After over six years and four pregnancies, I’ve experienced significant growth in various aspects of my life:
- Physically: I’ve fluctuated by a total of 140 pounds—about 35 pounds per pregnancy—thanks to some cravings for chocolate and nachos that just couldn’t be ignored.
- Cool Factor: I completely abandoned any last vestige of coolness when I purchased a minivan, despite my determination to never drive one because, let’s face it, only nerds do that.
- Fashion Control: Coordinated outfits for my kids? Forget it! Who has that kind of time?
- Improvisation Skills: I’ve become adept at handling what used to seem impossible—like managing broken bones (we’ve had three) or dealing with the inevitable colds that come with newborns. Life goes on, right?
So, here’s what you might expect if you’re contemplating having four kids:
- Public Reactions: When I take my crew out, it’s like I’m a circus act. Just the other day at a doctor’s appointment, four strangers asked if all four kids were mine. One lady even stopped her car just to inquire! Here’s a taste of the kind of things I hear regularly: “Wow, that’s a lot of kids!” “Are they all yours?” “You’ve got your hands full!” “Did you plan this?” “Better you than me!”
- Memory Mayhem: Living with four kids is like being in a real-life version of Memento. I’m the Steph Curry of forgetfulness, juggling about 462 open tabs in my brain at any moment. Did I pay the phone bill? Is it Wednesday? When did I last nurse the baby? Meanwhile, my four children are vying for my attention like spam pop-ups. So, some things just slip through the cracks—like remembering to text people back or getting the dry cleaning done.
- Morning Madness: Getting out of the house each morning is akin to surviving a game of ‘Jumanji.’ Recently, my partner, Mike, had to handle the kids solo for the first time during the morning rush. He emerged wide-eyed, saying, “Yeah, that was wild.” Picture it: a baby crying, a toddler sitting on her, and the oldest one’s hair still a tangled mess. Meanwhile, my five-year-old can’t grasp the concept of putting shoes on his own feet, no matter how many times I explain it—“Put them on now, before my head explodes!”
- Nail Clipping Marathon: After tending to my own nails and then moving on to my kids’, by the end, I’ve clipped a whopping 100 nails. (Which, by the way, could serve as a great name for the band I plan to start with my kids once we master the art of putting on shoes.)
- Privacy? What’s That?: Any hope of having a moment alone is long gone. The other morning, I took a mere three minutes to shower, only to be interrupted by a little one asking, “Are you done yet? I have a trick to show you!” That “trick” turned out to be a blanket on the floor that he jumped over.
- Cooking for Critiques: Cooking for four picky eaters means that a universally loved meal is practically impossible to achieve. I’m working on training my kids to appreciate my culinary efforts. I’ve instituted a new rule: when I announce dinner, they should either respond with, “Yay! Thanks, Mom!” or simply “Okay!” Any other comments are to be kept to themselves.
- Bath Time is a Luxury: I’ve heard moms of four say they sometimes space out baths by several days. If I knew a hypothetical mom like that, I’d commend her for her parenting choices—sometimes sanity takes precedence over cleanliness!
- Love Multiplies: Despite the chaos, unsolicited comments from strangers, and the daily whirlwind of activities, every time I welcome another baby into our family, I’m amazed at how my capacity for love expands. As I unwind at night, sipping wine and binge-watching Netflix with Mike, I reflect on our lives and feel grateful for these little cherubs entrusted to us. I wouldn’t change a thing—unless it involved having a live-in chef and maid, of course!
For more insights on parenting and home insemination, check out our other blog posts here: Intracervical Insemination, and for fertility tips, Make a Mom is a fantastic resource. You can also explore CCRM IVF for more pregnancy-related information.
Summary
Raising four children is a wild adventure filled with unique challenges and joyful moments. From chaotic outings to managing picky eaters and embracing the occasional lack of personal space, the journey may be hectic, but the love that grows with each child is immeasurable. Reflecting on these experiences can reveal the beauty and fulfillment that comes with parenting.