For as long as I can remember our house has been one with an open door policy.
Long before kids were ever even thought of, friends gathered here more often than not and you never knew when someone would pop in.
Admittedly, it was my husband who created this feeling in our home and it was one I had to adjust to when we got together.
But the older my children get the more I realize just how much I want to be THAT house.
I want to be that house.
You know the one. The one where all the kids want to go.
The house where kids know they can show up and be greeted with a smile and a “How was school this week?”
The house every kid knows they will have fun at; but a house that will not hesitate to call their mama if need be.
The place they gather to on Friday nights to play video games way past their bedtime.
The house that allows mud on the floor, dirty socks and shoes thrown about, and 7 half empty cups on the kitchen table.
The house that isn’t mad when the nail polish spills.
The house that can handle the noise of 4 giggly girls plus 3 crazy boys. At the same time.
The house where there will always be fruit snacks in the pantry and juice boxes in the fridge.
The latest Playstation game.
Extra clothes and a toothbrush for whoever sleeps over.
Extra pillows.
Extra blankets.
I want this house to be comfort and happiness and love. Not just for my two kids but for their friends, too.
I want to be the house that my kids know they can bring someone for dinner that might need a break from their own house.
The house where someone can stay the night because they’re having a hard time at home.
There will be plenty of things I can’t do as a mother, but what I can do is love fiercely, and give you a home that feels so safe and secure you don’t want to leave.
I want to be that house. ♥
Liz is a just a mom trying to keep it real about how little she sleeps, how often she gets puked on and how much she loves them. You can find her here every day writing about real-mom moments.
This was my home when I was growing up with 14 siblings!
This was my home when i married my husband and we had 8 kids, 4 boys and 4 girls! All of the kids started playing instruments and singing as soon as they could talk, the earliest talker was #7 who spoke full sentences by the time she was 6 months old! Doctors couldn’t believe it. My other children were speaking fully by 9 months old. Definitely because of all her siblings and the fact that we NEVER used “baby talk ” in our home.
Of course parents would drop kids off for hours, days, weekends, or weeks! It didn’t matter, other kids blended right in!
Anyone who passed by our home was sure to hear band instruments blasting along with singing! Never a dull moment and it hasn’t stopped yet! Our last child just graduated from high school a few days ago and my husband and I never thought this day would come! It’s here! We’re having a graduation Celebration for us, parents very soon!
New chapter of children coming along…those grands! We have 10 or 11 with 2 more due this year! So we will probably never know what it’s like to be empty nesters because the grands are already crying to stay at “Granny’s House” 😂😂😂 I thought my grandson made the song up, but saw it on YouTube!
I wouldn’t change any part of my time with my Family!
P. S. As i was reading your article I really thought i was reading my life! Loved it!
Brandilegg1@yahoo.com
I love this book I wanna buy this book
I love this!!!
Sounds like our house!!!
Although we do demand a little more “picking up after themselves “
Teaches connectivity with the family and being a part of the household!!
It works for us and and all the kids who have come through over the years!!
Bless you for having this refuge!!
Love this! We have always tried to do this! We have had teens come and go in our home for years and we are now experiencing it again with our granddaughters friends. She lives with us…and her friends know they are always welcome! We also mentored and loved (and still do) a young man, through his highschool years, that needed love and food! Our daughter met him theough the cross-country track team and he became a family member in no time. He now has a wonderful family and we stay in touch!
If you open your home to your children’s friends (cousins too!) and always make them feel loved and welcome, your home will be that home. I’ve had deeper conversations with Steve and Cassie’s friends than many of their parents have because they knew I’d listen, offer advice, and answer their questions. They would talk to me about their relationships, ask me about my Catholic faith, really anything and everything. Steve is 27 and living in Queens, when he comes home, his friends will come here. If they pass through Warwick (even after Steve moved out) they’ll call and ask to stay with us (some rather than their own family). Everyone should be that house. Family and friends are everything. ❤️
We had that house when my brothers and I were children. It was quite woderful!
