Fulltime Mama My name is Elizabeth, and I am the happy wife of ten years to Fabio and fulltime mama to four beautiful children: Joshua-9, Dominique 7, Israel- almost 5, Johann-3 and expecting a new baby in April 2012! We are currently living in Brazil as missionaries and life never ceases to be an adventure!!! I love motherhood with a passion and am passionate about providing a place here at MamaKnowsBest where mothers can learn, grow, and share ... pooling the wisdom of many into one big jackpot for mothers. View all articles | Contact author

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?

Dave and I have three children.  Abby is 12, Luke is 10 and Elisabeth (Ellie) is 7.

2. What is the most (mutually) enjoyable activity you regularly do with your children?

My girls love to read; so often we will snuggle and read together.  They are independent readers, but Ellie still loves it when I read out loud to her – we'll take turns reading a page.  Luke is more of a sporty guy and so will enjoy playing baseball and basketball with Dad.  Popcorn and movie nights are fun and game night can also be a fun time for everyone – our favorites right now are "Sorry", "Yahtzee" and "Scrabble".  Playing "Sorry" can also be a testing and revealing of character!

3. What do you find most challenging about motherhood, and how have you handled this challenge?

I am a task oriented person, with a bent on perfectionism!  My children are not perfect, and they are not a project that needs to be completed.  They, like me, are a work in progress and I have had to remind myself of this truth.  I think showing them much grace and patience (that has been afforded to me by my heavenly Father), and recognizing that they are learning and it is my God-given responsibility and joy to teach them.  Learning not to control them, but to guide them and allow them to learn by their mistakes has been helpful.  Also to recognize the difference between childishness and foolishness has helped me with my perfectionism.  I daily pray for wisdom and patience and God is faithful to pour out His grace. 

4. What do you do to stay strong in order to fulfill your daily tasks as a mother?

I remind myself of the high calling and privilege of motherhood.  When I fully grasp the importance of teaching my children the ways of the Lord and how that can influence and shape them, and in turn, the world we live in; I am strengthened and encouraged.  Believing in faith that the truths I sow into my children will not return void.

For me, committing each day to the Lord and spending time with Jesus, meditating on His truth, has kept me strong and has enabled me to make it through some of the more challenging days of motherhood.  There were many time restraints when my kids were younger, but those busy, challenging days were great opportunities to cry out for God's help and receive His grace and mercy in my time of need.  Don't let busyness rob you of times of refreshing with the Lord.

5. When life gets hectic, how do you maintain a feeling of connectedness with your children?

I have to be intentional to connect with them when life is busy.  Take into consideration their love language and obviously their age and find a way to connect.  Abby's love language is quality time, so making a special time for her and I to go grab some dinner or do a little school or clothes shopping is beneficial and refreshing.  Quality time with Ellie looks more like snuggling up and reading a book or coloring together.  I connect with Luke while playing a board game and steering conversation. 

Bed time for our children has also been a beautiful way to connect.  There was a time when I would have a certain day of the week that I'd lay with each child and chat – they couldn't wait for their night!  I loved it because they'd open up and share things with me that they wouldn't normally – probably because they saw it as an opportunity to stay up late!  Discern their love language and connect with them.

6. What book or resource has helped you the most as a mother?

"Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Tedd Tripp has been the most helpful to me.  The whole concept of addressing the heart as opposed to behaviorism has been insightful and life-giving.   

7. How did you come to the decision to send your children to a Christian school?

Our desire to ground our children in the Christian faith during their formative years was a big part of our motivation in sending them to a Christian elementary school.  We've been delighted in how well this has worked for our family.  Though we would never relinquish our personal responsibility to train our children in the ways of the Lord, we've had a successful partnership with the school. 

Each year we take a fresh look at our children's education.  Several years ago I felt the Lord ask me to trust Him that if He wanted us to send our kids to a Christian school then He would provide the finances; if it was His will to send them to a public school then He would provide protection and wise counsel; and if it was to home school then He would equip me and provide the patience and measure to teach.  Ultimately we are responsible for the education and training of our children – whether we delegate that to a school or not, we are still accountable before the Lord.

8. Would you mind sharing your favorite recipe for company or your favorite meal to take to a new mom?

I would usually take "Spaghetti Pie" to a new mom as it's a family friendly meal and doesn't usually cause much problem for the nursing mom!  Throw a bag of greens and a jar of apple sauce with to complete it!

8oz angel hair pasta

2 tablespoons butter

½ cup parmesan cheese

2 eggs (beaten)

1lb ground beef

½ jar spaghetti sauce

1 cup cottage cheese

1 cup mozzarella cheese

Stir butter, eggs, parmesan cheese into cooked noodles. 

Layer in 9 x 13 dish.

Spread cottage cheese over noodles.

Spread ground beef (mixed with spaghetti sauce) over cottage cheese.

Cook 350 for 20 mins (or until hot).

Add mozzarella cheese and cook for further 5 mins.

9. How do you find time for romance and building your relationship with your husband in the midst of the busyness of small children?

