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Parenting five children often leaves people in awe. They look at a mum of five and wonder, “Oh my gosh, How does she do it? How does she stay sane? For this mum, the secret isn’t in doing it all or being perfect. It’s in choosing what truly matters, simplifying where possible, and embracing the wonderful chaos that comes with a big family.
Parenting five kids isn’t easy. There’s noise, mess, and so many things to think about. But this mum has found a way to make it work. She has created a system that keeps her family happy and her home running smoothly. The best part? You don’t need five kids to try these ideas—they work for any family.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by parenting—even with one or two kids—you’ll love the systems she’s put in place. They’re not just about surviving; they’re about creating a home where everyone can thrive. Let’s take a look at her life, the choices she’s made, and how she’s managed to find a balance that works for her family.
If you’ve ever found yourself racing between football matches and ballet recitals, only to end the day utterly exhausted, you’ll understand why this mum had to rethink her approach. With five kids, it wasn’t just unsustainable—it was impossible.
Her solution? A simple rule: each child gets to choose one sport per season. Not two, not three—just one.
This rule helps the entire family breathe a little easier. No one is rushing from one event to another, and each child learns the importance of committing to their choice. It’s a valuable lesson in prioritising and making decisions, one that will serve them well throughout their lives.
One commenter summed it up perfectly: “I always tell people the secret is lowering your standards for pretty much everything 😂🤣😂,” said Candace. And isn’t that the truth? Letting go of the pressure to do it all is often the first step toward creating a happier, calmer home.
Another mum chimed in: “Six kiddos here, it can be chaotic at times, but so worth it!” It’s a reminder that even when life feels overwhelming, there’s beauty in the chaos, especially when you create space for the things that matter most.
@laura_milliken Life with five kids. The stuff helps keep it simple! #lifewith5kids #howdoyoudoitthough #bigfamiliesbelike #bigfsmilystuff ♬ Au Revoir - Sweet After Tears
Dinnertime in a big family can be hectic. Plates to clean, counters to wipe, floors to sweep. Cleaning up after dinner with five kids might sound like a Herculean task, but this mum has turned it into an opportunity to teach her children responsibility and teamwork.
After dinner, everyone has a role to play. Each child is assigned a section of the house to tidy up, ensuring that by bedtime, the home is (mostly) clean and ready for a new day.
This simple routine has been a game-changer for the family. Waking up to a clean house sets a positive tone for the day and eliminates the stress of starting the morning in chaos.
As 🌛𝕽𝖆𝖛𝖊𝖓🌜put it: “Cleaning the house after dinner is a GAME CHANGER. I’ll never ever go back to waking up in clutter and mess again.”
For this mum, it’s not just about keeping the house tidy, it’s about teaching her kids the importance of contributing to the family. They learn that everyone has a part to play, and that working together makes life better for everyone.
Laundry might be one of the most dreaded household chores, but in this family, it’s been turned into a manageable, even empowering, routine. Starting in second grade, each child is responsible for their own laundry.
The secret? A designated laundry day for each child. The schedule is simple:
With the laundry room in the basement, each child manages their clothes from start to finish. There’s no sorting, no mix-ups, and no endless piles of washing to tackle.
For many parents, this system is revolutionary. As @TJCappel said, “Not mixing the laundry together and having them do their own was life-changing for us years ago.”
But what about younger kids? Jess asked the question many parents of little ones might be wondering: “Do your kids fold their laundry too? My twins are only three, and I’d love to do this, but I imagine getting them to fold and put away would be challenging?!”
For toddlers, the focus isn’t on perfection—it’s on participation. A three-year-old might not fold clothes neatly, but they can start small, perhaps by matching socks or carrying folded items to their drawers. The goal is to build habits early, so they grow up with the confidence and skills to manage their own tasks.
With five kids, birthday parties could easily spiral into chaos. Instead of trying to host elaborate events, this mum has embraced a simpler, more meaningful approach. Each child picks one friend and gets to do something special with them, whether it’s a day at the zoo, a trip to their favourite amusement park, or a creative activity like pottery painting.
This approach allows the birthday child to feel truly celebrated without the stress and expense of hosting a large party. For the mum, it’s a win-win: less planning, less chaos, and more focus on creating beautiful memories.
It’s also a powerful reminder that sometimes, less is more. In a world that often values extravagance, this family has chosen to prioritise connection and quality time.
Let’s be honest: life with five kids is never going to be perfectly ordered. And this mum isn’t pretending otherwise. Instead, she’s embraced a new level of chaos and found peace within it.
As she puts it, “You just accept it. A new level of chaos becomes the baseline, and you learn to thrive within it.”
This mindset is one that resonates with many parents, no matter how many kids they have. Life is unpredictable, especially when you’re raising a family. But when you let go of the need for perfection and focus on what truly matters, you create a home filled with love, laughter, and resilience.
At the heart of these systems is a philosophy that prioritises simplicity and connection. This mum has found ways to reduce the mental and physical load of parenting by sharing responsibilities, setting boundaries, and letting go of unnecessary stress.
It’s a reminder that parenting doesn’t have to be about doing it all. It’s about finding what works for your family and embracing the beautiful, messy, and sometimes chaotic journey.
© Mindsmaking 2024
