Recently, I feel like I’ve been grumbling in my spirit about different things going on in our family. To most people, I keep my complaints to myself. I ask God every day for a thankful heart.

The thing is, as a mom with 8 children, I feel like I can never complain. I have t hold it all together. I see it in their eyes, “well, what did you think life would be like with so many kids?” I’ve even had someone say, “Well, you created this.” Funny, if a full time teacher with kids complained about his/her job, would we say, “Well, maybe you should reconsider this whole teaching thing.”Hey, we moms with a lot of kids know that we created this and what a beautiful thing it is! It’s only with GOD’S GRACE that we received so many blessings. He will empower us for the journey, but that doesn’t mean it will be a cakewalk. I feel like large families are viewed through a different lens.

Biblically, complaining is a sin. “Do everything without complaining or arguing.” Phil 2:14. Oh yeah, you can bet I’ve recited that verse millions of times to my kids! But, wait, what about me? We are all human, so let’s just admit we complain!

A Time to Complain

• Not right when your husband walks in from work. Yep, preaching to the choir here. I am so guilty of this. I’ve been trying to work on it and I hope he notices.
• Not in the heat of the battle. Usually, those moments will calm down in a matter of minutes, if not seconds ,so complaining about the situation in front of your kids is usually not good.
• Not to your friends who have no children and desire them. Or to the friend that has to work for financial reasons and would love to stay home
• DO: Tell your husband specific areas you are struggling and ask for his counsel. Just saying, “I”M DONE! I CANT DO THIS ANYMORE!” is not helpful to him. In fact, I’m pretty sure he will withdraw from the whole conversation!
• DO: Tell a good friend your struggles and ask for prayer and some suggestions. Most of us have been through the same thing at one time or another if we have more than one child.

A Place

• Not out in public where you seem out of control. You want those “Wow, so many kids, don’t you know how this happens?”comments, complain to the grocery clerk.
• Not on a day when you know it was just an off day. Have hope that tomorrow will be better.
• Not to people who are going through much more than just dealing with daily kid issues. I’ve been on this side and most people just want to say, “Shut up already.”

I write all of this because we moms of large or small families get overwhelmed. We have days (sometimes seasons!) where we have to vent to let someone else know our struggles.

Some days we literally count down the hours until bedtime. Just yesterday, my six year old said, “MOM! Only 4 and a half more hours until bedtime!” I laughed because I thought only moms did this countdown.

Today I commit to turning my grumbles into prayers of thankfulness. James 1: 1-2 reads, “My brothers and sisters, you will face all kinds of trouble. When you do, think of it as pure joy”

Have a blessed day!

Sonya