I have been that house and another raised 4 sets of children besides my own or more live in married couples not my children cousin friend children friends from school camp children from all over n u name it I’ve done it n still do taught them so they would be ready for school turn out 2- 4 valedictorim and salutatorian took them to church taught them the word of God made them learn scriptures combed hair bought clothes and gave them much love cooked every day for them and loved them as my own n much more
This is so beautifully written! It’s almost as if someone sees what goes on in my house!! I am so blessed to have that house and one day it will be so quiet so I cherish every moment of it
I am that house for my three teenage boys and Iove it.
This was my parent’s house raising 7 kids plus numerous cousins and friends. This was my house wuth my husband and two sons, living on a corner lot with a lot of cousins and friends gathering there. I still think of them all as my kids, because they were like part of our family. I love them to this day 30+ yrs later.
That was my house growing up, my mother had six children and never turned a friend away when they were having a problem. She took in so many extra kids out of the kindness of her heart. Because of her I have so many I call brother and sister and would never turn a child away if they need me.
Rest in peace my dear mother 💔
Takes me back to my youth when mother and dad were ever active. Dad a high school principal knew who needed help and was always willing to give his all to help. Mother at his side we never knew how many for supper. The eclectic dinner and flatware where even hotdogs and pork and beans were a banquet. Now that dad is gone and mother at 92 still wanting to live in her house it is just a memory. Luckily with 3 grandkids two which are twins grandpa can still catch a fleeting glance of those bygone days and am able at least two days a week tries to be “That House”.
I love this because you just described my house. I three children; 20, 17, and 12. I end up with five extra children almost every weekend. One large dog and three cats. The pets weren’t planed but when your kid comes home with a stray looking at you with their big eyes it’s hard to say no. My husband and I cook for 10 people; Friday dinner, Saturday brunch, and sometimes dinner if my kids need a break from their friends. This mother’s day was a perfect example of the love and respect I get from my three plus five children. The chaos is welcome because our kids are getting older and they will all be gone including the extra five. Our house, our chaos, our joy, and our life.
Love this ! That was our home growing up ❤
I was that house and it was absolutely awesome! My “boys” all (all of them) have grown in to fine young men and moved on with their lives, in a way its a little sad(and lonely), But on the other hand as each one of the “gang” goes off gets jobs, married and have their own family I can’t help but stand back with pride of where they are today. I was so lucky to be the House I wouldn’t change it for the world I just hope they enjoyed it as much as my husband and I did!!
We had a house when the kids friends would come to our house from schools and should stay for supper., until I told them they had to go home now. I did not mind it .
This describes the home my daughter and son in law provided for their 4 children. From the time the children were young their friends spent almost as much time at this home as they did their own. The door was always open as well as the snacks and the frig. Friendships that have lasted through college. This was their second home and the home was always filled with love and laughter. Never any alcohol or smoking just more love and laughter that made the walls vibrate. A true happy place.
This sounds like my house when my kids were growing up. We lived on acreage and the 3 kids had a pony they could ride bareback and hold onto his mane. He came to live with us when we went to a bird aviary auction to buy birds for my 8 year old son and came home with a pony. My 3 year old climbed on him and refused to get off so we ended up with a beautiful addition to the family. Kids would have sleep overs in their cubby house complete with tv. My daughters friends would stay all summer and her mum would call in to visit her. They all knew there was plenty of love and food and blankets at our house. I always hoped my kids would feel comfortable having their friends over. Their grandparents lived down the back paddock. They were never lonely and Nonna and Pop always had a kind word, love, cuddles and animals galore to be loved and cared forNow they are all grown up and having children of their own. They all live in the city and I hope they reflect on the wonderful childhood they had. My husband and I divorced but we are still civil to each other and we both have new partners and we still visit Nonna and she still has plenty of love and care for the grandchildren and now great grandchildren.
I want to be this house yes awesome to greet with a smile and a big hug and all the good things
It was our house and still is
Our house in Strasburg was like that where all our children’s friends came and hung out and enjoyed talking to their dad. Our doors were always opened to everyone even before our kids came along. So be that house and share the love!
