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The challenges of raising a large family are diverse. Housing, food, bills, clothing, sports, hobbies, and education are only some of the issues involved.
An even greater challenge involves the emotional makeup of each individual child. Each child has different emotional needs and a separate personality from the other children. And each needs to be nurtured and helped to grow to maturity.
Children do not all perceive love the same way(which is also true of adults). One child may need physical touching as the way to comprehend that you REALLY love him. Babies and small children usually need the physical touch but as they grow older this can change.
Other ways that children may understand your love is through encouraging words. Some children flourish with much encouragement and affirmation given to them. Others think it is okay to get that but the physical touch means even more to them.
Yet another child may need you to DO things for him to feel loved. When you iron their clothes or run them places and do other things of this nature this sends a signal to them that they are loved.
Other ways children need love shown to them is through gift giving or quality time. Have you ever bought something for your child only to have him show very little interest in it? Did that make you think that he was ungrateful? That was not necessarily so. Listen to what your children are saying to you. That same child may come up to you and ask you to read a book with him or go play ball with him. In other words, spend QUALITY TIME with him.
Perhaps you buy another child a small gift(it doesn't even have to be anything big or expensive) and they tell everyone about it and thank you over and over for it. What does this show you? That child understands and experiences your love through gift giving.
Try each of these different things with your individual children and you will soon find out which one opens their heart to you. When you find this out you are on your way to a new and exciting relationship with them.
There are so many joys with raising a large family--think of all of those "firsts" that you get to experience! First steps, first words, first tooth, first LOST tooth, first birthday.....multplied over and over!
There are also tears. The times so hard for you to take: when they are hurt or rejected by others, the times they hurt YOU, or disappoint you, or frustrate you. The times they are sick or injured.
There are challenges of bedroom space and sibling rivalry, bathroom time and bedtimes!
Through all of this you must find time for yourself. You must have time to be away by yourself for your good AND the good of the entire family. It doesn't have to be a LONG time, but it must be SOME time.
In summary, I would have to say that raising a large family encounters the same challenges as that of a smaller plus some additional ones. It means more adjustments for all concerned. It means learning how to share and deal with selfishness. It means putting others before yourself.
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