She's a handful!

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Karoline00021

Okay, so my baby skills are a bit rusty.  Either that, or I never used to get anything done around here!  This little bundle of love doesn't sleep much and she is only happy in my arms (or the arms of her biggest brothers).  Frankly, I'd like nothing better than to sit around for the next six months and just gaze at her (isn't she adorable?).  But, there were all those carefully thought out homemaking resolutions and all those lofty educational goals!  I can sit with her in my arms or stand with her in a sling--either way, I'm slow as molasses in January when it comes to productivity. I'm not all that into multi-tasking.  I'm a terrible typist with two hands, never mind with one.  The house must be kept, meals must be cooked and there are seven other children in my house who need my love and attention.  Much as a I want to, I can't babymoon forever. So, share with me ladies--what are your best life-with-baby tips?  How do you savor the infant days while still meeting the other duties of your vocation?

Karoline00011_1

Lately, I've been thinking especially about a certain mother of 11, who did a beautiful job with her big kids (now grown and proof that it can be done), despite lots of babies for many years.  (Coincidentally, the sweater Karoline is wearing came from that very fine Ecole Buisonierre.)

Rule of Six

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Mary asked me to ponder this a bit.  In order to raise healthy, happy, holy children, I think they need these six things everyday:

  • Living Liturgy--children need to embrace the faith in all its wonder and glory.  They need to celebrate the liturgical year, to frequent the sacraments, and to have a deep family and personal prayer life.
  • Encounters with beauty--art, music, literature, nature:  while we certainly don't get to all four, every day, at least one a day is necessary.
  • Fresh air and exercise--children need an abundance of fresh air and plenty of exercise every single day (so do their parents).
  • Meaningful work--there is plenty of meaningful work to be done in a Catholic household.  Children can be taught to do it cheerfully and well.  And they must be told again and again how vital they are to the well-being of the family.  The work has meaning and purpose.
  • Ideas to ponder and discuss--I stole this one from Lissa, who wrote the original Rule of Six and got us all pondering.  One of the greatest joys of home education is unearthing ideas and discussing them with the people we love best.  Every day, for the benefit of all of us.
  • Focused attention and affection--every child, every day needs the focused attention of his or her parents and they absolutely need the parents' expression of unconditional love.