3 tips for managing a large family

A large family is wonderful. More laughter, more great moments together — but also more work and more household chores. Some families with 2 children struggle to manage day-to-day life, while you sometimes see families with 4, 5, or even 6 or more children running like a well-oiled machine with a tidy home. The key word, as you've probably guessed, is… ORGANISATION! Yes, but what should you actually organise, and how?

Tip 1: Plan your meals

Drawing up plans isn't the most enjoyable activity — we'll give you that. But it's a genuine time-saver when it's Tuesday evening, everyone is clamouring for dinner, there's school the next day, and you clearly haven't finished your own working day as a parent! A meal planner will become your best friend. Planning your weekly meals saves time and can make a real difference to your grocery budget!

Tip 2: Plan ahead and organise your schedule

First of all, plan ahead. Leaving everything to the last minute can be exhausting — both physically and mentally — and you'll struggle to keep up that pace in the long run if you're constantly under pressure. Try to plan ahead for certain tasks, such as:

- Taking meat or whatever you need for the next meal out of the freezer in advance;
- Asking each child to get their things ready for the following day and checking on them;
- Setting the breakfast table the evening before to save time in the morning;
- And your schedule:

When you have a lot of children, you'll need to manage multiple schedules. Knowing what everyone needs to do is far less stressful. A wipe-clean magnetic timetable on the fridge is a great solution — everyone is sure to see it, and you can update it as often as you need to. Pin down the fixed appointments that recur throughout the year, such as sports activities, and plan your other commitments around those!

Tip 3: Take time for yourself!

Managing a large family and taking time for yourself are not mutually exclusive. We're not saying you'll manage a spa weekend every month or that you'll be out with friends every weekend — but do try to carve out some time for yourself, even if it's just popping out for a couple of hours, or spending an hour reading a good book while the older children look after the little ones, or a family member, neighbour, or trusted person lends a hand. Being fulfilled and feeling good in yourself will make you a more patient, less stressed parent, and that will have a positive knock-on effect on your whole family!