Parenting tips from a mother of 7 kids

"Mothering is so much more than a list of do's and don'ts," Linnette Sarber said. "It is a daily learning experience, so much so that I feel like even after having my seventh child, I am still such a novice!"

• Begin each day with prayer, recognizing the profound importance of our job as mothers and the immensely difficult task that lays ahead.

• Practice patience, perseverance and perspective. Remember: "This too shall pass." The stages that our children go through are very temporary even though they feel interminable. You will not still be potty training when they are 10.

• Be relentlessly consistent. As a friend puts it: Be the "Queen of Follow-through."

• Admit your mistakes. Having a humble heart allows your family to see your faults. Be willing and able to say, "I am sorry, I was wrong, will you please forgive me?"

• Encourage laughter. Focus on the positive. Give lots of hugs and kisses. There are so many things that threaten to steal our joy as mothers. Remember that a merry heart doeth good like a medicine.

• Teach your children to value the miracle of life and to respect others.

• Keep your standards high, but lower your expectations.

• Teach character above skill. Spend the lion's share of your time teaching your child's heart. Tie their heart to yours through relationship, not rules. This need for character is explained succinctly in this quote: "Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." (John Wooden)