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5 Minutes for Books:
A Sane Woman’s Guide to Raising a Large Family

April 27, 2009 by Jennifer Donovan

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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It’s not too late to enter the 5 Minutes for Books Mother’s Day giveaways. You have until April 30.

Should I start this review out with the disclaimer that I have two lovely children — the “perfect family” one boy and one girl, and I plan on keeping it that way. I reviewed this book because I know a lot of you out there either have large families or are exploring the idea of having a large family (I wrote a bit more on my blog Snapshot about my love for large families, and why I only have two children. Check it out and let me know your thoughts about family size). I also know Mary Ostyn** personally, and wanted to help her get the word out.

Because I know Mary, when she told me the title A Sane Women’s Guide to Raising a Large Family, I thought it was absolutely perfect, because she IS perfectly sane. She seems “normal” — not like someone who would choose to raise ten children! Okay, now that I’ve perhaps alienated all of you with a large family, and maybe piqued the interest of those of you who do not have or want a large family, can I move on to the official review?

I found this book completely delightful. Mary’s sense of humor and love for children came through loud and clear. If you are familiar with her blog Owlhaven, you probably would have expected this.

For those of you who don’t “know” Mary, or who don’t think that a book about raising a large family would have anything to offer you, let me give just list a few of the bits of information that were helpful or encouraging to me:

  • What do you do if you and your spouse don’t agree on family size?
  • “Frugality is not deprivation. Frugality is freedom. Frugality gives options” (page 23)
  • How to handle children’s activities
  • Children’s Chores
  • Encouraging Sibling Friendships

The reason that this book is so readable and so helpful is that Mary manages to write about the way she does things — what works for her — without alienating those of us who make other choices. She’s a co-sleeping, homeschooling mom of many. I’m a “babies-in-their-cribs,” public-schooling, happy mother of two. We disagree on many parenting philosophies, but I know that her choices are right for her, and she doesn’t presume that her choices are right for everyone.

Enter to win your own copy of A Sane Women’s Guide to Raising a Large Family by leaving a comment here. We’ll announce the winner in next week’s column.

Read Mary’s tips about How to Raise a Reader in our On Reading column at 5 Minutes for Books.

**Mary was my roommate in the Dominican Republic when I went last November with the Compassion Bloggers. A new group just arrived in India today. Please follow their journey. Pray for them. Learn more about the country and the children in need over there.

The grand prize winner of the Welcome, Little One $149 is #79 Marlena U.

The winners of the Welcome, Little One book are #51 Karen, #111 Krystal, #104 Kathy D., #86 Adrienne Gordon.

The winners of Things I Want My Daughters to Know are #30 Deborah Wellenstein, #33 Mozi Esmes Mommy, #51 Barb.

If you didn’t win, you can still enter to win this novel and a bunch of other books over at the 5 Minutes for Books Mother’s Day Giveaway (open for entries through April 30).

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About Jennifer Donovan

Jennifer Donovan has been a part of the 5 Minutes for Mom team since 2007. She writes product reviews, covers events, and manages the 5 Minutes for Books weekly column and website. She lives in Houston and blogs at Snapshot about life with her family.

Reader Interactions


108 Comments

  1. Genevieve Larson says

    May 3, 2009 at 12:11 pm

    just had my 4th baby and I have been contemplating a 5th. I so need to read this book.

  2. Gianna says

    May 3, 2009 at 11:56 am

    I’ve got 5 and counting.. Please enter me 🙂

  3. Melanie D says

    May 3, 2009 at 11:02 am

    I would love to read this!

  4. Barbara Rawe says

    May 3, 2009 at 9:53 am

    Raising children is no easy task! Might as well laugh yourself through it! Happier healthier kids….saner parents

  5. Barbara Rawe says

    May 3, 2009 at 9:53 am

    Raising children is no easy task! Might as well laugh yourself through it! Happier healthier kids….saner parents

  6. Jessica says

    May 3, 2009 at 1:51 am

    This sounds like an excellent book for me to read and pass along to my mother.

  7. Heather Goldsmith says

    May 2, 2009 at 11:19 pm

    I come from a large family. We could all use this

  8. Amber S. says

    May 2, 2009 at 10:31 pm

    Sounds like a good book – thanks for the chance to win a copy!

  9. Susan Smith says

    May 2, 2009 at 9:47 pm

    Sounds like a good book

  10. Cynthia Mercado says

    May 2, 2009 at 9:08 pm

    Would love to read this book! I have 7 children from 28 years to 5 years.

    mercsmercado at yahoo dot com

  11. shawna f says

    May 2, 2009 at 6:36 pm

    Would love to read this.

