It's okay.. large families take more out of us than smaller ones..

I used to line up my brood, all 14 of 'em, and do inspections before we went anywhere. It was the only way to avoid public humiliation.  Tho as often as not they then just DO something to embarrass me.

My then four year old, who had FAS, club feet, congenitally dislocated hips, wore braces and walked 'funny', once stripped down to her skin in a clothing store.. I couldn't find her. I was panicking.. then.. as I sat all the others down in one spot with the oldest in charge with orders to maim if anyone so much as moved an inch so I could go search..

Listening.. I heard gasps of shock and disgust.. I looked over to see two elderly Hutterite (like the Amish, but more reserved and inhibited) staring in utter horror as my four year old ran screaming through the store..buck naked..shouting:"OOOOHEEEEE! IT feels so good on my skin!!!"

I retrieved her, (but not her clothes, which she'd hidden inside one of those big old clothing racks.. we recovered them about a week later when the store found them), bought her some new clothes and beat as hasty a retreat as one can do with 14 children of all colors/races/appearances can do..

I'm sure 'glowing red' was my primary wardrobe accoutrement for many many years

-KiiskeeN'tum