What a Catholic Mum of 8 Wants Every Aussie Mum to Know

What a Catholic Mum of 8 Wants Every Aussie Mum to Know

Being a mother is the most rewarding thing you’ll ever do…


And the most difficult.

There are so many challenges that mum’s face when raising kids. Keeping them in the faith, effectively parenting, or even just having time for everything.

And we get it.

That’s why we've done a special Q&A this Mother’s Day with Melanie Buchan.

Learning from others is one of the best things that you can do - and Melanie is one of those rare people who somehow manage to do a whole lot. She’s a mother of eight, works on a farm, and runs two businesses. 

Personally, I’m in awe with all that Melanie has done. Today, she’s shared her own story and generously given some quick advice about how to be an effective parent. 

This is Melanie’s testimony and what she wants every Aussie mum to know;

 

“What inspired you to start Catholic Artisan and Essence&Acres?”


When I had my seventh baby, I discovered several family-run, Catholic businesses on Instagram in the US and ached to do something like that myself. I especially loved that Catholic Mums could make a little money, promote the faith, AND stay at home.

The Catholic T-shirt Club particularly inspired me. I reached out to them and sold their monthly box subscription from Australia for about a year. Over that time, Andy and Vanessa Ciastko mentored us and eventually encouraged us to start our own Catholic business.

Essence and Acres is a side project of mine sharing my love for aromatherapy and low-tox living. My Instagram page features a lot of our farming ventures such as milking our cow, harvesting honey, producing our own meat, and various other things. I love sharing our journey, and the community has brought me some valuable friendships.

 

You’ve got a farm, 2 businesses and 7 kids. Many parents feel like they always have no time. How do you manage to do everything and have peace?


I have a very clear order of priorities. Catholic Artisan is now at the point where I don’t have to spend a lot of time on it every day. This time for me is my quiet time and I just LOVE it. I wouldn’t say that I always have peace, but we work through the challenges together.

 

How has living on a farm shaped your motherhood in ways city life never could?


We feel that there is more room for creativity and adventure in the country for our children, and what we are personally equipped to provide them. I have seen the kids take on some interesting tasks and learn some unique skills. Also, life lessons come naturally on the farm. I feel like there are lessons coming straight from God to my family, through our little patch of land.

 

If you could tell your younger self—when you had one or two kids—one thing, what would it be?


I would tell my younger self that “It’s ok, you are going to have another six kids!” I constantly feared that because my births were C-sections, we would not be able to have a large family. I am now currently pregnant with my eighth baby after a seven-year gap. God is so good!

Also, I would tell myself to hurry up and learn to trust God, and stop stressing!!

 

 

If another Catholic mother told you she was afraid to have a big family, what would you say?


Some days are really challenging, and there can be struggles that last for quite some time. It isn’t easy, and I’ll never say it is. However, with every child comes a new joy. These joys change and develop, and surprise you. Each child is a gift from God that you get to discover every day for the rest of your life.


Over the last few years two of mine have become adults and Lachie and I have just been blown away by what they have done with their lives. I would never have guessed that having older children and so many of them would be this much fun!

I also feel strongly about two things:
 ⁃    When you try your best, God rewards you and often helps you along the rest of the way (My favourite saying: “God rewards effort”).
 ⁃    Just when you think you “can’t take anymore” of a certain season, He comes to the rescue.

So don’t look too far ahead, God gives you one baby or pregnancy at a time!

 

Have you found any unique and effective approaches to parenting?


Sometimes I feel like being a Catholic parent and living the faith IS a unique approach!

Being a convert, to me, the following are little things that are unique, but also so absolutely important:

-Reminding the kids to ask God for help and reminding them that Jesus will look after them.
-Teaching them to say a ‘Hail Mary' when they have a nightmare or see an emergency vehicle.
-Implementing God into their life in little ways and just reminding them of His love for them.
-I also pray with them every night and often remind them to “Do God’s will”.

Practical parenting tip: Almost every day we have a “two song-quick clean up”. The kids and I all work together to make the main living area reasonable so that we can function better. I play two songs on a speaker and when they are over we stop. Everyone is more motivated when the living area is a little tidier.


What’s something you’ve learned that you wish every Catholic woman could know?

We are so beyond blessed to have the faith and the sacraments right at our fingertips. Never take them for granted.

 

What’s your favourite Catholic book and why?


The first book that comes to mind is “Catherine of Siena’ by Singrid Undset. The first page brought tears to my eyes. Saint Catherine is my Confirmation saint and my daughter is named after her, so I have a special love for this saint. Singrid Undset, a Catholic convert, is a unique writer, who particularly loved medieval history. Her love for the faith comes through strong in her work and she paints a picture you can’t forget!

 

If you want to learn more about Melanie, you can checkout her Instagram here at Essence&Acres or CatholicArtisan

 

God Bless and Happy Mother's Day,

Virtue Books and Gifts

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