  12. Heather says

    May 2, 2009 at 5:59 pm

    I would love to read this book. We are a family of six hoping for more.

  13. Molly Capel says

    May 2, 2009 at 12:33 pm

    As a mom of a kind of big family (5 boys), I would love the chance to read this book.

  14. Erma says

    May 2, 2009 at 7:41 am

    I would love the chance to win,thanks.

  15. Kelly F says

    May 2, 2009 at 5:36 am

    This is looks like an excellent book! Great giveaway 🙂

  16. Christina says

    May 1, 2009 at 11:56 pm

    I agree with the quote from the book that Frugality gives freedom! The more money you save, the more you’ll have to spend! This is a wonderful giveaway book, and thanks for the chance to win!

  17. corrie clemens says

    May 1, 2009 at 10:50 pm

    i love to read and want to win this.

  18. Jennifer Hedden says

    May 1, 2009 at 9:57 pm

    enter me

  19. Gabriel J. says

    April 30, 2009 at 11:34 pm

    Great read, make me a winner!

  20. israel y says

    April 30, 2009 at 9:57 pm

    We are working on kid #1, expected to arrive this summer and I would love to read this book!

  21. Erin says

    April 30, 2009 at 4:39 pm

    I’d love to win this! We have 3 so far, and we’re hoping to add several more in the next couple of years.

  22. Rebecca says

    April 30, 2009 at 3:44 pm

    I would love to win this book!

  23. Tawnda says

    April 30, 2009 at 11:53 am

    I would love to have this book… I am one of 10 that my birth mother had… I can’t even begin to imagine it… lol

  24. mindy says

    April 30, 2009 at 9:27 am

    sounds great thanks for the giveaway

  25. Karen (from Our Deer Baby) says

    April 29, 2009 at 10:54 pm

    I would love to win a copy!
    I have seven kids, so not super large, but it is not small either ^^

    Karen

  26. Stephanie says

    April 29, 2009 at 9:49 pm

    I would LOVE to win this book!! I don’t think I have a large family (only 4 kids) but from the reactions I get in public most people think I do. Maybe it’s because they are all under 6 that people feel overwhelmed by them. 🙂

  27. Renee G says

    April 29, 2009 at 9:40 pm

    I would love to read this. I’ve always wanted a larger family.

    [email protected]

  28. Betsy says

    April 29, 2009 at 5:31 pm

    Just had my 4th son and I’d love to read this!

  29. Linda Chaput says

    April 29, 2009 at 4:47 pm

    Looks like an interesting book.It could change our minds on large or small family.

  30. LaVonne says

    April 29, 2009 at 4:00 pm

    I’d love to win this book! I need some sanity. 🙂

  31. Angela J says

    April 29, 2009 at 1:51 pm

    I raised six children, this would be interesting to see her take on a big family.

  32. beth shepherd says

    April 29, 2009 at 11:47 am

    Thank you for a great giveaway! I would love to win. Thank you
    [email protected]

  33. Leah says

    April 29, 2009 at 10:40 am

    I’ve been following Mary for a while and would love to read her book.

  34. Stefanie Hartman says

    April 29, 2009 at 10:34 am

    I definately need to read this book right away. We have an extra large family and will be adding more soon. Blessings to all mothers and grandmothers for their Mother’s Day!!!!

  35. shannon prophitt says

    April 29, 2009 at 9:39 am

    Looks like a good book!

  36. Miranda says

    April 29, 2009 at 9:17 am

    I could really use this book and would read it!!

  37. Sweetpeas says

    April 29, 2009 at 9:08 am

    I’d love to win this. I have 3 kids now, and have been feeling very convicted to let God decide our family size, but my husband doesn’t feel the same, so I’m leaving it in God’s hands to work on my husband’s heart if it’s His will.

  38. warillever says

    April 29, 2009 at 7:54 am

    I would *love* a copy of this book

  39. Serena says

    April 29, 2009 at 12:48 am

    Oh, I so want to win this! I’ve been trying to get my hands on a copy for the past few weeks!

  40. renee says

    April 28, 2009 at 11:18 pm

    i subscribe

  41. renee says

    April 28, 2009 at 11:17 pm

    please enter me in the drawing for this book.

  42. Emily C says

    April 28, 2009 at 9:55 pm

    I would LOVE to win this book.

  43. Andria says

    April 28, 2009 at 8:58 pm

    I would love a chance to win. Thank you.

