Page 64 - Winter2008

Growing Wise Kids

THE JOYS OF EXPANDING YOUR FAMILY AND STAYING SANE IN THE PROCESS
By Jen Allbritton, CN

Being a parent is the most fulfilling, re- in the world am I going to have time for another
warding and sometimes frustrating job on the baby? One takes up so much energy already!”
planet. While the smiles, giggles, cuddles and My friend Donna, mother of six and a follower of
outrageous quips can far outweigh the more Weston A. Price principles, said something that
challenging moments of child rearing, adding made all my questions fade away. She said, “The
on daily traditional food more children you have
prep can be downright the more you grow!” She
mind blowing! reminded me that hav-
The decision to ex- ing more children chips
pand your family is a away at our selfish ten-
daunting one, but what dencies and everything
I can tell you is that for just all falls into place.
my family, it has been So in January of 2008,
our best decision. Many we welcomed home our
of you with busy families second son, Chase, the
may be asking, what are cutest doll-face we ever
some ways to stream- laid eyes on. Now look-
line? Is there any advice ing back, I think, “What
for those considering in the world was I wor-
a larger family? Can I ried about?” These two
maintain my high food beautiful treasures bless
Children standards with more myself and my husband
daily. Now I can see that
children? What follows
teach us to are some lessons that I having children is a sure-
loosen up, have learned from my fire way to help us as
parents become our best
view the short journey. Happy growing family: Jen, Tyler, Tate possible selves. Children
and Chase Allbritton.
world with THE TR ANSITION teach us to loosen up,
awe, give of FROM ONE TO TWO view the world with awe,
My husband, son Tate, and I were a happy give of ourselves in ways we never thought pos-
ourselves in family of three, going with the flow in our daily sible and to practice patience. . . over and over
ways we routine of enjoying whole food meals, outdoor and over again.
never adventures and being with each other. While my As did our first son, Chase is also growing

thought husband and I always knew we wanted a family, healthy and strong on the milk-based formula
we never defined the exact size, and since we are detailed in Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fal-
possible, blessed by growing our family through adoption, lon. The preparation and additions I made to the
and to a little more thought goes into the “growing” pro- formula changed a smidge since my description
practice cess. But the time had come to take the plunge. found in the FAQs on Homemade Baby Formula
The first thing I did was to seek counsel from article (westonaprice.org/children/formula-faqs.

patience. friends with multiple children. I asked, “How html) published close to four years ago. See my
64 Wise Traditions WINTER 2008