ummi's musing

I often hear parents grumbling about having to raise 2 or 3 children. They talk about the difficulties in meeting the challenge of being parents. I normally just smile away as I myself have a share of pride, having to face the reality of being surrounded by 8 active children. Their age varies from 3 to 20, which surely shows the wide range of needs, biological changes and not to mention the ups and downs of emotional challenges. Nevertheless, I find it very exciting, albeit tiring, dealing with every single one of them. This is because I believe if you treat them well, you will get the best treatment in return.
For example, now my husband and I really savour the fruit of our so called patience, as my children are always willing to help run the house, from washing to hanging, and later folding the clothes. Then, there are the young ones who can be relied on massaging our aching body, the feet especially, extracting my grey hair, watering the plants and tidying up the bed. That covers the household chores.
When we have meals outside, my husband and I will just take our seats and the children will handle the orders. Of course, we will pay for the food but we get high class service, better than the one given by any waiters or waitresses. Eating out could be messy and troublesome for some people but for us, this is our simple idea of sharing and having fun.
Shopping in supermarkets is another relaxing chore. Armed with a trolley, they will scout the aisles and pick the goods listed by us. It is as if we are having extra hands, which makes shopping a pleasant moment. However, it also comes with extra tips when each will make their choice of the things that they need. For me, it can be entertained as long they do not go over the limit. We do state the amount of money spent by each one of them.
As for a vacation, we don’t have to worry about packing up or packing out. All these are done by them as the gestures of appreciation for taking them for a holiday which has become a regular activity for us. Well, we thought it I would be better if we spend some time with them now before they leave us later, paving their own destiny when they grow older. The experience will be a useful guideline as they mature and learn the tricks and trades of real life. Some may think this is as good as torturing but for us, this is actually a part of learning experience.
Indeed, taking care of 8 children is really a rewarding and exciting challenge even though it leaves us exhausted by the end of the day. Nevertheless, the whole day spent with them is the most rewarding and fulfilling gift of all. They could be a handful, but the hands they are reaching are most welcomed and valued.