Reading is a favorite pastime of mine. Anytime I can come up with a good reason to jump down an educational rabbit hole and buy more books (if I can’t first find them at the local Library) then I am all in! Over the years as our family has grown, I have continually searched for and read books on the topic of big families. The sad reality is there are very few out there concerning this topic. Hardly any of them are current. The books listed here are a few that I enjoyed and have found to be helpful regarding raising a big family.
Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham
We are a Christian Family that desires to raise our kids to follow Christ. This book has been beneficial in helping guide us on that journey. You learn how to teach a Biblical Worldview to your kids. It paints a picture of why having an established Family Worship Time where you read the Bible together as a family is beneficial. It encourages you in to evaluate other areas in your life such as Education, Marriage, etc. to make sure they resemble what God directs in the Bible. Rather than resembling the Christian American Dream.
While this book was written over 15 years ago, it is Biblically sound so you can learn a lot when it comes to raising your family in a more God honoring way. Check out Voddie Baucham’s YouTube video The Background of Family Driven Faith to learn more about why he wrote this book.
Home Management: Plain + Simple by Kim Brenneman
“This sensible and straightforward how-to manual is filled with systematic procedures, easy-to-understand organizational advice, with tips and hints for managing a bustling home with greater efficiency—all in a way that honors God and builds family relationships.”
I first read this over 5 years when I was expecting our second baby. While life has continually changed over the years this book helped me create a strong system for completing what I need to in a week. Whether that be Household Chores and Tasks. Homeschooling our older children. Navigating the rough waters of First Trimester, etc. No matter what is on your plate, know that with a little preplanning you can get things done. Every few years I enjoy rereading Home Management: Plain and Simple. I can always glean new pieces of wisdom.
Raising a Large Family by Katherine Schlaerth
Unfortunately, this too is a bit dated as it was written almost 35 years ago. However, there was still some information that I found to be helpful. If you are looking for help with, “issues such as time management, disciplining kids in different developmental stages, handling pregnancies with toddlers and children in the family, and dealing with financial and emotional strains.” Then this too with be a beneficial read.
A Sane Woman’s Guide to Raising a Large Family by Mary Ostyn
“Whether your idea of big is three kids or ten, you’ll find plenty of tips to manage the day-to-day distractions—and enjoy the blessing of a large, loving family.”
I did find this book very helpful as the author is a mother to 10 children. There are topics covered that I would love for her to have gone into more detail with. Because of that lack of detail this book gave me the idea for the Big Family Logistics Series on the Blog. Thanks Mary Ostyn!
Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids by Kim John Payne
This book is not specifically for Big Families, but it has been helpful in shaping how we simply our home environment. Create space in our schedule. Scale back screen time, and slow down rather than rush through the gift of childhood for our kids. I highly recommend all parents read this book!
Looking to learn more about Big Families…
Please read my Big Family Logistic Series which covers various topics on the subject. Or if there are other things concerning Big Families you want to know more about, please leave me a comment. Thanks for stopping by!
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