About 71 Toes
Hello & Welcome
Here at 71Toes you’ll find the story of how my husband and I have muddled through raising our five children mixed with hundreds of ideas that will expand your parenting landscape.
I’ve always been a record-keeper at heart. Over the last fifteen years, what started as a family journal has expanded to this 71Toes community that now stretches to mothers all over the world. I’ve learned so much from reading about other people’s experiences (I love a good memoir!) and I hope that you’ll find this “memoir” helpful.
This job of parenting can be frustrating, messy, thankless, as well as rewarding and joyful. Hopefully you can find reassurance and power for your own journey here at 71Toes.
About Shawni
I grew up in a family of nine kids where my parents (authors of NYT bestselling parenting books) put all their raising-a-great-family ideas to work.
As the second oldest, I felt like I practically “raised” my seven younger siblings and went into motherhood feeling pretty prepared – only to be hit with reality. There is no doubt, parenting is a tough job! But truly “the one for which all others exist” -C.S. Lewis.
I wrote my own mothering book along with my mother called A Mother’s Book of Secrets. I lead a podcast with my sisters called “In the Arena with the Eyre Sisters.” Tune in where we share the highs and lows of motherhood as “fellow strugglers.”
My Family
I married the incredible David Pothier and we moved to Washington, D.C. for our post-college jobs. We lived there for six years and had our first three babies: a boy and two girls. Then we moved to the desert of Arizona and had another baby girl. And then ANOTHER.
Now each of those five children are adults, spreading their wings on their own adventures. Two of them have married my favorite in-laws of all time. And I learn from them all every day.
That one boy of mine? He’s given us a few MORE girls in the form of his wife and our two granddaughters. And I couldn’t love them more!
Why “71 toes”
Our last child, Lucy, was born with a rare genetic syndrome called Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS). It causes a myriad of health problems including, most heartbreaking for us, blindness. You’ll also find posts about Lucy and raising kids with special needs on this blog.
As part of BBS, Lucy was born with an extra toe, resulting in 71 toes in our family. Hence the name for this blog.
Education
I attended Boston University as well as Brigham Young University – about as different as two college experiences as can be – and I loved and learned so much from both. I earned my degree in Social Work from BYU.
My Faith
My parenting journey is largely influenced by my faith. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am so grateful for how religion has helped me connect with God through the thick and thin times of my life. I’m so grateful to have had God as a parenting/life partner through all these years.
Our faith is a big part of life in our family.
I served as a missionary for my church as did every one of my eight siblings. Yes, kind of crazy! I served in Romania, David served in Taiwan, and three of our children have served missions as well, in Taiwan, Texas and Australia.
Travel
I grew up with my parent’s mantra “Never let schooling interfere with your education.” We traveled the world any chance we got. We spent summers in Japan and Mexico, and spent a summer camping while building a log cabin in the Blue Mountains of Oregon. London was our home a couple times. We were exposed to many different cultures and customs. We learned there are so many ways to live a good life.
That travel bug has been infused securely into each of us nine kids and we will jump on any chance to see the world. The crazier the travel and accommodations, the better!
So my family and I have traveled quite a bit as well, including living for one school semester in Shanghai, China. I love to document our travel as a family here on the blog.
Favorite Recipes
Part of mothering is for sure feeding our families. Through the years, I’ve gathered all kinds of family-approved recipes that I share here on the blog. Most important, of course, are a whole slew of recipes for chocolate chip cookies since those are my favorite. But I share all kinds of delicious tried-and-true meal ideas as well. I hope they add more to the food repertoire in your home.
What you’ll find here
Here’s a small sampling of what you’ll find on this site:
Our Family Memories
A record of how we have raised our five children, snapshots at the beginning of each year, and a family journal.
Thoughts on Motherhood
Encouragement and wisdom for the all-important job of being a mother.
How to Build Relationships
Ideas for strengthening the relationships in your family.
Family Traditions & Culture
Tried and true family traditions that build a strong family culture.
Navigating Faith
Thoughts about navigating faith and how to connect kids (and yourself) to God.
Book Recommendations
Book recommendations: for kids, young readers, book clubs, books that just make you think. I love to read!
Travel Tips & Itineraries
Travel itineraries and posts that will “transport you” all over the world and hopefully give you more ideas for family travel.
Parenting Helps
Ideas for family systems, a family economy, jobs charts to keep your family running smoothly.
Public Speaking
Time Out for Women
Presenter about motherhood for two years
Get Organized Summit
Motherhood transitions and how to handle them
I Am Mom Summit
Nurturing Great Relationships with your Teens and Young Adults
The Mom Conference
Various sessions on becoming the mom we want to be
American Mothers
Awarded state and national young mother with speaking engagements across the country
8-Minute Classes for Moms
How to plan a family reunion
As Seen On
Featured publications
We Believe App
Quarterly devotional about faith and scriptures
The Magnify Podcast
God is Our Guide in Parenting
Power of Families Radio
Ideas and inspiration for purposeful parents
Beyond Good Intentions
Words of encouragement for her teens as they left the home
I’m a Mormon Campaign
My motherhood was highlighted in this campaign, and my picture was flashed in Times Square for a bit because of it
The Mom Voice
How to become a deliberate mother
Eyres on the Road
A close-up on Shawni Eyre Pothier
Meridian Magazine
Trenches don’t Last
Deseret News
Faith is prevalent in the blogging community
Mom Force Podcast
choosing one word to focus on for the year
Want Mothering Ideas Right in Your Inbox?
For years I’ve been collecting favorite motherhood ideas. Ideas that work, and that have changed our family for the better. Subscribe to get a short tip/encouragement right in your inbox.
