I never thought I'd be the one to say that parenting four kids was different than parenting two because whoa, parenting two kids was pretty challenging.
Though truth be told, I was living at my in-laws at the time so that could have been a part of it.
But I've quickly learned that parenting four kids is so much different than parenting one, two, yes, even three, so much so that I have been desperately seeking the support of other moms who are in the same boat.
A very large, rocky, sometimes extremely hard to paddle, boat.
But since I couldn't really find anything, I decided that I would start something of my own. You know, in my free time.
So yesterday, along with Meagan Francis (one of my favorite people and the amazing woman behind The Happiest Mom), I launched 4 Kids or More, a blog that focuses specifically on parenting larger families. Especially modern larger families.
AKA NOT THE DUGGARS.
Thankfully, I'm not alone in this endeavor, because along with Meagan, I've enlisted the help of a few amazing women, like Molly from Mommy Coddle, Lylah from Write Edit Repeat, and Stephanie from Adventures in Babywearing.
We hope that 4 Kids or More will be a community for all moms (and dads) of many kids who are looking for support, ideas, and tips, as well as a place to share their own experiences and expertise.
I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who can use a little help.
If you have a spare moment, I hope you'll stop by and say "hello." I think you'll find it to be a lovely place, with lots of wisdom.
And if you don't have four kids, it might just be the inspiration, or, well, birth control you were looking for.
Hey, Kristen! Can I be a part of 4KidsorMore? I have four children. In fact, I had four children in four years; they're now 6, 5, and almost 2yo twins. I'm also a full-time working mother whose husband is a SAHD.
I'd love to join the group. Have I got stories to tell! And loads of advice for parents with large families. Just wondering.
Posted by: Eatmisery | September 15, 2011 at 10:48 PM
Awesome! I will definitely check it out!
3 kids seemed to be the key number that it was the 'hardest' for me. #4 & #5 kinda just slotted in well with not much more chaos :)
Posted by: miss.cinders | September 15, 2011 at 04:19 AM
See, the problem is that your kids are so cute they don't actually work as birth control. I just see your babies and want more in spite of myself.
Posted by: Jaelithe | September 15, 2011 at 01:07 AM
Reading this article I can relate to it because even though I do not have any kids I come from a large family. Even though it might be challanging at for a while but at the end you end up with a big loving family. I think in my opinion the bigger the better. When those kids are older it will get easier and you will have a larger family to have big dinners with and hopefully be united. Thats the best thing about having a larger family, there are more people to love.
Posted by: DJ | September 14, 2011 at 09:59 PM
I have five adult kids (2 step) and 8 (going on 9) grandchildren! Cherish the time when they are little. As hard as it is sometimes, it goes very fast.
Posted by: Laurie | September 14, 2011 at 02:23 PM
I have 4 kids!!!! ;) And I am a full time teacher. And wife. And a million other things. I can't wait to read along. I agree that I am ALWAYS looking for like minded people who are going through the same issues I am. And are asked the same questions...to which my answer is "yes, they are all mine. And yes I know how that happens." ANd my new answer in the teacher's lounge "Pay for college? Why do you think I sign her up for dance lessons now?"
Posted by: Theresa | September 13, 2011 at 08:41 PM
Awesome! I'll be checking it out. I only have two, but always wanted three or four...until my second was born and I learned how crazy life is with 2 kids.
I need to see how you other ladies are managing it before I decide whether or not I am out of the baby makin business!
Posted by: Rachel | September 13, 2011 at 08:17 PM
Four is a whole new ball game. Thanks for starting up a site for those of us who aren't exactly your stereotypical large family mamas! And if you ever need another contributor, count me in!
Posted by: Amy Jo | September 13, 2011 at 07:34 PM
Ladies, can you please help my pregnant best friend win a Donut Divas Station for her baby shower. The competition is cheating and it would mean the world to her to win.
Simply visit: http://www.facebook.com/#!/DonutDivas
and LIKE their page.
Then LIKE Picture #4: http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10150283851963551&set=a.10150283849508551.342425.110009903550&type=1&theater
Thank you ladies!
Posted by: Grisell | September 13, 2011 at 03:29 PM
I'm so excited to be a part of this - already it seems a huge hit and that's an awesome celebration of our big fams!
Steph
Posted by: Adventures In Babywearing | September 13, 2011 at 02:34 PM
I'm so excited about this!
I currently have a 6 year old and a 4 year old and I'm pregnant with TWINS!
Looking forward to reading!!
Posted by: Alison | September 13, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Awesome! I have so much respect for parents and even more for those with "larger" families. I always wanted 4 kids. But then we struggled for years to get pregnant and we couldn't--so we finally adopted (which we wanted to do anyway) and after we brought our son home, I thought this is so great--I can't wait to have 3 more. Less than two years later we adopted our daughter and it was then that I thought "Wow, one would have been great."
All joking aside--parenting isn't easy and I am so glad that moms with 4 or more kids have a place to draw from for inspiration, commiseration and support. Great job.
Posted by: The Dalai Mama | September 13, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Love you and Stephanie already, so this will be a great blog to check out! We have 2 but I've been seriously contemplating growing our family to at least 4. Hopefully this new blog will help me see how it can work. Thanks for doing this!
Posted by: Amiyrah @ 4 hats and frugal | September 13, 2011 at 10:54 AM
I love this so much! I'm still working on parenting ONE (and that kicks my ass more days than I'd like to admit), but I've always imagined having four (or six, or ten!) children.
Posted by: Noelle | September 13, 2011 at 10:46 AM
Still kid-less, but I've always loved big families and we hope to build one of our own - will follow the new blog for inspiration! :-)
Posted by: Kate | September 13, 2011 at 10:41 AM
Love it! The site looks gorgeous!
Posted by: Liz | September 13, 2011 at 10:30 AM
I'm adjusting to two, and while I'm pretty sure I'm done, I'm always looking for ideas on how to make things work better. Not to mention, if you count my husband as one kid, and my job outside the house as another, I'm up for four kids. ;)
Posted by: Amelia Sprout | September 13, 2011 at 09:33 AM