enter our current giveaway: Family-building webinar
Welcome back to the weekly 4 Moms post, in which 4 moms with a collective total of 35 children share our knowledge, experience and and helpful tips in maintaining health, order and sanity.
This week we’re going to answer your questions again – my favorite 4 Moms topic – and I’m going to do something new. I’m going to do my First Ever Audio Blog! Are you with me, people?
Check out the wisdom being dispensed like cups of juice by the other 3 moms:
And now, the questions. Remember when I begged you all not to ask about potty training? If I was trying reverse psychology, it would have been a grand success. Unfortunately, that’s not what I was trying. C’est la vie, or something like that. We speak more Spanish down here than French.
Listen to the full Q&A session and let me know what you think of my first audio post.
Contents:
1. Kristin, Rebecca, and JCF all asked for a post on potty training. I guess I’m not getting out of that subject. Specifically, we’re talking about older toddlers who know how to use the toilet but won’t do it consistently.
2. Anna is wondering what to do when your child does wrong in a certain area that you yourself have or have had weakness in.
3. Meg is dealing with interrupting toddlers and wants to know what to expect of a 3.5 and 5yo.
4. SW stumps me when she asks for recommendations for some great Mom/daughter books and toys for her first daughter after 8 sons. By the way, Perry listened and informed me that J.L.C. was in Halloween, not Psycho.
5. Mother of five needs tips to teach her children to work diligently.
6. Lisa wants to know what to do about dishes in a big family: paper, plastic, real, or other?
7. Katie L wonders if I always knew I wanted a big family. In my answer, I refer to this post about how we came to a conviction about family size.
8. Julianne is curious about our bunk beds. I forgot to mention that we have added safety rails which we were able to order from the manufacturer.
9. Juliana B was wondering what’s for lunch. We do this when we’re boring, or this when we’re in a fun mood.
10. Erna asked how I normally spend the first week after the birth of a new child, and whether I prepare your home and family for this particular stage – especially back in the old days when I didn’t have a team of ready helpers.
11. maryjo wants to know how rising prices are affecting our grocery budget.
As they say in show business, that’s a wrap. What do you think? Is the sound quality ok? Do you think I should do it again in the future, or do you prefer to be able to read the entire post? If I do it again, can we call it a podcast? Can anyone guess where my recording studio was? Now I’m full of questions.
Do you have a question you’d like to see or hear on Life in a Shoe? Ask in the comments on this post and I’ll give it my best shot.
Upcoming topics for 4 Moms 35 Kids:
- March 1 – Secret, mainly because we haven’t decided yet. Or if we have, we haven’t told each other.
Recent topics:
I listened to your Q/A audio and it was clear and sounded great. I’ll be honest though, I prefer a written post because I can read faster and time is at a premium when I’m on the computer.
I really enjoyed your audio blog. You sound so cute! and wise too!
Hey the girl in this audio sounds hot. Can you get me a date with her?
I loved it! I could listen while I cleaned the kitchen. Thanks for this post, such wisdom!
I much prefer it written, because it takes much less time. I read through all of your posts, but didn’t bother listening to this audio blog.
It’s not very convenient for me to listen while doing other stuff. We have only a desktop, so we can’t move it around. Talking and other noise makes it difficult to listen. And, I just don’t follow audio as well as written.
Loved the audio
I have a problem with books for girls too, it seems to me that it’s easier to find things to read for boys so I look forward to addressing that.
Kim,
I guess I am in the minority, but I LOVE the audio. I have a fair amount of computer work to do each day and so have plenty of time to listen, but not much to read. And it is great to hear your voice and your intonation as you explain things.
I have a question about beans as you mentioned that your family eats a lot of bean. How do you cook dried beans so that they do not become a mushy mess? I do fairly well in soups, but for something like Chili, without the broth to cushion them they become “mashed beans” when I try to add other ingredients. I would love to get away from the high-priced cans if possible.
Thanks so much for answering all our questions!
Elizabeth
Loved it! It was a nice change.
