People sometimes ask what a normal day looks like in our house.
The truth is… there really isn’t a “normal.” With five kids, two parents, different personalities, different needs, and schedules that rarely line up perfectly, every day carries its own rhythm. But if you stepped into our home for 24 hours, this is what you’d probably see.
Morning Comes Early
Our day usually starts before the sun fully rises.
Someone is already awake — sometimes a child who thrives on routine, sometimes one of the twins ready to start the day far earlier than anyone hoped. Coffee gets started while the house slowly comes to life.
Mornings require structure here. For our autistic children, predictability helps the day begin calmly, so we follow familiar steps: breakfast, getting dressed, checking schedules, and gentle reminders about what comes next.
Meanwhile, backpacks are packed, shoes are searched for (because somehow they always disappear), and lunches come together while conversations overlap across the kitchen.
It’s busy — but it’s our kind of busy.
The Morning Rush
Once everyone is moving, the energy shifts quickly.
There are reminders about homework, hugs before heading out the door, and last-minute problem solving. One child may need extra reassurance before school, another is already focused on practice later that day, and the twins are usually creating their own little adventure somewhere nearby.
Getting everyone out the door feels like a small victory every single time.
Midday: Quiet That Isn’t Really Quiet
After school drop-offs, the house feels different.
There’s a temporary calm — the kind parents understand doesn’t last long. This is when errands happen, planning gets done, and sometimes chores around the house or animal care fill the hours.
It’s also a moment to reset before the afternoon begins again.
Because afternoons in a large family are never slow.
Afternoons on the Move
As kids come home, the noise returns instantly.
Backpacks drop. Stories from the day spill out all at once. Snacks disappear faster than expected.
Homework starts while practices and appointments wait on the calendar. One child prepares for track training, showing incredible dedication and focus. Others need help transitioning from school mode to home mode — something that takes patience and understanding.
Every child needs something different at the same time, and somehow we learn to juggle it.
Dinner Time: Organized Chaos
Dinner is less about perfection and more about togetherness.
Some nights are homemade meals around the table. Other nights are quick and simple because the day ran long. Conversations bounce from silly twin stories to serious discussions about goals, struggles, and plans for tomorrow.
It’s loud. Sometimes messy. Always full.
And these moments remind us why the busy days matter.
Evening Wind Down
Evenings bring a slower pace — at least we try.
Showers, bedtime routines, and quiet time help everyone settle. Structure matters here again, especially for children who need predictable endings to their day.
Some nights end with stories. Some end with exhausted parents sitting quietly after the house finally sleeps.
We look around at the toys, the shoes, the evidence of a full day and realize something important:
The chaos means life is happening.
What a Full Day Really Means
Raising five kids isn’t easy. There are hard moments, overwhelming moments, and days where everything feels like too much.
But there are also hugs out of nowhere, laughter echoing through the house, proud milestones, and small victories that mean everything.
Our days aren’t perfect.
They’re full.
And at the end of each one, we wouldn’t trade this beautifully busy life for anything.