During this blog series, three local parents: Gretchen, Michelle, & Lucy, share the joys and challenges of raising 5 children. From what chore they dread the most, to the food item they are constantly running out of, take a peek into life with 5 kids!

Today we're featuring Michelle's family.

What is something strangers comment on that bothers you? 

You know how that happens, right? You have your hands full. Are you sure your daughters are twins?

What is your favorite comment from strangers? 

They're beautiful! Your children are so well behaved! You and your husband are an excellent team!

What would your kids say is the question you get asked the most from strangers? 

Are they all yours? What's it like to have that many kids?

What's the most challenging thing about having 5 children

Not losing my sh**! Seriously though, dividing my time evenly and trying to listen to 5 stories at the same time!

What's the most rewarding thing about having 5 children? 

Knowing that my children will remember a childhood filled with fun, laughter, and a whole lot of love. They'll be adults/parents someday. I'm confident that they'll be best friends with one another.

What do you wish more people understood about your family?

We may be loud and energetic, but it's because we're having fun and loving life!

What advice would you give to someone planning on having several children? 

Just do it! Don't worry about societal norms or rude comments from strangers. You'll be so glad that you provided your children a large family experience.

How important is it for you to spend one-on-one time with each child? How often are you able to make that a reality? 

Very, although it doesn't happen as often as we'd like. We try to make it a reality monthly for each child. Sometimes it's a simple walk through the neighborhood, snuggle on the couch, or an errand. The quality of the time is the most important, not the quantity. The children remember that simple snuggle on the couch, not that it only lasted 10 minutes.

How do you find time for yourself? Time for your partner?

Exercise. I run alone or with our family pet. My husband and I attend an exercise group together. We take the children with us, but we're still together. We try to sneak a lunch date or later evening date outside the house without children once per month. It's tricky to plan, but worth it!

What household chore do you dread the most? 

Folding laundry...there's so much laundry!

If you had to describe your family using 1 word, what would it be?

Loud (general consensus among all 7 of us).

What's the most challenging thing about adding a new baby to the family? 

Balance. In the beginning, it's difficult to balance everything. My best advice is to do your best to love your children. The dishes and laundry can wait.

What food item are you constantly running out of? 

Milk, juice, bread

Finish this sentence: If you can manage _____ (#) kids, you can manage _____ kids. 

2, 20

My kids always argue over _______. 

EVERYTHING, most often over what to watch on TV

On a typical school/work/busy day, it takes me ______ (minutes, hours, years) to get my kids ready for the day. 

30 minutes with a whole lot of prep the night before and repeating the same thing 1,000 times

When my kids ______ it makes me so happy! 

Are sleeping

At the end of the day, I usually feel _______. 

Exhausted and confident in my abilities as a parent.

Read about Gretchen's family here.
Read about Lucy's family here.