Family & Relationships
Jocelyn Jansen
Some would say eight is enough, but for mom Jocelyn it is the perfect the number. With eight kids ranging from ages 13 to 1 years old, Jocelyn runs her home like a well-oiled machine. In between homeschooling their children, she and her husband of fourteen years, John, even find time to catch a date night. She encourages her kids to discover their talents through exploration while teaching them good manners and virtues. She is also teaching her children how to give back. Jocelyn and her family volunteer for Riverside Center for Education, a new non-profit organization whose mission is to have children enter the world of imagination and share it. I Admire U Jocelyn for teaching us that every child has the potential to be great. You and your family inspire us to love our families, give back to the community, and to never forget the value of an individual.
Celebrated by: JoEllen Depakakibo
Celebrated by: JoEllen Depakakibo
Jocelyn in her own words...
1. Some people say it gets easier with more kids, because the older kids help raise the younger kids. What are your thoughts on this? Would you agree?
Yes, yes, and yes! The older children started being helpful at 3 years old. They could grab a diaper for me, help me tidy up toys, and keep the baby entertained while I grabbed that necessary shower I hadn't taken for days. Now that they are even older, they naturally love and care for their younger siblings. I often catch them singing songs, playing dress-up, and playing tag all around the house. I am careful to not take advantage of the older children, now that they are entering those wonderful teen years. This is a time they need more freedom and special attention too. It's all very new and I often pray for wisdom, direction, and joy for them and for us!
2. You have been homeschooling your family ever since your fourth child, for seven years now. Why did you choose to homeschool your family? How long do you think you will continue to do so?
Both my husband and I have degrees in education. He had taught high school and I had taught both elementary and junior high students. We saw a lot in the classroom, both in private and public schools, and I think that's what strongly influenced us to homeschool. There is a great busyness in schools and a great deal of social pressure to fit in. We feel that through homeschooling, our children have more freedom and time to nurture their imagination, read great literature, create beautiful art, and still have time outdoors. We definitely plan on schooling them through junior high, but we will have to see what needs our children will have when they hit high school.
Yes, yes, and yes! The older children started being helpful at 3 years old. They could grab a diaper for me, help me tidy up toys, and keep the baby entertained while I grabbed that necessary shower I hadn't taken for days. Now that they are even older, they naturally love and care for their younger siblings. I often catch them singing songs, playing dress-up, and playing tag all around the house. I am careful to not take advantage of the older children, now that they are entering those wonderful teen years. This is a time they need more freedom and special attention too. It's all very new and I often pray for wisdom, direction, and joy for them and for us!
2. You have been homeschooling your family ever since your fourth child, for seven years now. Why did you choose to homeschool your family? How long do you think you will continue to do so?
Both my husband and I have degrees in education. He had taught high school and I had taught both elementary and junior high students. We saw a lot in the classroom, both in private and public schools, and I think that's what strongly influenced us to homeschool. There is a great busyness in schools and a great deal of social pressure to fit in. We feel that through homeschooling, our children have more freedom and time to nurture their imagination, read great literature, create beautiful art, and still have time outdoors. We definitely plan on schooling them through junior high, but we will have to see what needs our children will have when they hit high school.
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3. What does a day in the life of a mom of eight look like? How in the world do you stay organized?
The one word that comes to mind is Simplify! It seemed that whenever we packed for a vacation our luggage decreased with each child! I realized I couldn't pack eight outfits for each child or myself. In order to run the house like a well-oiled machine, we have had to organize chores, clothes, and even colored cups to keep things manageable. Each child has daily duties and is assigned a room to deep clean each week. When we remain consistent it becomes a habit. We hold periodic family meetings so everyone is on the same page and we make it fun by having tasty drinks and snacks.
4. Your kids are incredibly talented. Your kids sing and play guitar, ukulele, mandolin, piano, and the tin whistle. They knit, win art contests, and volunteer. How did you decide what activity to introduce to each kid?
My husband and I make it a point to expose our children to the arts. I personally am interested in crafting and music and often take the time to enjoy these interests with and around our children. We always have had paper and crayons around and often spend evenings singing songs and playing music. When they were young we were careful about overscheduling them in activities. It's easier to discover their talents when they are given the freedom and time to explore. When we shuffle them to one activity to the next, it's hard for them to explore and find the time to do what they really love.
When we see a special talent, we try to encourage it, and as they've gotten older, we've invested in programs that nurture these talents.
"We feel that through homeschooling, our children have more freedom and time to nurture their imagination, read great literature, create beautiful art, and still have time outdoors."
5. Raising a large family must be challenging on the pocket book. For all the families out there looking for ways to cut costs, what is your secret to stretching a dollar?
My husband and I have very different spending habits. He is a mastermind in saving and I am a master at spending! We strike a great balance and he has definitely tempered my Shop til you Drop mentality!
When it comes to clothing and food, we seldom pay full price. We shop the ads and our meals are determined by what's on sale. Our children rarely get anything outside of their birthdays and Christmas. We never have the latest anything, and I think we've been okay so far. In the end, we really trust that God will provide.
6. Every day must be an adventure. What has raising eight kids and being married taught you? What do you hope they take away from their childhood?
Being a mom of this many children has allowed me to realize how patient I really wasn't! It transformed me to grow in greater virtue and also to pursue the things that bring me great joy! Being a mother of 8 has had its challenges and I have found that I couldn't do it without my faith. I realize, also, through all my struggles, I have grown stronger and more in tune to my children's individual needs. I have let go of a lot of control and try to provide a lot of freedom while balancing it with good manners and virtues. Of course these things are better caught than taught! I find falling flat on my face while parenting has really sharpened my parenting skills. In order to climb high, we have to start at the bottom and work our way up!