When our kids were younger we were intentional to incorporate a date night into our schedule.  We would try and make it bi-weekly.  For me, getting out of the house with Dave (especially when our kids were small) was the best way to build and deepen relationship.  At home I would be easily distracted by an unfinished task or project! 

We would also take opportunities to get away for a couple of nights, we didn't mind driving either as we could have uninterrupted conversation!

10. Looking back, is there anything you have learned since the time your children were small that you would pass on to younger mothers in regard to prioritizing marriage, housework, child training, etc.?

After Jesus, your marriage has to be your first priority.  In the busyness of family life, especially when your kids are young, your relationship with your husband can be hard to prioritize, but is of utmost importance.  There is a deep security for your children when they see mom and dad loving one another.    

Housework can wait!  Take whatever shortcuts you need to maintain a reasonable sense of order and cleanliness!  Your kids grow up so fast and change so quickly; housework will always be there.  There will be a time when you can have a clean house again, but don't neglect the eternal impact you have on your children and the enjoyment you experience with them, for the temporary benefits of a clean home. 

Training a child takes time and can be hard work – to discipline and follow through takes longer than a quick reproof.  Don't skimp on training your children – motherhood is a huge responsibility and a high calling.  Training your children biblically, addressing the heart and not just behavior, takes time and effort; repetition and consistency – but it's worth it!

11. There are a lot of ways to save money, such as garage saling, using cloth diapers, cutting coupons, etc.  If you could choose one way to save your family money, what would it be, and why?

This might sound silly, but one great way to save your family money would be to stay away from the mall!  You don't know what you're missing until you're inundated with marketing strategies and enticing windows encouraging you to spend.  How many unnecessary extras have you wasted money purchasing, or multiple "must-have" outfits for your children that they haven't really needed?  I've found the best way to save money is to not buy things I don't need.

Is there anything else you would like to share with other mothers?

Enjoy each season of your kid's lives.  Every season is so precious!  It's so easy to be overwhelmed by the challenges of each different season, but I would encourage you to enjoy each day with your kids. 

The Bible teaches us to be content with whatever circumstance we are in. Don't wish any season of your children's lives away. Though you may be exhausted as a young mom, enjoy the time you are in. For me, as my kids are in their middle years, life is busy in a different way - busy with school projects, room mom duties, field trips and running them to baseball practice and gymnastics meets.  I look forward in faith, not fear, to their teenage years (which I'm sure will be just as busy).  God is faithful in every season.    What a delight each season can be if you take time to enjoy!

Your children are a gift and a blessing to you – remind yourself of that truth during the challenging days. I remember older mothers telling me that time goes so quickly so enjoy each moment… now I'm the older mom encouraging you in the same way!

Thank you so much, Sam! It was so good to hear from your heart!

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN!!!

If there is a mom in your life that you think would like to share some of her life wisdom with us, please interview her and post the interview here!

Here's how:

Copy the block of questions below- however, these are only an example. You may add to them or take some out if you feel they don't apply, customizing as you see fit for each individual. We do suggest that you submit the first and last question, and also that you submit at least 14 questions to the mom you are interviewing, and allow her to choose the ten she feels most comfortable answering.

Then post the interview here! That's it!  (Oh, and a picture of the interview-ee would be great too, though not required. :-))

QUESTIONS for the INTERVIEW

1.      How many children do you have and what are their ages?

2.      What is the most (mutually) enjoyable activity you regularly do with your children? OR What are some of your fondest memories with your children?

3.      What do you find most challenging about motherhood, and how have you handled this challenge?

4.      What do you do to stay strong in order to fulfill your daily tasks as a mother?

5.      When life gets hectic, how do you maintain a feeling of connectedness with your children?

6.      What book or resource has helped you the most as a mother?

7.      How did you come to the decision to send your children to a Christian school/public school/homeschool?

8.      Would you mind sharing your favorite recipe for company or your favorite meal to take to a new mom?

9.      Have you ever done a home business or worked outside the home, and if so, how did you balance that work with your responsibilities in the home?

10.  How do you find time for romance and building your relationship with your husband in the midst of the busyness of small children?

11.  Looking back, is there anything you have learned since the time your children were small that you would pass on to younger mothers in regard to prioritizing marriage, housework, child training, etc. OR, what things have you learned that have helped make your marriage and life-stage more enjoyable??

12.  There are a lot of ways to save money, such as garage sale-ing, using cloth diapers, cutting coupons, etc.  If you could choose one way to save your family money, what would it be, and why?

13.  Do you have any creative ideas for managing to take affordable vacations for your family?

14.  What is one way that you serve your family/husband?

15.  How can you practically encourage your husband?

16.   What does submission within a marriage look like in day to day interaction?

17.   How would you encourage stay at home moms who are tempted to be discouraged that they aren't able to be as actively involved in church life as they'd like to be?

18.   What do you wish you would've done more of when your children were at home?

19.   What's your favorite book of the Bible and why? (or if you would prefer to talk about a favorite verse, that is okay too.)

20.  What are some ways you are/were able, as a mother with small children, to spend time with the Lord?

21.  Is there anything else you would like to share with other mothers?