Ginny Smith: Large families can create logistical problems for parents
By Virginia Smith
When my sisters and I were singing together as "The Wells Sisters," one of the songs we did was "Eight is Enough."
We three sisters had eight children among us, so it was fitting and proper that we sang that particular song.
It was the theme song from a TV show of the same name - the only difference being that the family in the TV show had 8 children all in the same household.
At least, with the Wells Sisters, we had them divided into three households - divide and conquer!
With the recent onset of news articles about the "octomom," there has been much ado about large families.
When all of those newly born octuplets come home from the hospital, there will be 14 children living in that house.
That's enough children to fill a Kindergarten classroom. That's enough children to field two complete basketball teams with benchwarmers!
And, for a mother who seems a little light in the thought department, having 14 mouths to feed and 14 bodies to clothe will be a daily challenge.
Recently, I have become enamored of a TV reality show called "Jon and Kate Plus 8."
The show is in its fourth year on the TLC and is a glimpse of family life that 'normal' people rarely get.
Jon and Kate (residents of Central Pennsylvania) get married and have a set of twin girls.
After a few years, they decide to try for another child, and with the help of in vitro fertilization, have sextuplets - 3 boys and 3 girls. Holy instant houseful!
I think the beauty of the TV show is seeing how Jon and Kate manage their daily lives. John works fulltime, but Kate, a nurse, quit her job to stay home and take care of the kids.
The logistics of raising 8 young children is akin to moving the Fifth Army from one battle zone to another.
Forget about the feeding and clothing - how about just the time to give individual attention to each child?
How about cuddling time and book reading and diaper changing and settling arguments and...well, you get the point.
Throughout the shows, Jon and Kate keep a sense of humor and (although Ringmaster Kate can be prickly and demanding at times) are loving toward each other.
They are good disciplinarians most of the time, although when the 6 younger children get whiny, the noise level in that house rivals a sonic boom.
Of course, dear reader, you must understand that my current Pawleys Island lifestyle is quiet, reserved, organized, and relaxed.
When I travel to FL to visit our daughter and her family, the level of activity created by the four children and two big dogs puts me in culture shock. If I visited Jon and Kate's house, I might just lie in a fetal position on the couch.
One of my favorite episodes of "Jon and Kate Plus 8" revolves around Kate's desire to take her kids to Hershey Park.
John can't go because he has to work. Did that stop our Super Mom? No. She conscripted a friend to help her and the troop visited the park.
The kids were most concerned about getting chocolate (a rare treat, since their nurse Mom doesn't let them have much candy).
They enjoyed the rides and the shows, and even had their picture taken with a character dressed like Hershey candy. They all got home safely, tired and happy. Kate needed a day at the spa after that.
Another great episode was the "4th of July" parade. Kate had planned everything to within an inch of its life.
She had red, white, and blue clothing for every child (and for herself and Jon); she packed two picnics and a ton of snacks and drinks.
She bought a new "travel rope" that had circles tied at strategic intervals so that the kids could each hold one and stay in an organized line for walking.
Jon wanted to take the carriages, but Kate insisted that the kids were old enough to walk and needed the practice.
The resulting "parade" of complaining children was a sight to see. Kate kept announcing to the townsfolk "It's just us. Hold your ears."
Luckily, all the residents of Wyomissing, PA knew the family and loved the kids. And, even though it was a cold day and the kids had to wear jackets that didn't match the color scheme, and even though it rained during the swim time after the parade, the family had a great 4 th of July celebration. I truly admire Jon and Kate. They are living a stressful life even without the TV cameras around.
Yet, they manage to stay happy. Jon has been making noises about not doing a 5th season of the TV show, but Kate and the kids might just outvote him. Personally, I'd miss it a lot if he wins.
If you would like to contact Dr. Smith, she can be reached at her email address: jsmith798@sc.rr.com.