My husband and I have very different spending habits. He is a mastermind in saving and I am a master at spending! We strike a great balance and he has definitely tempered my Shop til you Drop mentality!
When it comes to clothing and food, we seldom pay full price. We shop the ads and our meals are determined by what's on sale. Our children rarely get anything outside of their birthdays and Christmas. We never have the latest anything, and I think we've been okay so far. In the end, we really trust that God will provide.
6. Every day must be an adventure. What has raising eight kids and being married taught you? What do you hope they take away from their childhood?
Being a mom of this many children has allowed me to realize how patient I really wasn't! It transformed me to grow in greater virtue and also to pursue the things that bring me great joy! Being a mother of 8 has had its challenges and I have found that I couldn't do it without my faith. I realize, also, through all my struggles, I have grown stronger and more in tune to my children's individual needs. I have let go of a lot of control and try to provide a lot of freedom while balancing it with good manners and virtues. Of course these things are better caught than taught! I find falling flat on my face while parenting has really sharpened my parenting skills. In order to climb high, we have to start at the bottom and work our way up!
7. You shared, “I want to inspire women to look inward instead of outward.” What nugget of wisdom would you would share with a mom who feels like she’s a “bad mom” or “failing”?
I find that moms are constantly measuring themselves up to that other "perfect" mom who seems to have everything together! This does great harm on so many levels. Everything isn't always as it seems and every person has the potential to be great with their own unique gifts and talents. I wish people could see that more. I constantly remind our children not only how much I love them, but also how blessed they are to have so many talents. Of course, we need to balance this with a great deal of humility too! That comes so easily with parenting...ha!
8. With eight kids ranging in age from one to thirteen, how do you and your husband manage time for yourselves? Time for your marriage?
Lately, my husband has been diligent in making sure we find time to go on dates together. It's really sweet and I often tell him our schedules are too busy. However, I have appreciated the time we can have together, because it is so limited. If we're not able to go out but need to talk, we will often meet over tortilla chips and drinks (he has wine, I have orange juice) after the children go to bed. It's a nice time to catch up.
I find that moms are constantly measuring themselves up to that other "perfect" mom who seems to have everything together! This does great harm on so many levels. Everything isn't always as it seems and every person has the potential to be great with their own unique gifts and talents. I wish people could see that more. I constantly remind our children not only how much I love them, but also how blessed they are to have so many talents. Of course, we need to balance this with a great deal of humility too! That comes so easily with parenting...ha!
8. With eight kids ranging in age from one to thirteen, how do you and your husband manage time for yourselves? Time for your marriage?
Lately, my husband has been diligent in making sure we find time to go on dates together. It's really sweet and I often tell him our schedules are too busy. However, I have appreciated the time we can have together, because it is so limited. If we're not able to go out but need to talk, we will often meet over tortilla chips and drinks (he has wine, I have orange juice) after the children go to bed. It's a nice time to catch up.
"I find falling flat on my face while parenting has really sharpened my parenting skills. In order to climb high, we have to start at the bottom and work our way up!"
9. You guys put the fun in fundraising! Your entire family is involved in a special fundraiser for the Riverside Center for Education. Tell us about it, and how can someone support your campaign?
My husband and I got to know each other volunteering at a soup kitchen. We are both passionate about serving the community and about our children doing the same. Riverside Center for Education is a new non-profit organization whose mission is to have children enter the world of imagination and share it with the world. We've bonded trying to think of creative ways to raise money! We are currently competing with other families to raise the most money for Riverside. Our whole family will be taking part in a 5K run or a 2 mile walk. People can support us here: https://runsignup.com/runjansensrun
10. Outside of your exciting new fundraiser, what’s next for you and your family of ten?
Our next wild adventure will be taking part in a musical put on by the Riverside Center for Education. Our older children will be singing, acting, and dancing while I help out with costumes. Our girls were also able to sing for a professional recording of the songs from last year's musical. That album will be released on April 1st.
We also will start planning the garden and preparing it for Spring! Digging in dirt is what these Jansens do best!
11. I Admire U Jocelyn, who do you admire?
One person I admire is a good friend I have gotten to know really well these past few years. She and her husband have a daughter with special needs and every time I see her, she not only is caring for her daughter, but also is taking the time to serve others in the community in extraordinary ways. I find her generosity, humility, and joyful heart to be very inspiring. Her love for others has been passed down to her other children, who are constantly helping others as well. She is a woman of great virtue and asks absolutely nothing in return.
My husband and I got to know each other volunteering at a soup kitchen. We are both passionate about serving the community and about our children doing the same. Riverside Center for Education is a new non-profit organization whose mission is to have children enter the world of imagination and share it with the world. We've bonded trying to think of creative ways to raise money! We are currently competing with other families to raise the most money for Riverside. Our whole family will be taking part in a 5K run or a 2 mile walk. People can support us here: https://runsignup.com/runjansensrun
10. Outside of your exciting new fundraiser, what’s next for you and your family of ten?
Our next wild adventure will be taking part in a musical put on by the Riverside Center for Education. Our older children will be singing, acting, and dancing while I help out with costumes. Our girls were also able to sing for a professional recording of the songs from last year's musical. That album will be released on April 1st.
We also will start planning the garden and preparing it for Spring! Digging in dirt is what these Jansens do best!
11. I Admire U Jocelyn, who do you admire?
One person I admire is a good friend I have gotten to know really well these past few years. She and her husband have a daughter with special needs and every time I see her, she not only is caring for her daughter, but also is taking the time to serve others in the community in extraordinary ways. I find her generosity, humility, and joyful heart to be very inspiring. Her love for others has been passed down to her other children, who are constantly helping others as well. She is a woman of great virtue and asks absolutely nothing in return.
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