Sarah shares her experience -Mom of 6
You know, when people hear ‘six kids’ and ‘sports,’ they often imagine total chaos, and honestly, sometimes it is a beautiful, exhilarating chaos. But what truly anchors us isn’t a rigid schedule; it’s what I call our ‘predictable rhythm.’ It’s like a song we all know the words to, even if we hum it a little off-key sometimes.”
Didn’t start out as the ‘routine queen.’ My first two, maybe even three, it was more about survival. But by the time number four came along, and the older ones were starting t-ball and ballet, I knew we needed a system. Not to control everything, but to create breathing room. That’s my main principle: routines aren’t about perfection; they’re about giving us space to actually live and enjoy each other, even amidst the busyness.
The biggest positive impact? It’s the peace it brings. The kids know what’s coming, which cuts down on meltdowns and arguments. And for me, it reduces that constant feeling of being overwhelmed. We get more quality time because we’re not constantly scrambling.
So, how do I keep track of it all? Honestly, a giant whiteboard in the kitchen is my command centre. It’s colour-coded for each child, with school events, practices, and appointments. Everyone can see it, which is half the battle. Plus, I use a shared digital calendar with my husband for bigger appointments.
Mornings are definitely a ballet. Or sometimes, a contact sport! My secret weapon? I try to wake up at least 30 minutes before anyone else. Just that quiet time for myself, to make my coffee and mentally go over the day. It’s a game-changer. For the kids, it’s about clear expectations: clothes laid out the night before, backpacks by the door. And if all else fails, cereal is a perfectly acceptable breakfast on a crazy morning. No guilt here!
Getting the kids to own their routine has been huge. We have a simple chore chart, but it’s more about ‘family contributions.’ My older ones know that if their soccer bag isn’t packed the night before, it’s their problem, not mine, when we’re rushing out. It teaches them responsibility without me having to nag constantly.
Dinner on busy nights? Oh, that’s where my freezer becomes my best friend! Crock-Pot meals are a lifesaver – think pulled pork, chilli, or a big batch of pasta sauce I can freeze. My top three easy meals? Tacos (everyone can build their own!), a big sheet pan of roasted sausage and veggies, and a hearty soup with crusty bread. Simple, crowd-pleasing, and minimal dishes.
And that transition from practice to homework? It’s all about the ‘decompression zone.’ When we get home, everyone knows there’s usually a 15-20 minute window. They can grab a snack, tell me about practice, or just sit quietly. No screens right away, no immediate demands for homework. Just a little breathing space to shift gears. It works wonders.
Of course, it’s not always smooth sailing. The most frequent challenge? The unexpected. A sudden fever, a last-minute practice change, or someone just having an ‘off’ day. That’s when the routine feels like it’s crumbling.
When a day totally derails, I’ve learned to be flexible. My old self would try to force it back on track, making everyone miserable. Now? I take a deep breath. Sometimes, it means letting go of a non-essential task or declaring an impromptu ‘pizza and movie night.’ You have to know when to hit the reset button, dust yourselves off, and start fresh tomorrow. The world won’t end.
Finding one-on-one time with six kids? That’s the unicorn hunt you mentioned. It’s not always grand gestures. It’s often small moments: helping one with a puzzle while another is reading, having a quick chat during carpool, or letting one stay up 10 minutes later for a special story. It’s about being present and making eye contact, even for a minute.
If I had one simple tip for an overwhelmed parent, it would be this: Pick one thing. Just one. Maybe it’s laying out clothes the night before or having a designated spot for backpacks. Don’t try to overhaul everything at once. Small, consistent changes create big ripples.
And my most unconventional hack? It sounds silly, but ‘designated chaos zones.’ We have one cabinet in the kitchen that’s basically a free-for-all for snacks, and each kid has a small basket in the living room for their ‘stuff.’ It prevents the whole house from becoming a disaster zone by containing the mess in specific spots. It’s not perfect, but it works for us. It’s a journey, not a destination, this parenting gig. There are tough days, and there are incredibly joyful ones. But having a routine, a rhythm, it just helps us all dance through it a little more gracefully.
