Parenting Nine Children: A Journey of Love, Challenges, and Faith
Parenting is a journey filled with joys, struggles, and unexpected turns. Raising even one child is a monumental task, but imagine the challenges and rewards of parenting nine! For Rachel Campos-Duffy and her husband, Sean, what started as a simple family dream evolved into a large and loving household, filled with lessons in patience, sacrifice, and unwavering faith.
The Unexpected Path to a Large Family
When Rachel and Sean first got married, they never anticipated having such a big family. Sean had just finished law school and embarked on a career that led him to serve as a district attorney before making his way into Congress, where he spent over nine years. Their journey as parents began modestly, but with each new addition, their family grew in love and responsibility.
In September of last year, the Duffy family welcomed their ninth child, Valentina Stella Mars. Unlike their previous experiences, this pregnancy came with unique challenges. An ultrasound revealed that Valentina had Down syndrome and a serious heart condition, including two holes in her heart and malfunctioning valves. The family braced themselves for a difficult road ahead, knowing she would need surgery early in life.
Prioritizing Family Over Politics
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Family has always been the first priority for Rachel and Sean. With a political career demanding time and energy, they made a life-changing decision to step back when Valentina was born. Sean personally called the president and chose to resign from Congress to focus on their family. It was a sacrifice, but one they felt was necessary.
Valentina spent her first seven weeks in the NICU due to difficulties with feeding caused by her condition. The family knew that as soon as she was big enough, she would require open-heart surgery. At just six months old, she underwent the procedure. Handing a tiny baby over to doctors for a major operation was one of the hardest moments Rachel experienced, but Valentina pulled through. After just five days in the hospital post-surgery, she was able to return home, where she has since thrived.
A Home Built on Love, Faith, and Purpose
Raising nine children requires a well-structured home, and the Duffys rely on strong values to guide their parenting. One of their key practices is having a family mission statement prominently displayed in their kitchen. This mission reinforces their belief that each family member is a chosen and cherished gift from God.
Rachel also holds a personal parenting motto: “My job isn’t to get you into Harvard; my job is to get you into heaven.” This perspective shapes how she approaches parenting, focusing on instilling values, love, and faith rather than just academic success.
Lessons from Valentina’s Journey
Valentina’s battle with a heart condition during a pandemic highlighted the resilience of both the family and the medical community. Rachel expressed immense gratitude for the advanced healthcare system in the U.S. and the skilled doctors who performed life-saving surgery on her baby girl. The experience reinforced her belief that healthcare workers are heroes, just like those in the military.
The Joys and Challenges of Parenting Nine
Despite the chaos of a big family, the Duffys embrace their journey with open hearts. While disagreements may arise among the siblings, one thing remains constant—everyone adores Valentina. She has become the family’s unifying force, a reminder of unconditional love and the strength of faith.
Parenting nine children is far from easy, but for Rachel and Sean, it has been the most rewarding experience of their lives. Their story is a testament to the power of love, sacrifice, and the belief that every child is a blessing, no matter the challenges that come with them.
Rachel Campos-Duffy’s tips for keeping kids busy at home during the coronavirus crisis
Rachel Campos-Duffy, host of ‘Moms’ on Fox Nation, gives tips on what to do with your kids at home during the COVID-19 pandemic
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There are several important things you can do to help your children get through coronavirus isolation, the host of “Moms” on Fox Nation said Saturday.
Rachel Campos-Duffy, appearing on “Fox & Friends Weekend,” said parents should start by letting kids know they are staying home to protect more vulnerable people.
“The teens are harder than the little ones to convince that you’ve got to stay home, because they see no school and, to them, that means ‘I want to go out and hang out with my friends.'” she said. “So, we’ve had to keep them home, and we’ve had to tell them that this is a patriotic mission, really.”
Campos-Duffy’s second piece of advice is to try to have fun.
“Soak in the family time,” she advised. “We’re always complaining that we don’t have enough time with our family and now we do.”
She said her family has been watching movies, playing games and cooking to pass the time.
It’s also important to set aside time for school lessons and homework.
“We set a rough schedule to let’s try and get everything from school done by noon. And then we have the rest of the day,” she said.
Another top priority is to take care of yourself physically.
“It’s not easy, but guess what? You have no excuse to not work out now,” Campos-Duffy said. “I’ve had a few days that I did work out and some that I didn’t, and I can honestly say I’m a better mama on the days that I worked out. So, if you can, if you have home equipment or you go on the Internet and find those home workouts, that’s the way to do it.”
The Fox News contributor said the power of prayer also can’t be ignored during the crisis.
“I think everybody feels better when they’re doing that and thinking about all of the other people,” she said. “Praying for health care workers, praying for scientists who are trying to find the cure, praying for our grandparents who are … isolated, and those who are lonely in nursing homes — this is a good time for us to think about others.”