  44. Rebecca says

    April 28, 2009 at 8:44 pm

    We are adding #6 to our family. We have two birth children, a daughter from China, two boys from Ethiopia, and a daughter waiting in Ethiopia. Most of the time I am pretty sure I am not sane but that’s OK because I love my life.

  45. sherry nickerson says

    April 28, 2009 at 8:14 pm

    Thanks:)

  46. Heather Diotte says

    April 28, 2009 at 8:13 pm

    Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!! 🙂

    Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Fun:
    CoolCanucks.ca

  47. MRS.MOMMYY says

    April 28, 2009 at 7:53 pm

    newsletter

  48. MRS.MOMMYY says

    April 28, 2009 at 7:52 pm

    subscriber

  49. MRS.MOMMYY says

    April 28, 2009 at 7:52 pm

    would love to read

  50. Erin says

    April 28, 2009 at 7:34 pm

    I just had my fifth boy, and the #1 question I get is “Oh… were you trying for a girl?” because everyone assumes that’s the only reason someone would dare to have 5 kids 😉 I’d love to win this book!

  51. kygirl says

    April 28, 2009 at 6:57 pm

    Sounds like a book I need to read.

  52. susan varney says

    April 28, 2009 at 5:12 pm

    love to have this one [email protected]

  53. Shelly Nissley says

    April 28, 2009 at 4:58 pm

    I love to read and this book sounds great!

  54. shannon Baas says

    April 28, 2009 at 4:34 pm

    Looks like a good book.

  55. christopher h says

    April 28, 2009 at 4:11 pm

    this sounds like a good read

  56. Shirley says

    April 28, 2009 at 2:34 pm

    This book looks interesting and I will have to read it. I think being that I am only a mother of 4 who is homeschooling, I don’t think I qualify as much as many of the other moms. It can be challenging being a mother, but for me it’s been hardest being alone the last 14 months with two special needs children. My husband comes home next week and I cannot wait! I think I will be much more SANE when he gets here. Good luck to all of you hoping to win! Thanks for sharing the book. 🙂

  57. Michael Capp says

    April 28, 2009 at 12:09 pm

    I’d love to win!

  58. brandlyn says

    April 28, 2009 at 11:01 am

    I dont have that big of a family but this book would certainly be interesting with the kids I do have.

  59. Katrina says

    April 28, 2009 at 10:23 am

    great giveaway

  60. Susan Heim says

    April 28, 2009 at 10:00 am

    I *only* have four sons, so I’m not sure if that’s considered a “large” family, but I could definitely use some sanity-saving tips! I’m sure this book would be very helpful.

  61. Maureen says

    April 28, 2009 at 9:47 am

    I grew up the oldest of seven siblings. We are all pretty close in age (10 1/2 yrs is the age spread).
    My mother was also one of 8 siblings.

  62. Darcey says

    April 28, 2009 at 9:35 am

    I am also a subscriber. Love your Blog!!

  63. Darcey says

    April 28, 2009 at 9:34 am

    I would love this book. Though my family isn’t that big, 3 kids, I consider it big since we also have 2 kittens and a dog. (Do I get to include my husband?) I also love to read about how big families deal with everything.

  64. Denise says

    April 28, 2009 at 9:06 am

    With five kids I could use this!

  65. Krista says

    April 27, 2009 at 11:14 pm

    I am a subscriber!

  66. Krista says

    April 27, 2009 at 11:14 pm

    I know someone I would love to give this to!

  67. Faerylandmom says

    April 27, 2009 at 10:45 pm

    I would love a copy of this. As a mom with four children, I have recently found out that I have a “large” family. 🙂

  68. Eve says

    April 27, 2009 at 9:43 pm

    I would love to read this book. I have seven children between the ages of seven months to nine years old. A large family is an amazing blessing, but sanity can seem to be a hard thing to find on some days.

  69. MaryBeth says

    April 27, 2009 at 8:41 pm

    I get the newsletter.

  70. MaryBeth says

    April 27, 2009 at 8:41 pm

    I’m a subscriber.

  71. MaryBeth says

    April 27, 2009 at 8:41 pm

    Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.

  72. Kim says

    April 27, 2009 at 7:12 pm

    I subscribe too

  73. Kim says

    April 27, 2009 at 7:12 pm

    I’d love this book!

  74. Victoria says

    April 27, 2009 at 6:11 pm

    I have your button!

  75. Victoria says

    April 27, 2009 at 6:10 pm

    I get the newsletter!

  76. Victoria says

    April 27, 2009 at 6:09 pm

    I subscribe!

