One of my many struggles...

Well, if you read my post last Wednesday, you know I'm participating with several other bloggers in a series called All In A Day. We all have large families and are writing about different aspects of managing our households. Tomorrow's topic is grocery shopping and cooking. So, come back for that one if you want to know the way we do it.

A misconception about mothers of large families is that they have it all together. Many mothers experience stress and anxiety over the pressure this puts on them. I'm no exception. I feel some sort of obligation to maintain the persona. Why? I don't know exactly...maybe I don't want there to be a negative picture portrayed of large families. I want people to look at my family and say, "Hey, they look happy, I want what they have." The truth is I want people to want Jesus, not some large family mentality or anything else. Conversely, I don't want someone to see us having a real life moment like a toddler meltdown and think, "Well, Lord, please don't give me that many children."

There has been a book published called "Large Family Logistics." I would love to look at a copy but I don't know anyone near me who has one. I have entered a few giveaways but haven't won yet. Well, I have another chance to win at She Looketh Well. I'm know if I had that book, I'd surely get it all together :)

My biggest struggle is with the stuff that seems to multiply in my home. Things like momentos, toys, and clothes. I rationalize that the toys and clothes will be handed down to the next child. The problem is we have more clothes and toys than we need. And, the stuff is taking over my home.

I've been reading some interesting books lately. One is called Unstuff - Making Room in Your Life for What Really Matters by Hayley and Michael DiMarco. It has been helpful in shifting my thinking about stuff. Anything that gets between me and my relationship with God is something I should think about living without. The stuff in our lives takes so much time...organizing, cleaning, insuring, protecting, and so on. I'm working on that, in fact, I have a professional organizer coming tomorrow to help me reduce. I realize I need help in this task for my mental well-being. Clutter does more damage than just to the house. I'll let you know how it goes.

Another great read, which I've just begun is called "Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things." by Randy O. Frost and Gail Steketee. While I am not a full out hoarder and I don't think I will turn into one, I do see some similar traits in my thinking with that of hoarders. If someone took everything on the top of my dresser and threw it out, I'd panic. I know there are important things there. Along with some bonified trash. I'd think about the missed opportunites in that pile of stuff which is something that hoarders think about when they save magazines. The magazine might contain something important they want to remember. I don't have a problem with magazines or newspapers. Just sayin.'

The authors in this book delve into the philosphy of acquiring and owning stuff. Plato thought everything should be shared. Others have thought the extreme. You know, get all you can, can all you get and sit on the can. I just read in our school books today that the early church sold their houses and land, pooled it together, and distributed it to everyone according to need. I'm not saying it should be one way or another, I'm just finding it all very interesting how some people attach themselves to possessions and others don't.

So, check back to see how my organizing goes. And, pray for me.