Wow, teared up!! I didn’t know I wanted this, but I do!!
I want to be that house too. Beautiful!!!❤️❤️❤️
this brought tears to my eyes. Such a very real place “that house”. Bless you and may God continue to pour favor, generous amounts of annointing and blessings over “your house”. In Jesus precious name.
We have this house and even though I’m divorced my kids still have friends that come over randomly and even have keys just in case doors happen to be locked! Lol usually never. But I always tell my kids biologically or not , its not the house but those in the house that makes it a home and as long as I am alive it is home to all!
Lisa you are that house and 31 years later so am I. They all still come and watch a bit if baseball and enjoy our southern turkey dressing. Love you
That’s how our house was when I was growing up everyone was welcomed the door was always opened. Thanks to MA and DAD
My husband and I tried to live this motto now our kids are gone in on their own. My house is way too quiet way to calm I miss it dearly. The total reward is when those adult children see us out somewhere and give us a hug and introduce us to their families. I hope they can say we touch their lives as much as they have touched ours. Never take a single day for granted ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Thanks to our children they picked wonderful friends and still have them all his lifelong friends
My house growing up was like that. There was always fun, laughter, dirt and kids.
That was my house…my house is still like that, though it is not children in my home but dogs…However kids are welcome too.
That’s the house I had for my three girls! I made it be their security blanket, where they were safe and happy, even if it meant having 15 there watching movies when I got home from work. They all knew that my house was the one place they could come if they were hungry, upset, or wanting to share good news or bad. My house was open to all my girls friends day or night. This was my house.
That’s what’s real. That God’s ministry at work!!
Helen
Our house was never too small to take in a child without a home and animals too. I never was sure how many would be at our table for dinner. It was a great feeling to know our walls were expandable.
I love this and I believe the house I grew up in was like this and then my house was and now my d sightsee hou de is💕
I was that house from the time my babies started having friend, through 6 grandchildren. Now have 4 great grands but am too old for their friends but see them once a week. Our house was always the one where all the kids came
That sounds like my house. We have always had neighborhood kids, church kids, and school friends. This house housed my 3 kids, then raised 3 grandkids and 1 great-grandchild. We had so many issues, but the bottom line was about this house loving on you. You didn’t have everything, but you always had love. Now we are supposed to be empty nest, but they are coming home again. One son’s with us, 1 grandson and 1 great granddaughter. I always say when I die I know God will need me in the nursery for the cherubim’s nursery. Thanks, house for all you’ve sheltered.
I like that wish that’s my house with my girlfriend
I loved this and this is my house where my kids friends come and my grandchildren come this is that house I live in and love every minute of. I have been that house for the last 20 years and I still love it I am going to be lost without that.
This was my house when my kids were young. Always full of fun and laughter. Bring back those days!!!!
I found out this weekend my house is THE house. We have 15 year old twin boys…i had 12 teenage boys and girls here for the last 2 days…1 still remains. My husband too is more the reason than I am…i can deal with little kids way better..and we had 4 under 10 over also.(We have 5 children total 1 girl and 4 boys…ranging from 7-17..the girl the oldest). What a blast it was!! And all said it was the “lit-est”(their word)! SUCCESS!!!
Love this 💗!! We have that house for the most part. Besides my bio kids and step kids (as we are a blended family) we have foster kids… short term and long term placement along with their friends at times. Meals are prepared for 10 plus people and all our kids (everyone including their friends) are asked to give a helping hand and also get to enjoy the ps4, 4 wheeler etc. we have a lot of structure and our kids (any kid that comes through our doors) seems to flourish. Thank you for sharing!!
This was our home when our children were growing up……….we always had an open door, and had many kids stay with us when they needed a place. Sometimes it was just for fun as friends of our kids, sometimes it was because they were having trouble at home and needed a place where they could come with open arms. We loved many, fed many, and enjoyed and grew with many through those years. Now as a gramma, I continue the same…..my door is always open. Extra food, clothes,toys, whatever they could need is here for them….especially our unending love. Life is short, a home is empty without love and life!