As a working mom, I simply don’t have time for video/audio. I can read pretty well, and can read things MUCH more quickly than a video or audio recording takes, and unfortunately my ‘free’ time is at a premium. I enjoy reading your blog, and appreciate your efforts. I did not listen.
I prefer written. I’ll come back and listen to the audio when I have a chance — but I don’t know when that will be.
I like the written better. I can read faster.
Can you post pictures of the bunk beds with the safety rails? How much did it cost to order the rails and did you only get them for the top 2 on each set?
I prefer the written. I read your blog from work and the audio is blocked on my computer. I’d love to hear how you address #3, as I have a 4.5 year old that we’re having behavior issues with right now. Can you or someone who’s listened to this provide a transcript?
I, too, can read faster than I can listen, but I enjoyed hearing your voice, and I was able to throw out junk e-mail and hang up my laundry while listening. It was a nice change of pace and I love it when I can multi-task!!
What a prettu sweet voice you have. I did enjoy the audio. I do how ever prefer to read it.
Thanks so much. Blessings to you
Another who strongly prefers written posts, for the reasons HeatherHH gave and because they’re searchable. I did not listen to the audio.
Loved it! However, I would like to know how it stayed so quiet in the background!
How do you work one bathroom?
I loved the audio! But maybe thats because I had time this morning to listen.
I have a question about naptimes with your little ones… I have a 1yr old and one on the way and I feel like my life revolves around her naptimes( 2 a day now). How do you handle naptimes with your younger children and do you plan things around their naps, or just expect them to learn to sleep wherever they are? I was wondering how this works in a large family where it may be hard to coordinate those kind of things perfectly.
Hi! The audio was a little quiet on my computer and it was neat to hear YOU actually talking through many of the questions, but I prefer a written post. One of the other comments read that her “time at the computer is at a premium” and I have to agree! Thanks for taking the time to do this, though! I would love to read anything about beginning to homeschool….I’m scared to death!
Nicki
I loved the audio…but then again I don’t have kids to chase after yet =)
Thanks so much for your honest answer to my question. It made me feel special!
Love it – your March 1 topic too. =) I always tell my kids that it’s a surprise when they ask what’s for supper (it’s a surprise for me too!!).
You sound so sweet and wise!
I liked your blog post, but as some have already said, I prefer wortten ones.
You should realli do a radio program or something like that
I loved the audio post. I was able to listen while I checked e-mail etc. Also it seemed like you gave more information with the audio than a written post.
I’m sorry – I didn’t listen either. I MUCH prefer written. It is just too hard to listen w/ several people around making noise all the time. The only way I could listen would be to use headphones, and I can’t do that, because then I couldn’t hear the house falling down around me.
Hi, loved the post, I do prefer a written one(it’s already loud in my house and hard to focus…). Question: We bought the same “bunks”. Where or how do I get ahold of safety rails? Thanks so much!
Betsy,
Here is the manufacturer’s page for the shelves we have: http://whalenstorage.com/products/industrial_rack_black.html. I just called the number on the website and was able to order the rails individually. We bought 2 for each set so far, and plan to buy more just because they help keep the bedding from sliding around.
Shipping isn’t cheap so 8 rails actually end up costing as much as a complete set of shelves did from Costco (which comes with 8 rails) but we didn’t want all the extra parts, and ordering individual parts online also kept us from having to wrestle the box in and out of the van.
I listened and I loved it! I am bust with 6 children, but it’s good to stop and listen to things now and then. My eldest daughter enjoyed it as well. My answer to your studio question: the bathroom. It sounded like it was a small-ish room (not any echo) and it obviously had a door (hence the quietness). Either that, or your car.
I do have a question about school stuff. My eldest is in 10, so that’s about 3rd grade I think (I don’t use one particular curriculum, so I’m guessing) and I haven’t started her, or the others scholars, on a history and science program. I’m thinking of the history program from AIG that Raising Olives has talked about, but that’s not for another 2 years or so. Do you think this would be a problem or not? We do, of course, talk about history details and basic science knowledge (my husband is a chef, so he enjoys talking about the science of cooking). It’s not like they are clueless about things, just not as saturated with details as their public school counterparts are.
