Mutual support, personal example and a little patience are the components of happy motherhood of Natalia Chevganova

Several school briefcases, a large number of shoes in the hallway - and five children who gather at the same dinner table in the evening and discuss the past day: the house of the Rusetsky family is never quiet. But Natalia, a mother of many children, is so used to it that her silence is now, on the contrary, alarming. They and her husband grow up three boys - Matvey, Elisey and Savely and two girls - Ulyana and Zoryana. On the eve of Mother’s Day, we talked with Natalia about motherhood, everyday life and the ability to find joy in everyday life.

The story of Natalia and her wife Valeria began 17 years ago. Young people met in the section of oriental martial arts: Natalia was in the senior group and helped beginners to master, and Valery just came to try his hand at sports. The general fascination brought them closer, but at some point the connection was lost. After a while, fate brought them together again – they never parted.

Since then, five children have been born in the family. The eldest Matthew is 16 years old, followed by 13-year-old Elisha, ten-year-old Savely, seven-year-old Ulyana and four-year-old Zoryana.

As the couple admit, a large family was not originally planned. But Valery was born in a large family, so to look after the younger, the ability to negotiate and support each other from childhood. And when their children came, there was no confusion or fear.

Natalia said that the whole life and way of life is built around the children: Children are the very reason for which you want to grow and change. Thanks to them, for example, we decided to move: initially we lived in a three-room apartment in Minsk, but when Ulyana was born, it became clear that it was becoming too crowded and it was necessary to expand. Now we have our own house in the village of Minsk district. According to the mother, at the time of the move, the house needed repair. They made it on their own - from insulation of the second floor to wiring electricians and finishing rooms. Moreover, Valery has some experience in this case: he is a roofer in one of the private organizations.

Natalia is an economist at the bank. In the family, it is she who is responsible for financial planning: allocates the budget, controls expenses and decides what the funds will be spent first, including in current repairs.

- Each child decides what the design of the room will be. Everyone showed creativity and made their space the way they dreamed, Natalia smiles.

The fact that all the guys are active and versatile, there is no doubt. From just one list of their hobbies, the head goes round. For example, Matvey plays volleyball, reads a lot and even manages to earn extra money on the production of paving slabs. Elisha goes to the swimming pool. Savely manages everywhere: he is engaged in cycling, robotics, wood carving, billiards, in the self-defense section. Ulyana attends dances and weaves beads. Little Zoryana is fond of drawing and sculpting from clay.

- Such a variety of hobbies requires considerable investment. In this matter, the preferences of the state, which turn out to be large families, are of great help: free meals, partial payment for circles, textbooks and much more. - And how not to forget who, where and when you need to take, how to dock all the schedules and at the same time leave time for rest and joint business.

- In September, I draw up their schedule on a sheet and try to bring all this logistics into an acceptable form, Natalia laughs. As you can see, the logic and precision I use in my work also helps in my daily life. Plus, the children call themselves if something changes: someone was released earlier, someone canceled the circle. That's how we live. In a large family, the day begins early. Children wake up at different times: who to school, who to kindergarten. The elders are already accustomed to independence, the younger ones need help in collecting. So, while my mother braids Ulyana, my father owns the kitchen.

Children to school and kindergarten is taken by one of the parents. If Natalia is driving, then, returning, she immediately sits down to work: the remote format allows you to work from home. Only then does it become unusually quiet, but not for long.

- I can tell you that our children are quite independent. Everyone, except Zoryana, can cook themselves a meal, keep the house clean and tidy. But we are a family, so we prefer to do everything together, says Natalia.

This family rule is adhered to in the evening: someone helps in the kitchen with dinner, someone sets the table, someone looks after the younger. There is no strict distribution of responsibilities in the family - everyone does what is best or necessary at a particular time. For example, Elisha can cook soup, Savely can bake cookies, Matvey can help with the younger ones. The main thing is to set an example.

According to the mother of many children, this is one of the basic principles of upbringing in the family. Natalia is sure that no matter how much you explain to the child how right, until you show yourself, you will not achieve anything. Therefore, all households try to sit less in their phones, and spend more time in various activities: go to the forest for mushrooms and berries, go to the country, play board games, get out to the movies and theater.

Speaking about her hobby, Natalia notes that she does not have as much free time as she would like:

- But when I get a minute, I try to use it. I like to collect puzzles – it helps to unload the head and switch. There was a time when I was actively embroidering crosses. I also enjoy cycling: it’s so nice to drive around and get some fresh air. When the conversation began about what is the most difficult in raising children, Natalia did not even immediately respond:

- I can't highlight anything specific. My husband and I seem to have gotten used to everything because we don’t know how it’s different. Many people say that raising one child is not easy. According to her, the formula of family happiness of the Rusetsky family is simple – mutual support and patience. “If they bring their mother, there is a dad,” says Natalia jokingly.

But there's some truth to every joke. As long as everyone in the family supports each other, does not divide duties into female and male, but performs what is necessary at a particular moment, any business will be disputed. And the Russians know this better than anyone.

kurdo@sb.by