In an era marked by fear of commitment, instant gratification, and a general decline in birth rates, there are life projects that openly defy the spirit of the times . Berta Lamas, mother of ten and known on social media for her family project “12 at Home ,” embodies one of those profound commitments that many label as audacious, but which she defends with the naturalness of someone who has found the ultimate meaning of her existence .

In a recent appearance on the Rebeldes Podcast , accompanied by Father Ignacio and Brother Marcos, Berta shared the intricacies of a family life where faith, order, and humor intertwine daily . Far from presenting herself as an unattainable heroine, she acknowledges that the path is not without its turbulence, bouts of exhaustion, and moments when “you’re not quite right in the head,” but she insists that the joy that permeates her home cannot be faked .

Roots, faith, and a purposeful courtship

Born in Madrid into a large family with Galician and military roots, Berta inherited from her parents a way of understanding life where God was at the center, following a profound conversion process within the Neocatechumenal Way . It is this same transmission of faith that she has sought to instill in her own children, comparing it to basic physical nutrition: “Children aren’t asked if they want to eat vegetables or sweets; they are fed what nourishes them so they don’t end up consuming just anything on the street ,” she explains .

Under that same premise, she approached her courtship with Eric, her husband of German origin . Far from being a casual affair, the couple cemented their relationship on the compatibility of unwavering moral principles, chastity, and constant dialogue . Eric, raised with Germanic austerity and a strong sense of responsibility, joined their shared project, becoming the silent but steadfast pillar who today shares the demanding logistics of raising ten children and his role as a psalmist in his community .

Educating in freedom and dedication

One of the major debates addressed in the interview revolves around the balance between children’s freedom and firmness in their upbringing. Berta argues that faith is not imposed, but rather proposed and cultivated from childhood through milestones such as the sacraments—compared to natural initiation into sports or cultural identity—so that by the time they reach adulthood, their children have real tools to make choices . In fact, of her seven sons and three daughters, the five eldest are already married and have freely chosen to continue living the Catholic faith .

Managing a household with so many people, she explains, requires a high degree of organization, early mornings, and, above all, a renunciation of individualism . For her and Eric, mutual service within marriage doesn’t diminish a person, but rather elevates them: “To the extent that I would die for you, he takes care of me, and a circle of mutual love is created,” she reflects, recalling how she attends to the small, everyday details for her husband .

True heritage versus modern emptiness

Faced with the anxiety that modern families experience in the face of economic or job insecurity, Berta is clear about the true legacy they will leave their children: “We are not going to leave them anything material because we have nothing, only the house we own; we leave them faith and shared experiences ,” she affirms with conviction .

The testimony of 12 at home stands as a luminous reminder that choosing life, family, and enduring values ​​remains, now more than ever, the most beautiful and transformative act of rebellion .