Thank you Kim!
Jennifer
I really enjoyed hearing your voice, Kim. You have a lovely friendly gentle pretty voice. I admit that I didn’t listen to the whole thing because it was so long and time is so precious. I recommend keeping your audio posts shorter
. Appreciated your admission that you don’t have potty training fully figured out, either. It’s always nice when someone is real and doesn’t pretend to have it all together 
. God bless you!
I didn’t listen to the audio because I normally have the radio on or something else going, and it is quicker for me to read it. Plus I would be able to skip through information that I wasn’t as interested in if I was reading it. I enjoy reading your posts though!
You have such a pretty voice. It was fun to listen and have a cup of tea. Thanks!!
I loved it! You have such a nice voice. And to be able to listen while I work is great.
Audio was great. Was plenty loud enough on my iPod and meant I could clean the kitchen.
For the next Q&A
How do you find time to exercise, especially when there are no children old enough to baby sit yet?
Thank you sooo much for this great audio post!! Loved being able to hear all of your advice without having to hurry through and just skim it. I ws able to fold three baskets of laundry and still enjoy your experiences!!
Thanks again!!
Like many others, I enjoyed the ‘novelty’ of hearing your voice, and I thought you sounded clear and articulate. However, on tthe whole I find written posts more convenient.
Yep, I’m going to agree with many others who said written is better because computer time is limited! I can read (or skim) faster than I can listen. Maybe you could offer both options, if one of your girls would listen to the audio and type it out for us, secretary-style!
Audio was nice for variety. I liked being able to hear your voice. However, it was very quiet, which meant I had to be AT the computer to listen. I like the written posts because I read very quickly and it takes less time. I second Erin’s opinion of doing audio and having one of your girls transcribe it for those who have limited computer time.
I prefer to read your posts. My computer is in the family room and I must seperate children at naptime and usually have two in here with my during my “Computer time” so listening is not an option for me. I was very interested in some of the reader questions but won’t get a chance to hear the answers. Oh well
Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed this audio post – it wasn’t perfectly clear here, but I could still make out what you were saying & I have to say you have a lovely accent to listen to!
Thank you for doing this
Renata:)
I listened to your audio post over the ironing and enjoyed it.
Do you have any problems with your children sleeping? We have a toddler who wakes in the small hours, often due to itching from a skin problem, but then wakes his sibling in the same room. We are working on treatment for the skin but this causes a fair amount of disruption.
I love the audio post and all the questions. I think you should definitely do it again.
Agree with many others. I loved hearing your voice for the first time – BUT my computer can’t be transported to my kitchen counter, and you can’t SKIM audio like you can text, so for me it was not nearly so convenient. Maybe a short audio if the HEARING of something would be helpful – like practicing obedience with a child, or a cute kids’ song, or something along those lines. Otherwise, I’d prefer written. THANKS!
Well I thought I’d be in the “I prefer written” camp but once I finally got a chance to actually listen to it I found that I LOVED the audio!
I love the written too, but the audio was a nice treat. I have 2 toddlers and a 6 month old so the noise level in my home was a bit distracting, but I enjoyed being able to listen to your voice and answers while dealing with toddler-drama. 
Love your answer on interrupting and have started implementing that method immediately. My 4 1/2 year old has been getting really demanding and I didn’t even realize I needed that answer until I heard it. So thank you! 
