AS we’re sure all mums will agree, life with a toddler is nothing if not chaotic.
But what about when you have EIGHT children under the age of 12? Well, as mummy blogger Kim Tucci will tell you – it’s absolutely non-stop.
7
Four years ago, the Australian mum – who had only three children at the time – and her husband Vaughn thought they’d try for one more to complete the family.
Kim already had son Kurt, 12, from a previous marriage, and daughters Ava, eight, and Indiana, six, with her husband before they conceived the five babies naturally.
However, the mum then went on to give birth to Australian’s first ever naturally conceived quintuplets – despite the one in 55 MILLION odds.
In an interview with Femail, the 30-year-old mum-of-eight opened up about her “chaotic” life – which has became even trickier when her five four-year-olds started potty training.
7
7
Describing everyday as a “marathon”, the mum – who writes the blog Surprised by Five – revealed that the family went through “30 pairs of undies a day” last year.
She explained: “You should keep nappies everywhere – including the car and the garage.
“There are times when I haven’t had enough on me and there has been a poo explosion.”
And when she was trying to get the youngest five to start using the toilet, Kim learnt the hard way that the toilet brush is a distraction for many kids.
7
7
Recommending that parents remove it BEFORE they start the process, the mum added: “They’ll all just be playing with it and trying to put it in their mouths without realising it’s not to be eaten.” *shivers*
Last summer, Kim revealed she rewarded her quintuplets for a good week of potty training with a McDonalds – but even that can cost £50 for a family-of-10.
Living in Australia, Kim and Vaughn often take their eight children to beach – which makes for a VERY sandy car on the way home.
However, the mum reveals that she puts talcum powder on her children’s feet before they get in the car so they don’t carry any sand around with them. Genius.
With eight kids to watch over at dinner time, spillages are bound to happen – and Kim has learnt that soaking any berry-stained clothing for hours in boiling water is the best way to get clothes clean again.
7
7
Naturally, Kim and Vaughn also have to be extremely organised when it comes to their weekly food shop too.
As a family-of-10, Kim revealed the couple spent £170 on their food shop every week – which includes up to 70 pieces of fruit, 20 litres of milk and a giant block of cheese.
Although none of her children are particularly fussy eaters, Kim still whizzes up any leftover veg, sweet potato or pumpkin she has in the fridge and turns it into a pasta sauce for her little ones to have with spaghetti.
She added: “I turn that into a pasta sauce and add some meat sometimes and they have no idea they’re getting so much veg.”
Where to follow Kim on Facebook and Instagram.
Vote for your Fabulous Mum of the Year and WIN
DO you know a mum who deserves some extra recognition?
Whether she’s overcome adversity, dedicates her life to help children in need, works long hours to support her family or is just an all-round supermum, we want to hear your stories.
Nominate her for our Fabulous Mum Of The Year Award and she could win an overnight stay for two at a Champneys spa of her choice complete with a Bronze treatment package, which includes a full-body exfoliation and cocoon wrap.
Two runners-up will take home goodie bags worth hundreds of pounds including an afternoon tea with bubbles thanks to Buyagift, plus all three will have a makeover and appear in a gorgeous Fabulous magazine shoot.
Meanwhile, you could win a Samsung TV worth £499 or fashion vouchers for £100 or £50 from Next, Marks & Spencer, F&F at Tesco and George at Asda simply for nominating her!
If you want to nominate a mum then fill in the form here.
To enter, upload a photograph of the mum you are nominating and explain why they deserve to win.
The deadline for entries is Sunday, February 23, and one winner and two runners-up will be announced on Sunday, March 22. Good luck – we can’t wait to hear from you!
In more parenting news, Poundland shoppers have been left stunned after realising their kids’ toy animals have willies.
And this “genius” mum has Photoshopped cockroaches onto a snap of her son after he refused to take a bath – and now he won’t stop washing.
Plus this mum praised a £7 eBay brush for stopping her daughter’s tantrums over tangles – and says it’s the best money she’s ever spent.
