MOM NEXT DOOR

LIVE mom next door

Tasha Robichaux

BY EMILY DREZ PHOTO BY LAUREN ASHTON LIGHTS DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY

OCCUPATION: Fourth grade teacher and owner of Indigo Art Studios HUSBAND: Roland Robichaux Jr. CHILDREN: Emma, 18; Silas, 16; Lucy, 14; Joseph, 12; Nathan, 11; Lee, 11; Eli, 6; Kyle, 4 HOBBIES: Art, gardening, painting, & photography

WHEN Tasha Robichaux tells people she has eight children (six biological and two adopted), the usual response is, “Oh, my gosh! You must have your hands full!” The truth is, Tasha wouldn’t have it any other way. In fact, her favorite part about parenthood is having so many children to love on top of her duties as a teacher and an artist at her own art studio.

What does a normal day look like for you? TASHA: I get up at 5 a.m. to get ready for school, then it’s all hands on deck. Emma moved to Hammond for college; she used to be a really big help, so now everyone’s having to chip in a little bit more. Most of the children ride with me to school; then, I teach all day, take care of studio chores after, do homework, get them ready for bed, and do it all over again.

What’s something a lot of people don’t know about you? TASHA: I always knew I was going to adopt a kid one day, ever since I was a child.

What is your favorite art style to teach? TASHA: I feel the most confident in teaching photography. I’ve never charged for photography lessons–it’s always free.

What are the joys and challenges of raising your children? TASHA: Seeing them grow, learn new things, and become responsible individuals is definitely a joy, especially with our first growing up and being on her own. The challenge is trying to keep everything in order. It’s like organized chaos. Sometimes you just have to let things go because you can’t control everything. That’s probably the hardest thing to do.

How would you describe yourself as a mother? TASHA: Laid back, but I have expectations. They know the things I expect, such as doing their best in everything, which is what my husband and I expect for ourselves, too. If you give it your best, you can say that you’ve done it. And I love my babies, they’re all different and have their unique personalities

What do you like to do as a family? TASHA: We like to have movie nights at home, or we go to the zoo.

Teaching is like parenting, but you’re educating everybody as well. You have to give bandaids, split up arguments, and make sure they’re learning what they’re supposed to learn.

What has parenthood taught you? TASHA: Don’t sweat the small stuff. Some things just aren’t worth your time. As long as everyone is fed, happy, and loved, it’s a good day. We haven’t come up with a problem that we haven’t survived yet.

What are some things you hope to teach your children? TASHA: To be kind and to share their gifts with others. As long as you’re doing the best you can do, being a good human, and loving God and everyone else, then it will be a good life.

What is something your job has taught you about parenting? TASHA: Teaching is like parenting, but you’re educating everybody as well. You have to give bandaids, split up arguments, and make sure they’re learning what they’re supposed to learn. There’s so much that goes into teaching that is more than just teaching. At the art studio, whenever we have people coming in with their families, the main takeaway is that families get to spend time together. Even though you may not all have the same interests, you still take time to have conversations and be with each other. It’s a good thing.

Biggest challenge in parenting during the pandemic? TASHA: Keeping the house clean with so many people in it, but at the same time, we had more time to do it. Also, feeding them! The limits on bread and everything was hard. We would exceed the limits on a normal shopping trip, so when they started limiting everything, we had to get very creative with meal planning. In some ways, I kind of miss us being quarantined and having all that time at home.

Biggest challenge for your job during the pandemic? TASHA: Keeping so many little people and their places clean.

We have to remind them to keep their masks on, but overall they’ve been really good about it. We’ve met the challenges head on and have been able to figure out who’s talking with the mask on. You get really good at things that you were not before.

How do you make time to relax? TASHA: My husband and I are really good at tag teaming things, so we give each other breaks. He’ll give me some time for myself, and I’ll give him some time for himself, and sometimes we both manage to get away because our older kids help out.

What personality trait of yours do your children also have? TASHA: My oldest likes to stay busy just like me. I hope they’re gaining a good work ethic, and I see that in the older ones especially. They know the value of working hard for something you want.

What do you want to do that is still on your bucket list? TASHA: Go to Ireland. We’ve done a lot of traveling. We used to live in the Middle East, so we’ve traveled all over the world, but we haven’t been to Ireland.

Any advice for parents who want to adopt? TASHA: Hang in there, it’s gonna happen. The hardest part is the wait, but regardless of how you get your children, there’s a wait, either when you’re pregnant or when you’re waiting for paperwork. Just take time to prepare yourself and try not to stress over it. ■

Q&A

Before I go out, I always check to make sure I have…

my keys.

My favorite dessert is…

ice cream.

My favorite food is...

olives.

Favorite painter growing up…

Vincent Van Gogh.

My guilty pleasure is…

getting my nails done.

The first thing I do when I wake up is...

snooze the alarm clock.

I’m always laughing at… the kids and their antics.