Oh yes, love this, made me cry when I thought about my childhood with my four brothers. I sure do miss it,we were rich and didn’t know it,!
I grew up in an amazing house .. my memories r just wonderful .. Christmas spring
Or fall my mother and gave us quite a house and me and my sisters have passed this house onto our daughters So they can build an amazing house too
Sounds like our house when we were growing up those were the days
This is so beautiful and it’s who we are with our home also. I’ve prayed and asked God to make our home this and it’s such a blessing to hear people comment on how at home they feel when they are here. Thank you for putting this to words.
I want to believe we offer this ♥️
Very well written! As I read it tug at my bear as you recreated my childhood and my house as I grew. As my mom created that house for me and my now 10 after adopting 10. So much joy and love she’s always give. I too, want to be, that house.
This has always been my house, (our home) open to all, meals, drinks, snacks, rides, sleep overs & unlimited fun times And when my children & their friends left for University, I was so lonely so again, I opened my home up to International students. All the loving people from all over the world & memories I made are my greatest treasures. NOT ANY HOUSE CAN BE A HOME. IT NEEDS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE TO FILL IT FROM ROOM TO ROOM! I wouldnt have changed it for the world. Xo GOD BLESS OUR HOME XO
Jodie this is so your house. You always make everyone feel welcome and at home. I know we have made a big mess but you never make a big fuss about it, you make everyone feel that we can come in at anytime, no explanation needed. You and Justin are the best!!!!Love y’all
I’d love to subscribe to your blog but I don’t see an option. Love your posts ❤️
Yes! This is exactly how I feel, thank you for putting it into words. I just keep saying I want my house to be a safe place for not only my two daughters but anyone else they bring home.
I really loved that. It was beautiful. That’s the way I was brought up also. Our house was always open to friends and family. Mary Jane
Beautiful!!
Great read! This was my house when growing up and now as I’m a wife and mom. My daughter will be 19yo and my son will be 13. Their friends know they can drop in any time. A few years ago when they were younger, anyone who turned on our street knew where their kids were, by all the bikes on the lawn. In the summer, I’m the mom who puts a pitcher of water or lemonade on the porch with paper cups and a trash can. I’ve had deeper conversations with my daughters friends than some of their moms. I’ve given advice just as I would to my own children. My daughter friends have gone off to college, but they still stop in on visits home. Or, they FaceTime me to check in and see how my day is going. Now that my kiddos are older, I’m the house who has the bonfires and find marshmallows throughout the yard the next day. I love the memories we have made and I’m sad that they’re dwindling down now that the kids are getting older. Thank you for sharing!
I have a house the same as your house, the more the merrier. It has a door that’s never locked and everyone is welcome no matter the day or time. These houses are needed the whole world over. Our houses are the best cus they’re built out of love not greed or need. I hope everyone gets the chance to experience a house like this. Enjoy ever minute of the craziness xx
Awesome stuff
This was our house when my boys were in school. We live in the county and on Friday I never knew how many boys were getting off the bus in front of our house for the weekend.
This was our house when my kids were younger. We always had kids at our house and sometimes even when they weren’t home. I miss those days. Summer was a time you never knew who you would wake up to or how many. One morning I walked into our living room and there were 24 kids a sleep every where and non of them were mine. Great memories ❣️
I love that blog.. I have a house like that. I grew up with an amazing aunt who opened her house up to all of her kids friends and i always.wanted to have that… Now I have 3 teenagers who bring their friends over all the time and hang out.. My husband and I feel like some of the kids need a safe place……some come from broken homes…so thankful to God for.giving us this great opportunity to be role models and mentors to all these kids… To have a open door policy and always cookies and snacks… family isn’t always blood..
I want to be that house also. Wish the world did. It would be a lot better place.
This is definitely my house. Except that you forgot about the pets that come with them. Everyone brings at least one dog a piece. But some how it is always a house full of love, laughter and a lot of understanding. Wouldn’t have it any other way. The door is always open if you need to stop by.
