Having navigated the journey of raising four kids over the last six and a half years, I’ve experienced significant growth in various aspects of my life:
- Physical Changes: Across four pregnancies, I’ve fluctuated by a total of 140 pounds, averaging around 35 pounds per pregnancy, with some cravings for chocolate and nachos making things interesting.
- Perspective on Vanity: My cool factor took a nosedive the moment we opted for a minivan, despite my previous vows that only “nerds” drive them.
- Control Over Outfits: The days of coordinating my children’s outfits are long gone. Honestly, who has time for that?
- Adaptability: My ability to handle chaos has significantly improved. From managing broken bones (three so far) to dealing with newborn colds (lost count after a dozen), I’ve learned to roll with the punches. Forgetting a Pack ‘n Play on a trip? No big deal; life continues.
What to Expect When Raising Four Children
For anyone contemplating the adventure of having four children, here’s what you can expect:
- Reactions from the Public: When you venture out with your entire crew, prepare for some curious stares and questions. Just the other day, while at a doctor’s appointment, I was approached by four different people asking if all my kids were mine. One woman even stopped her car to inquire. Yes, this delightful circus is indeed all mine! Comments I frequently hear include, “Wow, that’s a lot of kids!” and “Did you plan this?”
- Your Daily Reality: Living with four children can feel like a scene from the film Memento, where the protagonist can only remember snippets of his life. My mind often feels overloaded with thoughts—did I pay the phone bill? What day is it? Did the baby nurse recently? With four kids each vying for my attention, it’s no wonder some things slip my mind: jackets, backpacks, and even responding to messages.
- Escaping the House: Mornings resemble a scene from Jumanji. Just last week, my partner Alex had to wrangle all four kids solo for a morning appointment. He managed to get everyone fed and dressed, but his summary of the experience was simply, “Yeah, that was wild.” The morning rush involves comforting a crying baby while trying to convince a toddler to put on their shoes—an exercise in patience!
- Nail Trimming: After managing to clip my kids’ nails post-shower, I realize I’ve just tackled a hundred nails in total—definitely a potential band name.
- Privacy? What’s That?: My moments of solitude are non-existent. Recently, while showering for a brief three minutes, one of my little ones stood outside asking if I was done yet to show me a “trick.” The trick turned out to be simply jumping over a blanket spread on the floor!
- Catering to Picky Eaters: Cooking for four discerning palates often feels like a culinary challenge. I’m working on training them to appreciate my meals, with the rule that they can either express gratitude or simply acknowledge what’s for dinner without criticism.
- Bathing Frequency: Hypothetically, I might find myself bathing my children less frequently than when I had just one or two. Some parents of four have admitted to spacing baths a few days apart, especially when bedtime needs to happen immediately.
- Embracing the Chaos: Despite the unsolicited comments from strangers and the whirlwind of daily life, each new addition to the family expands your capacity for love in ways you never thought possible. At the end of a long day, when all the little ones are asleep, I cherish the quiet moments with a glass of wine, reflecting on the beautiful chaos we call family.
For more insights on family planning and home insemination, visit Make a Mom for helpful resources and tips. If you’re considering at-home options for starting a family, check out this fertility-boosting kit for more information. Additionally, this resource from the NHS is excellent for understanding pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, navigating life with four children presents unique challenges and delightful rewards. The chaos is real, but so is the love.
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