Strategies for Successfully Managing a Large Family of Eight Kids, Including Twins and Triplets
While most parents can find it ᴅɪғғɪᴄᴜʟᴛ to take care of ᴀ ʟᴀʀɢᴇ family. But, Chloe who of-eight with twins and triplets has offered a glimpse into what the night-time routine looks like in her busy household.
Chloe Dunstan, a 27-year-old mother from Perth, manages a thriving and expanding family. By the age of 22, she already had three children: Evan (8), Otto (7), and Felix (6). Shortly after, she gave birth to triplets Rufus, Hank, and Pearl, who are now almost 5 years old. Adding to the excitement, Chloe recently welcomed two more babies in late October. Astonishingly, all of her children were conceived naturally. When the older siblings noticed their mother's growing belly, they curiously asked if it was a "food baby." Chloe joyfully shared the news with everyone, expressing her enthusiasm for this new chapter in their lives. The addition of twins feels like the perfect fit for their big family, and the children couldn't be happier about having more siblings.
As their family continues to grow, Chloe's life becomes increasingly busy. A typical day in their household begins with Chloe rising early to ensure the children are getting ready for the day ahead. Afterward, she assists them with their schoolwork while also tending to her own tasks. Chloe and Rohan have taken on the responsibility of homeschooling all six of their children while simultaneously running an online toy business from the comfort of their home.
"The children engage in a variety of school activities and then focus on pursuing their passions, such as drawing, art projects, science experiments, and spending quality time outdoors," Chloe explains. Juggling a career, homeschooling, and homework can be overwhelming, but the couple manages it effectively by working together. By taking on these responsibilities, they can maximize their family time, which holds immense significance for them.
As the day progresses, around 4:30 PM, Chloe begins preparing dinner while the children pitch in to tidy up their play areas, including the LEGO room, playroom, and drawing table. Chloe explains, "While the babies take a nap in their rockers, the older kids help with the tidying. Meanwhile, I cook dinner for them." One of her go-to dinner recipes is a pasta dish made with San Remo pasta, eggplant, zucchini, baby spinach, diced tomato, onion, pasta sauce, and textured vegetable protein (TVP) as a meat replacement. Chloe values quick and easy meal solutions that are both simple to prepare and nutritious, catering to the needs of her large family. At 6 PM, the children gather around the table to enjoy their dinner.
After dinner, the children take turns bathing and changing into their cozy pajamas while Chloe attends to bathing and feeding the newborn twins. The kids enjoy watching Sylvie and Cosmo during their bath time, and then they diligently brush their hair and teeth in preparation for bed. Chloe shares, "Before bedtime, we gather together for a nighttime story. Throughout the years, I have amassed over 1,000 books for my family, all neatly organized on the shelf by color. Currently, the children's favorite story is 'The Gingerbread Man'."
At 8 PM, Chloe tucks each child into their respective beds, bidding them goodnight. Afterwards, she and her husband unwind for an hour by watching television together. Over time, the nighttime routine has become more manageable, especially since all the children, except the twins, can now dress themselves. Chloe recalls that when the triplets were younger, it required a lot more effort. However, she emphasizes that in large families, it's essential to find what works best for each individual situation and adapt accordingly.