Hi Kim! I prefer written posts, however I did enjoy getting to hear your patient, gentle voice today:) An audio post/vlog makes me feel like I “know” a blogger I so often read:)
I hope it is ok if I add a couple comments on the woman wondering if you had always wanted a big family. I have always wanted a big family. Though I grew up in a family of only 5, the Lord has from a young age placed a deep desire and passion in my heart for a large family. The same has been true with my husband. The Lord has blessed us with 3 biological children, and has also *blessed* me with a bleeding problem. Why would He give us such a desire for kids and then allow me to have these issues? Well, in the past year He has made it abundantly clear what a blessing this desire for kids is. The road of adoption is not easy…a lot of work and heartache are involved…so it is good He has made us passionate about kids! Once we found out how desperate a need there is for adoptive families both here in our own nation as well as internationally….we are content with His closing our womb. We know He will bring children into our home who need a mother, father and guidance in the Lord, and are thankful for that! We adopted 11 week old twins 2 months ago, and are praising His name for growing our family and placing these children in our arms, rather than the office of an abortion clinic!
Thank you for adding this, Julie! I felt foolish afterward for not mentioning adoption as another way to act upon our love for children. We haven’t adopted yet, but many of our friends and acquaintances have and I think it’s a beautiful reflection of our own adoption into Israel as God’s children.
I loved the audio! I read blogs on my iPhone so I plopped it into the speakers in my kitchen while I kneaded bread.
I loved the change of pace and the chance to hear your voice, but I prefer the written because I can read faster than I can listen.
Question: How do you handle sunscreen? It is apparent that your family is outside for many hours a day. Do you all wear sunscreen, do only some of you wear it, how do you afford it, and who is responsible for making sure that you are all slathered up when necessary?
Hey Kim, Can you talk about dogs? Specifically, what to do when dogs drive you crazy? Needy dogs? How do you instill a love of animals in your kids…and be nice to the dog when you don’t feel like helping one more needy creature?
I just now finally got to listen to this… we haven’t had internet at home for the last month due to moving to a new house and I never remembered to take headphones with me to the library. In general I agree with some of the other commenters that the written format is much easier (doesn’t disturb/distract a nursing baby, faster, etc.). However, I did really enjoy the audio format this time and it was neat to actually hear your voice after reading your writing. I think a lot more of your personality comes through this way, which is neat.
At first I thought I didn’t really like the idea of an audio post because I can read quite quickly but then I realized I could start it and do something else, which turns out to be more efficient. I’m also a blogger and wondered if you found it easier to do an audio post or is it easier for you to do a written post?
It was much harder the first time but I think it would get easier with practice, and I really enjoyed doing it!
I don’t think this is the right comments box but I couldn’t find the other one. Questions:
1. How do you train older siblings to help younger siblings and how do you train younger siblings to be respectful of older siblings?
2. How often do you really sweep and mop your floors. Mine always look dusty and have an assortment of things on them. Crumbs, toys, paper, food, etc… What time of day??
(mother of 9)
How do you honestly and truly keep your kids schoolbooks orderly? Does anyone at your house under the age of 13 have the same journal or book journal thry had last year? So is there a consequece for doing your math in your science notebook? Well you couldn’t find it.
Also, how do you get messy writers become neat writers?? I think you may understand the length and breadth of this question.
I have a schooling question. My baby is 9 months old and I am already stressing about preschool. I live in a large city where there is immense competition to get into the best public schools and even greater competition to get into the best private schools.
My husband and I are seriously considering sending her to a private religious school, but we would have to send her at the age of 3 to secure a spot so (on top of the tuition cost – I won’t even tell you because the cost would make you sick) I am hesitant to “ship off” my baby at such a young age.
Now, getting to my question. I am a working mother, so I have never considered homeschooling an option. Let’s assume I continue to work (I understand your feelings/convictions on mothers’ working), do you believe homeschooling is an option? And if so, how can it be done?
My question is about your chickens. This could probably be a post in itself, or perhaps you have already done so? I just want to know all about them: how you assign care for them, how you handle the eggs (dirt, storage, etc.), predator protection…anything else you can think of. I ask because we have a small flock of our own (23 hens + a rooster), but living in the middle of Alaska, and only being a family of three and one on the way, we probably “do chickens” differently, especially because they are literally cooped up for much of the year. Thanks!
I agree that your voice is nice to listen to, but I do prefer the written as well.
And I finally have a question for you ladies: How do you find time for projects which need to be done that require your undivided focus, and which the children can’t help you with?