  77. Victoria says

    April 27, 2009 at 6:09 pm

    Would love to win!

  78. Marla T says

    April 27, 2009 at 6:01 pm

    I also subscribe to the 5M4M newsletter. Thanks again!

    [email protected]

  79. Marla T says

    April 27, 2009 at 6:00 pm

    I subscribe to your feed. Thanks!

    [email protected]

  80. Marla T says

    April 27, 2009 at 6:00 pm

    Sounds like a book I could use. Thank you for the entry.

    [email protected]

  81. 1stopmom says

    April 27, 2009 at 5:11 pm

    I would love to check this book out. It really sounds interesting.

  82. Charlsie Swadley says

    April 27, 2009 at 4:41 pm

    i would love this book!!!

  83. Jody says

    April 27, 2009 at 4:27 pm

    My 4 kids definitely keep me busy and I can always use advice for those who have “been there.”

  84. Shelley says

    April 27, 2009 at 3:44 pm

    I’ve only got four, but I’m sure I could find some useful information. Thanks for the chance to win!

    saz AT chainreader DOT com

  85. Michelle says

    April 27, 2009 at 2:34 pm

    This book sounds delightful. I’m worried about how I will handle things as my family grows, so I could use some advice. 🙂

  86. Christin says

    April 27, 2009 at 2:15 pm

    Ok I really need this book, LOL!!! Might as well take a shot at it!

  87. Michelle says

    April 27, 2009 at 2:08 pm

    I love her blog and would love to win this book! 🙂

  88. LisaMarie says

    April 27, 2009 at 1:52 pm

    We are expecting our 6th child this June. Never did we think we would have a large family. LOL This book would be great!

  89. Jessica says

    April 27, 2009 at 1:27 pm

    This book looks ah-ma-zing! I’ve always wanted a big family… It’s tough to help people understand why!

  90. Tamara (AK) says

    April 27, 2009 at 1:22 pm

    Sounds like a wonderful read! Tossing my name in the hat…

  91. Tiffany M says

    April 27, 2009 at 1:01 pm

    I would love to win this book. I am currently pregnant with my 5th child. I am the oldest of 12.

  92. I'm The Mom says

    April 27, 2009 at 12:03 pm

    Love to win this!! As a mom of 6 ranging in age to almost 19 to almost 4 months I sure could use a dose of sanity!

  93. The Gang's Momma says

    April 27, 2009 at 11:41 am

    I could use a dose of sanity around here. Especially since I’d love to explore the idea of another adoption.

  94. Bev says

    April 27, 2009 at 11:40 am

    As a mom of 6, i’d love some ideas on how to make this easier.

  95. Jennifer3 says

    April 27, 2009 at 11:26 am

    This looks very interesting. I would like to read it!

  96. Jen says

    April 27, 2009 at 11:19 am

    and the newsletter…

  97. Jen says

    April 27, 2009 at 11:17 am

    and I subscribe to the feed.

  98. Jen says

    April 27, 2009 at 11:16 am

    I would love a copy of this. Thanks!

  99. Jessica says

    April 27, 2009 at 11:04 am

    I’m definitely interested in this book. My husband and I want to have a large family, at least six children. And my husband says he can see himself actively fathering into his 60’s!

  100. Maddy says

    April 27, 2009 at 10:40 am

    Very tempting…..I wonder if she’ll bring out a sequel on how to manage when you elderly relatives move back in with you as well as adult children returning with their spouses…….now that would be my kind of a book.
    Cheers

  101. Lee says

    April 27, 2009 at 10:35 am

    I’ve had this book on my reading list for awhile. I’d love to win.

  102. Charlene says

    April 27, 2009 at 10:01 am

    Thanks for a great review. You have me interested. We have seven but it does not feel “large” yet.

  103. raych says

    April 27, 2009 at 9:38 am

    I plan on having many bebes, whether I have to birth them or adopt them. This might give me a look at what I’m up against.

  104. Lori Pierce says

    April 27, 2009 at 9:19 am

    We all need a little more sanity in our parenting. I would love to read about Mary’s philosophy.

  105. Cindy says

    April 27, 2009 at 9:11 am

    I would love to have a coy of this book. I have heard there is some great information in it!

  106. Melissa says

    April 27, 2009 at 9:04 am

    I have seven children ages 13 to 8 months and would love to win this book–even though I think I’m still pretty sane…

  107. Stephanie says

    April 27, 2009 at 6:25 am

    Ooh I have been eyeing this book for quite some time! I would LOVE to win it!

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