A mum of six has shared how she copes with her gigantic family, trying different methods to make her life less chaotic. She has revealed she wears earplugs to 'drown out' her children, and she will only allocate them a single cup and bowl each to cut down on the washing up she has to do.
The 36-year-old, Sharon Johnson, has children, Lusilia, 12, Sophia, 10, Pratt, nine, Coop, seven, Philp, six, and Nadine, three. To cope with the kids, she limits their screen time to just one hour a week, and gives each child a chore that they have to do for an entire year - rather than trying to enforce a rota system for the six kids.
To make mealtimes easier, the family also have a weekly rotating dinner schedule which stays the same, and family members are able to choose a meal. When it comes to the end of the night, Sharon admits that she wears earplugs to get some peace and quiet before she falls asleep.
Sharon, a stay-at-home mum, from Brigham, Utah, US, said: "We unexpectedly became a big family so it has been an adjustment.
"We're finally getting there and doing some of these things helps me with my mental load. My sister suggested the yearly chore assignment and I thought she was crazy but actually, it's great.
"The earplugs are great to reduce the loud noises in the evening. I can still hear them but it's not too loud that it breaks my brain.
"They each have their own cup, water bottle, and robe and they just have one each. It helps us keep on top of washing and stops squabbling over who gets what mug. I keep eight plates so we have to wash them throughout the day."
The mum also explained that each of their children participate in one musical instrument and one sport each to make it 'fair and financially viable'.
Sharon explained what her children do to help, explaining: "Nadine is a bit too young for a task so I help her make her bed.
"My eldest Lusilia cleans the TV room and unloads the dishwasher. Sophia cleans up the outside areas and cleans the downstairs bathroom.
"Pratt does the upstairs bathroom and living room. Coop takes out the bins every day and cleans the hallway. Philip feeds the cat and picks up anything left in the entryway.
"The chores are suited to their ages."
She also told how her weekly rotating dinner schedule works, saying the children pick a meal and they keep it the same each week until they get bored and want to change it.
Sharon said: "It doesn't always go to plan and I'll end up sticking in some chicken nuggets but it normally helps with my mental load and I don't have to plan meals each week.
"The kids help out in the kitchen with their chosen meal rather than all of them every night so it doesn't get overcrowded."
Explaining her choice to limit screen time, she said: "I limit screen time to half an hour twice a week but sometimes I'm flexible with it.
"As a family of eight we have to make stricter rules.
"Everyone knows the expectations this way."
What rules do you have in your family? Let us know in the comments.
