordering this book to keep on my nightstand.
This is great, Mary! Tomorrow is the Bright Maidens' summer reading topic/ post-- you should share this one! I really like it! You always find such good reads which I know I will need one day!
Posted by: Julie @ The Corner With A View | 08/01/2011 at 11:01 AM
This is such a spectacular suggestion!! I know I'm several years away from having a family, let alone a large one, but I suspect I will need the wisdom this book offers. I love that it provides suggestions for financial management because that is one of my biggest fears! Thanks, Mary!
Posted by: Elizabeth | 08/02/2011 at 09:48 AM
Someone suggested the Outlander series to me (I can't remember who) and since I love historical fiction, I picked it up.... I didn't make it past the first few chapters. Already there were clothes ripping scenes. I think I actually just threw the book away!
Thanks for the other suggestion!
Posted by: Liesl | 08/02/2011 at 10:57 AM
Elizabeth,
Financial fears were my biggest stumbling blocks to staying home with my daughters. We made quite a few budget cuts, but frankly, we still had to take it on faith and trust God will help us. One year later, we keep on trusting, and He keeps on providing for us.
Posted by: Mary @ A Simple Twist of Faith | 08/03/2011 at 07:00 PM
i'm so excited I just bought lastnight the 7th Outlander book. I still haven't started the "extras". I could use a book on finances though. Lately? none.
Posted by: kyooty | 08/04/2011 at 02:15 PM
Liesl, the outlander series? It's so much better better best than those parts of the book. Beleive me I thought the same thing at first but since I bought it on a friend's recommendation? I kept reading. Keep reading.
Posted by: kyooty | 08/04/2011 at 02:17 PM
Kyooty,
I agree with you on the Outlander series, what are the "extras"?
I am amazed Mary Ostyn can feed her family of 12 on $800 a month. I struggle to keep my grocery budget under $500, and frankly, my little girls don't eat that much, say compared to three growing boys!
Posted by: Mary @ A Simple Twist of Faith | 08/04/2011 at 05:40 PM
That's beautiful, Mary! I need to remember that trick: Trust in God. Novel idea!
Posted by: Elizabeth | 08/05/2011 at 12:57 PM