ESP: With such a big, blended family, what has motherhood taught you the most over the years?
Brandy: I feel like motherhood has taught me to go with the flow and take time to enjoy them while they are young, because it goes by so fast! With my first few kids I regret worrying so much. I tried to make sure they did all the things. I feel like I was so caught up in life that I forgot to just slow down and enjoy the little things. Now, I try to stop and slow down and enjoy them where they are.
ESP: What led you and your husband to adopt through foster care, and how has that journey shaped your family?
Brandy: We both love children and we have a huge heart for helping children in need. Our family decided to foster, and later adopt, children as a way to do just that.
In foster care, many times families can get the help they need and work towards reunification, which is the goal. Many children that we fostered were able to be reunited with their families. Being a part of that is an amazing experience.
However, in the times that it could not work out we were very happy to grow our family through adoption. Our adopted children have been a very special blessing to our family. We cherish having a large, loud, and wild home life filled with “family game nights” and large family dinners. We all have a very special and close relationship as a family, and that is priceless to us!
ESP: How do you balance raising eight children while also running multiple businesses?
Brandy: That is a challenge for sure! And I definitely could not do it all without my amazing husband! He is such a dedicated father and hardworking man. We often also include our children in our work. Especially our farm! The kids really enjoy being able to help take the animals to large events and interact with people and share their animals with others!
ESP: You’ve built not just one, but two businesses—what advice would you give to moms who feel called to pursue something of their own?
Brandy: I would say go for it! Owning your own business can be challenging for sure, but it’s so rewarding too! If you have a passion for something, pursue it with all you have! It may not happen overnight, but dedication and hard work go a long way!
ESP: What inspired your first book, and what message did you hope kids would take from it?
Brandy: We always have people that visit the farm and ask us, “What made you decide to do this?” It’s just not something you see every day! So, this inspired me to tell our story!
“Let’s build a farm” is a book about our family, and the reason we built a farm — which is to share the happiness our animals bring with others! Kids can see actual photos of our family, the farm, and the animals on the farm! They can even learn the animal’s names!
ESP: Your upcoming book is about Fate, the rescued horse. What’s the story behind that and why was it important for you to share?
Brandy: Fate was a very special rescue horse that we saved from slaughter. He came to live on our farm, and he was very popular. Many people heard his story and came to see this giant horse. He was so very special and kind.
Unfortunately, he had a terminal condition so we kept him at the farm for about nine months, and spoiled him to no end, before he crossed the rainbow bridge. His story is about how we met, and how he went from being broken, unloved, and cast away to so very cherished that people from miles around came to see him. I wrote this book, which has been modified into a Children’s book, to teach children the value in loving and rescuing animals.
ESP: With kids ranging from 9 to 24, and now a grandbaby, how has your role as a mom evolved through the different seasons?
Brandy: Well, it’s definitely interesting! I can now be friends with my older kids, and I’m so proud of the adults they have all become.
My youngest children are still in elementary and high school, so I’m still in the midst of hard core mom life!
It’s very sweet to see the older kids come visit and take their younger siblings for the night to “give mom and dad a break”!
It’s hard watching your kids grow up and leave home, but when the dynamic changes and you get to sit back and be proud of the kids you raised, it’s very special.
I have also learned with the younger ones that seasons change, and not to stress so much over the little things. All too soon they grow up, and you wish sometimes you could go back, even if for an instant, and see those little hands or hear that baby talk one more time!
Rapid Fire Questions:
- Farm life in one word? Dirty
- Motherhood described in one word? Love
- Sunrise or sunset? Sunset
- Farm chores or house chores? Farm Chores
- Coffee or sweet tea? Unsweet Tea!
Brandy Maynard is a busy mom of eight, and who has built a life rooted in love and purpose. Alongside her husband of four years, Ty, she runs Maynard Family Farm, where they welcome children for hands-on experiences, from field trips to birthday celebrations. Their family story includes the adoption of four of their children through foster care. Between running two businesses and authoring children’s books inspired by their farm life, she beautifully blends entrepreneurship with a passion for creating meaningful experiences for others.