Love
This hit home with me! For many yrs I had a husband that was not nice and didnt want the kiddos all at. I along with my 2 sons were miserable! When I ended that marriage, I knew I wanted my home to be “that home, where my son’s had security and fun while showing respect to all..I wss a teacher and loved my kids as well as others’children. Our home was filled with love and laughter and cont to be the home the kids could all feel safe, wanted and loved..I loved it! Now my sons have left and have their own home. Too quite and still. But still that home..
Thank u for articles as this..
I was the eldest of five children, not much money but full of love. My mam and dad were quite strict with us, we had jobs to do, she went to work week nights and I was left IN CHARGE, I was 10. I had to make my dads tea when he came home and often did all the ironing for my mam.
Our attic was like a youth club with a table tennis table and record player. We were greatly loved and I have tried to be that mam to myfour daughters and their friends.
One girl who used to come regularly for tea once said she liked to come to my house because I made proper food. Her mam was working and used M & S takeaways a lot. Compliments indeed. My girls have always helped me around the house and it’s hasn’t done them any harm.
I really want get a house but me and my boyfriend can’t afford it , we dead by the way and I have 3kids ! I want have nice house I need 2 bedroom
This house describes my house when i was growing up.. then when our kid grew ,up our house became THAT house.. I only know that I loved them. All. And our three could bring friends home with them,and then were welcome. I LOVE YOU, Jill!!!!!!!MOM
I WAS that house, til my children grew up, but before they all left o started over eith2 grandchildren, and guess what! I AM that house again! It’s such a great feeling too. When your little ones grow up and bring their old friends around and they call you Ma or Mom…
I am 80 years old and I think I had that house 6 kids and 1 “adapted “. If all the “things “I have the most precious are the memories and the knowledge that my kids friends knew they were always withelcome for the hour the day the week or longer. It was not a house. It was a home and though my kids are now grown married with their own kids and their friends. They all know my house is still a home and all are welcome from 80 to 8 days old.
This was my house when my boys were growing up. Especially my youngest boy. There’s 10 yrs between my boys. Our house was the house all the boys came too. They played football and rode ho carts In the back yard. They played basketball, they played catch, my youngest had a pitching target with a net that he could practice pitching. They played video games. Ran thru the sprinkler. Made piles if leaves and dove in them with our dog. People walking by would stop and see our dog. Boys came over and built snow domes and had snowball fights. They would come in and drink hot chocolate. Something was always going on and someone was always there. Even when our own boys werent home we s had boys coming over. So I’d day that this is my house or use to be. Now that the boys are graduated and moving on with their lives I sure do miss all the action at our house. I figured if they were here then I knew who they were with and what they were doing!
My Mom and Dads home was just like that! I always called it the half way house…half way between here and half way between there! Everyone stopped in to visit and get coffee. She is 87 years old now and has a commercial coffee pot on the counter! Always someone going Nd someone coming. When we help with the groceries we never forget the coffee♥️ A true Cajun culture Home….everyone is welcomed.
💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
This is my daughter Carries house she is the greatest Mom EVER and with 4 kids 4 Grandkids that can drop by anytime help is always a phone call away ! 💕
This is my word and my every day story. My son 18yrs the can go out and come back at 2am and wake me up ,tell me their stories
OMG. You’re my doppelganger home. I’m in the UK. I was telling my husband that our home is like a youth club. So many kids from 3pm onwards and all weekend. I came from a large Irish family. So I am used to the high randomity. I wanted a safe and memorable childhood for my children. My doors are always open… Like yours. ♥
I never got to have friends at my house. I always went to a neighbors house so I always wanted to have “THAT” house. It wasn’t until I had my own house with 4 kids who had friends come over and make huge messes, ate all my food, broke things, and got wild when I realized nooo thank you I DON’T want “THAT” house ever again… I put a stop to all that when we moved… YUCK
Absolutely Beautiful words!!
I was that House, unfortunately my husband drowned in 2001 while fishing alone!
I’m a very young 57 & would love to start all over!
I don’t see my children much & grandma are out of State!!
I take drives around the Country Side and when I come across a House that gives me that feeling of home, I weep!! My husband was also an Alcoholic, so I yearn for a Godly man! I definitely need prayers!
