Hiking with toddlers and preschoolers is quite different from hiking with older children. Especially if you’ve been an avid hiker with only adult-sized people, you are going to have to dramatically change your expectations. Nonetheless, hiking with 3-6 year olds really *IS* possible, and you can even ENJOY your hike together. We hike often with…
Search Results for: large+family
Top 5 Practical Qs About Hiking the Wonderland Trail with Kids
When we were planning our trip on the Wonderland Trail (video here, daily blogs start here), I wanted as many details as I could get my hands on. Yes, you CAN take kids on the Wonderland Trail. Yes, you CAN take babies on the Wonderland Trail. It takes extra effort, but can be an utterly AMAZING…
January 2017 Round-Up: Posts & a Podcast Update
How We Set Family Goals for the New Year 9 Ways to Have a Rotten Sex Life Managing Postpartum with a Large Family When Mama Feels Overwhelmed How I’m Fighting 3 Fears, Right Now What I Think After Trying Amazon Prime Pantry Our Wonderland Trail Video (an hour-long video about our trip in August… I…
Our Wonderland Trail Video
In August 2016, we completed a 12-day backpacking trip around Mt. Rainier. As a family of 9. It was an adventure, and a challenge. Because of blood sugar issues and concerns about whether or not our 3 & 1/2 year old could finish, we considered quitting. I’m so glad we decided to keep going. It…
What I Think After Trying Amazon Prime Pantry
Last week, I placed my first order with Amazon Prime Pantry. As a bargain shopper (and borderline cheapskate), I’ve been skeptically keeping my distance. But after trying it, I’m pretty impressed and think I’ll try it again from time to time. Here’s what I noticed, what I didn’t like, and what I DID like….
5 Practical Postpartum Solutions (make it easier for mom!)
You’ve heard the advice. (heck, I’ve told you to do it!) “Postpartum moms, REST MORE!!” And yet, maybe you wonder… what does that practically look like? Especially when we have other children, and when they’re all/only littles, the advice can seem impractical. “HOW exactly am I supposed to do that?,” you might wonder. Well, look no…
Here’s What I Learned Watching My Friend Be “Busy At Home”
Almost 6 years ago, we decided to stay in America, after (almost) 6 years of living abroad. I flew to Istanbul, Turkey (our former home) to sort, sell, and pack our belongings there. While there, I stayed a week in our friends’ home, observing her normal household routines. Mother of four kids (then, ranging from 8 to 20…
Q&A: I’m Nervous. What If the Kids Can *Hear Us* Making Love?
Today’s Q&A is a really practical, common concern for many women: WHAT IF the kids can hear us making love? It’s something almost all couples have to work through. Here’s the question I received: Q: I just read your post about “make love – let him hear you”. In the post you reference letting your husband hear your pleasure…
Ep. 05: Embracing Life as a Mom of Littles
Life as a mom of young children can be chaotic and challenging. Let’s talk about the ideas and practices that can help us embrace this important season of motherhood. Listen as Jess talks with Emily Jensen (mom of 4 kids, ages 3 and under), about the lies we sometimes believe about being a mom of littles connecting with kids…
Wonderland Trail, Day 12: 6 Snacks+Dinner+Dessert =Tummyache
{NOTE: For those readers who don’t know our family, we’re the Connells. Doug’s my husband and I’m Jess. At the time of this trip, we had 7 kids (Ethan-14, Baxter-12, MeiMei-10, Silas-8, Moses-6, Theo-3.5, Luke-18 months), and I was 6 months pregnant with our 8th child. I’ve published journal entries, pictures, & memories from our 12-day…