[The Epoch Times, April 4, 2022](The Epoch Times reporter Louise Bevan / Zi Yiming compiled) A mother of 8 shares how she organizes her busy daily life and takes care of this happy family. well organized. From raising 8 children to being a basketball coach to being the president of a fashion company, she lives by her own example: giving, hard work, obedience and kindness.
Amanda Barker was born in Wyoming and is 44 years old. Lives in Provo, Utah with husband Tyler, 48, and eight children. The children are: Charlee, 20; Cash, 18; Call, 16; Codee, 14; Cruz, 12; Cooper, 11 ; Clancee 9 and Covington 7.
Amanda told The Epoch Times: “My day usually starts before the kids wake up. I like to get up early, work out before the kids get up, meditate, and then take a shower… let myself do it first. Get ready, then help the kids with housekeeping and get them to school.”
The oldest child goes to school at 7:30 in the morning and the youngest goes to school at 8:00. When her husband Tyler, who works in an animal pharmaceutical factory, is at home, he prepares breakfast for the children and takes them to school, while Amanda uses the time to do her hair and tidy up the house. After that, she reads the Bible, writes a diary, and prepares to go to work at 9:00. In the afternoon, Amanda, the head coach of the women’s basketball team at Provo High School, had a 3-hour basketball practice session. In the evenings she is also crammed with activities for the children, including basketball, gymnastics, church activities, homework and more. Before bedtime, the family gathers to read the Bible, pray, and then prepare for the new day. The daily schedule is, in Amanda’s words, “crazy.”
Amanda said that in her prayers she asked the Lord to keep everyone in the family safe and well. “As long as a person is diligent and kind, God will help her through all the difficulties in life,” she said.
Amanda had always dreamed of having a big family, but never expected to have eight children. However, she believes that every child is the “best gift” God has given her.
The couple followed a rule of thumb when naming their children: the first letter is “C”. When she was asked if it was difficult to find so many names starting with a C, Amanda said it wasn’t. She said that even though she didn’t know whether the name was gender-matched, she could always think of what to name her child, and she didn’t know why it was successful every time.
Although the initials of the children’s names are the same, each child’s personality is different. Amanda, who teaches students according to their aptitude, says: “I see each child as an individual and it’s critical to understand their strengths and weaknesses. It’s important to understand what drives them to make the right choices and how each child expresses The way of love, it’s not easy for me, but I love the challenge.”
In terms of educating children, in addition to asking God to give her wisdom, Amanda also communicates with children by asking questions. For a car game for the Buck family, for example, Amanda asks each child, “Which one would you choose?” No matter what answer the child gives, Amanda encourages them to speak up. Children learn more about each other as they talk about what they chose and why.
In addition to self-managing, practicing, coaching basketball and raising children, Amanda also runs a women’s clothing brand, Halfee Layering Fashions. Starting the company was her inspiration for breastfeeding her fifth child, Cruz.
Amanda describes: “When I was wearing a shirt, I was unhappy at the thought of wearing an extra layer of base inside. As a woman, especially when pregnant or breastfeeding, the part of the shirt below the breast line can be very inconvenient. I I vividly remember one time I said to my husband, ‘Taylor, I want to start a t-shirt company and create a simple, no-below-the-line shirt with a variety of sleeve and neckline options.’ He stared blankly. I was completely stunned by what I said.”
With the help of her mother, Amanda cut all the shirts in the wardrobe below the bust line, and then sewed a belt around the bottom to tie it. She used the shirt she made as a prototype and sent it to be processed and produced.
Twelve years into the clothing company’s existence, Amanda has sold Halftee shirts on home shopping channels in multiple countries. Amanda said: “All women face the daily struggles of dressing or shopping, yet Halftee solves all of these problems efficiently and comfortably.”
Amanda, who has always wanted to be a businessman, said that starting a company was an extremely difficult task, and the beginning was a roller coaster, but luckily she had the full support of her husband and a group of lovely children.
Taylor met Amanda while playing basketball at Brigham Young University. By June this year, the two celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary. They consider their greatest achievement to be having a “happy family” and that “extraordinary hilarity” is the unique asset these close-knit children bring to them.
As the children grew up, Amanda and Taylor set aside time specifically to be with the children. They swim, boat, travel, quad bike, watch movies and spend time together on the Idaho ranch together. The ranch experience teaches children important skills in teamwork.
The Bucks host a week-long family trip every year, and they follow the “no friends on Sunday” convention throughout the year. “Every Sunday, our family gets together for a family dinner. We discuss the week and our activities,” Amanda said, “and then clear the dishes together. Even though the kids complain every time, it’s also a good time. We brought laughter and increased family ties.”
The couple’s eldest children, Charlie and Cash, are currently serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
As a mother of eight, Amanda advises that the way a big family gets along is love that knows no bounds and faith that comes first.
She said: “To be with the children, invest time in each child. Give the children more hugs and support each other in the family.
“Listen to God, because He knows everyone better than we do ourselves.”
Responsible editor: Jasmine#