Hello From Sparta Michigan ( small town Love)
Grandchildren
Yes and my three daughters were growing up this was definitely my house. So now my daughter just sharing this makes me tear up because I’m glad she realized I gave my all and I still do. Now I am raising a granddaughter and my home still has this policy love love love and safety.
You are tat house. I have learned so much from you and the way you communicate with all people but especially kids. You are that house.
I like to think this is my house but with a few grunts and head shaking from my husband. My boys enjoyed my house and now my granddaughter is enjoying it with her friends and after 52 years of marriage my husband is still shaking his head. Oh well that’s life!
Oh Liz you summed that up perfectly!! I am that home!!!! And am crying from happiness to know that I grew up in that house and as a 40yr old mom of 4…+300 more hahahaha I am able to give that same open door love to Soo many more childen!!! Yes…lots of puke and sh*t included too hahahahaha oh to be a mother is the greatest love you’ll ever be able to know 💓🥰 -Heidi Laier ,mama Heidi to all!! …… * Permission to print and use this if wanted
I didn’t see any floor plans of this home to print….
Where can I find a copy of this house plan shown above?
I just stumbled across your blog today, and praise God I did! It’s validating and encouraging to connect with like-minded mamas, even via blog posts.
Is this a book???? I love this. Made me cry and cry. This is my house. I have it. And have loved every single chaotic moment of it. I would love to have it in print somehow..
I feel like people who attain for this want approval from others and want to be seen as “cool” because they are feeling inadequate somewhere else. If you are seeking approval from strangers or remote acquaintances, look deep within yourself and love yourself more. ❤️❤️
That was our house and I loved it now the boys are grown when they do come over it makes me so happy I loved being that house don’t deny your self that pleasure of being that house
That was my house as a teenager.
That was my house, and actually, still
Is even after 60 years.
Thank you for sharing your story.
I think this WAS MY HOUSE and hope it still my house for my grandchildren
Before my divorce I was that house . Then it all changed . Can someone tell me how I can be that house again? . I rember being the cool mom that all of the wanted to come over and intermingle with each other. Then the divorce changed everything. Help me be that house again.
Our home was the safe haven to gather at and I wouldn’t have any other way even today at age 71 they come by to see granny (me)
Our house was full everyday if we were home…CharlesCarter used to bring kids home from theCincinnati Christian Bible college…I found out that there were kids there on weekends and holidays with no where to go andnothing to eat because the lunch room was closed on weekends..one of the couples that were yhe E came to see us last year and brought food all the way from Texas and it was steaming hot and ice cold..?cold had liquid..the other cooler had hot electric pads…layered with coots towels for keepingfrombreakingntheclayers…imwascso surprised thst imcouldntmsleep
For all,the excitment of getting to,see them…they also brought their little dog…the dogbane Ourcat made friends really quick…one time Charles Carter came in hisbDads van and had told me how many would be coming so,I tried to make sure I had a place to lay their heads down..butnimgot up thinking theynwereball ok but the minute I opened the door.”their lay this little girl on our hardwood floor..no. Cover …no pillow..nothing ..just laying there all curled up asleep..of course I got busy finding things to make anotherb bed..she cried when I,woke he up..bless her heart…I do not know why Charles didn’t make sure before he left that they were all fine..thevother thing about Charles was he wanted a room and bed with someone in a home and ghe would pay them for his stay..well..I had just heard that our dear friends Cliff and Susanneb?giltner were Catholic..Charles said that would be no problem…T they really enjoyed having him their..good choice..I still think about that little child cold and crying on our old har floor..Charles was just here to have a part in Jesees funeral..he loved and admired his parents…they were mighty fine people…always a good visit…
These are stunning! Thanks for sharing!
This was our house when my boys were in school. We live in the county and on Friday I never knew how many boys were getting off the bus in front of our house for the weekend. great hacienda beach club for sale
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This was our house when my boys were in school. We live in the county and on Friday I never knew how celebrity homes many boys were getting off the bus in front of our house for the weekend. great again…