Questions about being a mommy, I've always wanted to ask my sister

On today's post I got with my sister and asked her questions about being a Mom. With her being a Mom of six kids shes my go to person for any sort of questions I have with being a new mom. I'm sure I must bug her with all of the random question, Why is his poop that color?, If they take a nap now will the sleep tonight? But i'm so very thankful for a sister like her she's been oh so very helpful and I'm not sure what I'd do without her. 

1. Did you always know you wanted to be a Mommy?
Kelley: Yes I did. I always felt like I needed to have children. I felt like I needed to have that kind of love that I could physically see on a daily basis.

2. Are six kids easier than one? if so, how?
Kelley: Six kids are definitely a challenge. you're constantly dealing with different personalities on a daily basis and you learn to handle any situations based on what that child needs and wants. Having a lot of children is a blessing because theirs always someone there to help with the younger ones. It feels like a sense of security.

3. Who in your opinion is easier boys or girls?
Kelley: They each have different qualities that make them easier. Boys are easier to potty train. Girls like to be clean. Boys can easily be entertained, girls require structure.

4. Whats been the hardest thing about being a mom?
Kelley: Knowing that one day your children are on their own. Knowing that you can't protect them, Its a process that starts early on. When they learn to walk, they must fall. Kids in school will hurt their feelings, they will fail. You just have to remind yourself that you can only be there for them and trust that you taught them everything they need to survive without you!

5. Would you have had more children if you could of? If so, how many more?
Kelley: If you had asked me a few years ago I would have probably had two more, but now I'm really enjoying watching them grow up.

6. Whats one piece of advice you'd give your younger self?
Kelley: Embrace the chaos! enjoy the sleepless nights with a baby that just wont sleep. Enjoy the days where your baby just wont let you put them down, because one day they wont even hold your hand. Enjoy the mess because one day you'll hate having a clean home.

7. What did you love most about being pregnant?
Kelley: Feeling the baby move, best feeling in the world! Getting away with eating anything, cause its "what the baby wanted"!

8. What did you hate most about being pregnant?
Kelley: Finding out early on that things you once loved to eat, loved to do you cant do for the next nine months.

9. Whats the best thing about being a mom?
Kelley: The kisses, the hugs, the moment they finally learn a new skill they have been working on for months!

10. What do you want your kids to remember about you?
Kelley: that I loved them more than the air I breathe! that I would and still will die for them without thinking twice! that I never left them!

11. What are your thoughts on co-sleeping?
Kelley: No, I personally don't recommended it at all. They need to learn to self soothe. I know that my opinion on this can and does cause an uproar but in times where you CANT be with them, they need to be able to sleep on their own.

12. Thoughts on spanking?
Kelley: Depends on the child. One child will have their behavior corrected with a spanking, one child wont. You learn quickly what each child values, and in teaching them to behave you can learn that taking things away is a worse punishment that an actually spanking them.

13. What are your feelings on sharing your kids photos online? How do you feel when other people share pictures of your children?
Kelley: With technology the way it is honestly it scares me that anyone can have access to what your children look like. But in the same breath you just cant shield them forever.

14. Do you feel that you parent differently than how you were raised?
Kelley: I was taught that children should be seen, not heard. I don't agree with that, so yes in a lot of ways. I believe that children have a voice and need to be heard, but also be taught when to keep comments to themselves when needed.

15. Do you have any picky eaters? if so how do you deal with them?
Kelley: Yes I have several picky eaters. Over the years my biggest concern is that they are eating and because I feel this way, I feed them what they'll eat, its less of a battle.

16. Whats one of the craziest things one of your kids have done?
Kelley: I honestly cant thing of anything because each child has done little things here and there. Others may think my children all have done outlandish things but i'm too laid back to think they done something shocking.

17. How do you feel about letting your baby cry it out?
Kelley: I'm completely okay with it after I have gone through the checklist of seeing if they are okay. Have they been fed? Clean diaper? No gas? Loved on? Played with? If the answer is yes to all of those, yes they can cry themselves to sleep. Some children will get the hint after a few minutes of crying it out, others can take months to adjust but in the long run it will be the best thing for them to learn.

18. Have you ever thought gosh I cant do this? If so how did you cope?
Kelley: Every single day! The thing that keeps me going is Yes I can do this! They depend on me! I'm not a quitter! If things get really bad, walk away (into another room) breath, regroup, come back and keep going! You will make it through this! They will be fine!

19. What are your thoughts on Birth control?
Kelley: I personally couldn't handle it. Too many side affects that prevented me from taking care of my children like I needed to. I believe in the natural way of planning, following your cycle. I will say I have no problem with woman that use birth control for what ever reason. Each woman has the right to control and pan if and when they conceive.

20. Any advice for a future mom?
Kelley: Enjoy it every single day! The good, the bad, and they ugly! They will grow up quicker than you'll be able to comprehend and you don't want to miss it! The house will be messy tomorrow, enjoy the snuggles today! 
-Kelley 

Thank you so much for reading today's post! If you have any more questions I'm sure my sister would love to answer! Feel free to leave them in the comments :)