My husband and I have had 7 children. The first 6 came in a span of 10 years (1997–2007) and our youngest, number 7, is 10 months old. He was a delightful surprise in 2015.

The trends raising our youngest have certainly changed in the 18 years since my oldest was a baby. I didn’t even have a cell phone then! We used VCR tapes, cassettes of Barney were in the tape deck in the van, Wii only meant 'we'….

The dangerous trend I have observed in more recent years is not being there. Oh as a mom of many I am “there”, but sometimes not really THERE. So my number one suggestion is be there- in the moment- with your child. Put your phone down- look into their beautiful eyes and listen to them. Here’s why… you will blink and your little one will be an adult.

I feel like this last little blessing has taught me sooo much about the passing of time.

Not to waste it on my phone- reading about the lives of others while the ones around me need me, want to talk to me and really would love for their mommy (or daddy) to just look them in the eyes when they ask even a simple question.

With our seventh I feel like he has been an eye opener for us. Thankfully we still have young ones and I am a mom who is still learning.