Our First Blog
First I want to say thank you for taking an interest in our family. The purpose of this blog is to keep friends/family and anyone who is ineterested to keep up with the ups and downs of our life.
My name is Jackie and I have been married to my wonderful husband for a little over 8 years. We have 5 children and are expecting another next summer.
Our oldest two children are boys, ages 8 and 7. Then the three youngest are girls, 6 and 4 years, a 4 month old, and we are expecting our 6th! You heard me right!
My husband is the main bread winner. He is in the United States Navy. Then I earn extra income doing childcare from home.
We send our children to public schools, we feel like learning to socialize and knowing what goes on in the real world is important. We do not see any point in sheltering our children from outside influences because one day they are going to have to be exposed to the world around them.
Our girls particpate in recreational-non competitive Gymnastics and Cheerleading, and the boys play recreational Basketball, Football, and Soccer, as they choose. We do not force these activities upon our children. it is simply their choice to participate or not. However we constantly encourage the children to be active! The children also participate in Scouts and other acitvities throughout the year.
We have values and beliefs, although not neccesarily religion based. We feel our children should be brought up a certain way, a marriage should function a certain way, a family should all work together a certain way. If that makes any sense.
The oldest 3 children have assigned chores. They assist with kitchen meal prep and cleanup, they vaccume and sweep, they assist with laundry, they clean bathrooms, they sweep the porches, feed the dog, and of course they must clean their rooms daily and oganize toys every few weeks. Chores come with rewards, $1/day/child when chores are completed in a timely manner.
Telivision is limited in the house, each child has a computer with internet access, the boys have tvs(with no cable)in their rooms, as well as a game system each, and the two boys have cellular phones(they are the oldest) for keeping in contact with mom and dad when away from home.
I let my kids listen to pretty much anything, as long as its not totally obscene. They are sheltered and can only watch childrens shows unless we approve pg or adult rated movies, of course they may watch documentaries, educational shows, and the news/weather if they choose.
Our form of punishment usually comes with timeouts, as well as writing sentences and taking privlages away. Most of the time either of these three methods is pretty effective.
Every weekend we take the children out for a family activity. We visit local museums, zoos, aquariums, parks, exhibits, concerts, movies, public performances and what have you.
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