Looking after kids can be a challenge. But when you鈥檝e got triplets and an older child, it can require superhuman levels of parenting.
Meet Katie, mum of 19-month-old triplets Tommy, Joshua, Eddie and their six -year-old brother Jacob.
Katie went from being a mum of one to a mum of four last year and has had plenty on her plate since then. So, what does a day look like when you have triplets and an older child?
Wakeup: 7.30am
The triplets wake up around half seven.
My partner Rob and I bring them into our bedroom, change their nappies and give them a warm bottle of milk. Usually, all the chatting and noise will also wake up our eldest Jacob, so he鈥檒l be up around the same time.
We ferry them downstairs, then Rob or I put some coffee on. I鈥檒l make porridge, and while that鈥檚 cooling, they鈥檒l be playing in their playpen quite happily.
Breakfast: 8.30am
I put them in high chairs ready for breakfast.
We鈥檝e tried all sorts of cutlery for the triplets, and I鈥檝e found that they either snatch it off each other or throw it on the floor. I鈥檝e also tried those sticky plates, which they seem to see as a challenge. I don鈥檛 worry about that anymore; I tell myself there鈥檚 no point stressing over the little things.
They鈥檙e not going to get to the age of five and not know how to use a knife and fork!
I wipe down their faces and put them down to play for a bit more, while I do a bit of cleaning. They鈥檙e very good at entertaining themselves, and they love playing together.
Although they have just started stealing things from each other, which I鈥檓 not too happy about!
Snack/Nap: 11am
Around 11am I鈥檒l make them a snack: jam on toast, some cut-up fruit, or a biscuit with some milk. I wipe down hands and faces, change nappies again and put them in their sleeping bags.
Ideally, they鈥檒l be in bed by 11.45 and asleep by midday.
I try to fit in a workout before Rob gets in for lunch. He comes home around 1, and we鈥檒l eat together.
Lunch: 2pm
I wake them up at 2 o鈥檆lock. Sometimes they could probably sleep longer, but I feel that 2 hours is probably enough for them.
In the past, I鈥檝e made the mistake of bringing them down before lunch is ready, but now I get lunch cooked and cooling before they鈥檙e up.
I鈥檓 not saying this is how everyone should do things, it鈥檚 just that for me being organised at home has really helped.
Having triplets is definitely not a typical family situation!
Day trip: 3pm
If the weather鈥檚 good, I try to take them out of the house. But, with so many of them, it can be a challenge.
If it鈥檚 nice out, we might go to the park together and if Jacob鈥檚 home, he plays with the triplets on the floor. He鈥檚 really good with the boys, and they have a lot of fun together.
I took them to a play centre for the first time recently. I made sure their bag was packed the night before.
We had breakfast and got out of the house nice and early. They were all loving it and having a great time, but then I realised that we needed to do a nappy change.
I suddenly thought: how am I going to leave three kids on their own while I change a nappy?
Luckily there was a lovely mum at the play centre who offered to watch them for me.
Dinner: 5.30pm
Rob will come home from work around 5. We give them some tea.
It could be anything really, a bit of peanut butter on toast, yoghurt or some fruit to fill their tummies before bed.
We鈥檒l start getting ready for bed then. I don鈥檛 do a daily bath as it鈥檚 a mission, and if I do, I use the sink as it鈥檚 easier.
I need to find systems that work for me as it鈥檚 not a typical family setting.
Bedtime: 6.15pm
Rob will spend some time with the boys before bed. We put them in PJs, brush their teeth, and sit them on the sofa. Jacob loves to show them his books. We get them in their sleeping bags, take them upstairs, put on a lullaby and a nightlight and come downstairs.
Usually, it takes them around 15 minutes to fall asleep. Sometimes they jump in each other鈥檚 cots, but most of the time they鈥檙e well-behaved.
Jacob goes to bed at half seven, and a bit later on the weekends.
I usually get on with tidying up, wiping down highchairs and running a vacuum around, while Rob and Jacob get a bit of time together and play with train tracks or Lego.
Jacob usually has a drink of milk and a biscuit, and then he鈥檚 off to bed.
Katie's tips and tricks for other parents
1. Ask for support when you鈥檙e out of the house
I went to a garden party with the boys got to a point where I was feeling a bit overwhelmed. I was chasing one of the boys around and I just turned to everyone and said: 鈥淚f anyone could just help out by grabbing a baby, that would be amazing.鈥 As soon as I said it, everyone rallied around to help.
Everyone told me to take a minute to myself. I even got to have a drink and a sit-down. My advice to other parents (and to myself) is to ask people for help when you need it.
2. Don鈥檛 compare yourself to other parents
I sometimes feel a lot of pressure when I see all these Instagram mums. It鈥檚 so easy to fall into a black hole of self-doubt. I have days where my cheeks are wet with tears, and I鈥檓 wondering if I鈥檝e done enough for the boys today.
Whenever I tell Rob, he always says: 鈥淜atie, you鈥檙e like Superwoman. Even when you think your best isn鈥檛 good enough, your best is better than you could ever imagine.鈥
I just try to remember that even when I have difficult days, I am doing my best and the boys feel loved.
3. Date nights
Rob and I try to make time for date night. We鈥檒l put the kids to bed, and then I鈥檒l put some makeup on and do my hair.
We鈥檒l share some wine and put a film on.
Our relationship is like an umbrella that protects our family. It鈥檚 so important to make time for the people around you.
