Cheaper By the [Half] Dozen
We’ve all seen our fair share of family-focused reality TV. Men, women, and children sign up to put their lives on display for all to see. So what does that look like in Jackson, Tennessee? The recently launched web series, Loving My 6.
Now happily married for over ten years, John and Timond Williams are the parents of six children under the age of ten. Shot and edited right here in Jackson by John himself (better known as “John Mike”), their show follows the family members’ lives from work to homeschooling and the dynamics in between. But there is a clear distinction in this web series, framed by its purpose: faith.
“Faith is the foundation to everything that we do!” Timond explained.
The couple hopes to be a light and share with the world God’s plan for families.
“God is perfect in his plan for each of us,” Timond explained. “He had a plan for us to have six children, all under ten years old. He also had a plan for us to home-educate them and to enjoy the journey!”
John Mike and Timond launched their first episode of Loving My 6 on December 13, 2016, highlighting their twins’ (Zion and Zoey) fifth birthday and introducing us to the four other children: Jonathan, Judah, Hannah, and Josiah. Like most activities for the Williams family, celebrating birthdays it's no easy task. But somehow the family manages to make it look easy.
As a homeschooling mother, Timond finds her job both “challenging and rewarding.”
“I love being able to shape and mold our children to be the best that they can be,” she said.
Moreover, the key for her is to release herself from the comparison trap.
“I would advise any mother that homeschools or that's considering homeschooling is to enjoy the journey!” she stated. “There is no ‘one way’ to homeschooling, and you have to learn what works best for each child. Enjoy every day, and living is a learning process all by itself.”
John Mike, founder and owner of Dynamics Music, uses his online business to service musicians across the country. He enjoys having both the flexibility and exposure of having an online company. With his business, he is able to provide for his family while still following his dream of music.
“With my family's dynamic, I can still be a very present father and provider for my family,” he explained. “Many businesses operate 100% online, and that's the goal I have so that I can still be present in my family members’ lives.”
The family also sees the major advantages of raising a family in Jackson.
“My husband and I have always lived in Jackson, so we’ve seen great growth,” Timond said. “It's a great city to raise family because it offers great family activities, and it's also not far from two large cities, Memphis and Nashville. The homeschool community here is great, and there are a lot of family-oriented, great churches here in Jackson.”
The show itself was sparked out of the curiosity on others and the question: How do they do it?
“Before any major decision, we pray,” Timond explained. “Even when it comes to our curriculum choice, we pray. When it comes to what extracurricular activities will our children participate in, we pray and ask God to lead us.”
And that’s exactly what the couple is doing now as they plan more upcoming episodes of the show. Make sure to follow them on Facebook and subscribe to their YouTube page so you don’t miss a beat.
Felicia Ingram is a public relations student at the University of Memphis Lambuth and an intern at theCO. Jackson has been her home for ten years. When not at theCO or working in other capacities, Felicia enjoys singing and songwriting.
Photography provided by John and Timond Williams.
