27-Year-Old Mom of 8 Kids Shares Their Bedtime Routine – Starting at 4:30 PM
Putting children to bed is no easy feat and might even turn out to be a parent's worst nightmare. Imagine a mother of eight trying to get all her kids to bed at the same time. It sounds crazy, right? Keep reading to discover how things play out for this mom daily.
Anyone who thinks parenting is easy doesn't know what they're talking about. Parenthood is a rollercoaster ride filled with endless twists, turns, and unexpected detours. But the best part about being a parent is having adorable little angels to dote on every single day.
Despite the sleepless nights, tiring days, and wrecked schedules, having a house echoing with children's cackles and constant tantrums is like music to a parent's ears, and they wouldn't have it any other way. This Australian mother shares the same viewpoint. Let's delve deep into her exciting story.
Chloe Dunstan. | Source: YouTube.com/Life with Beans
THE DUNSTANS
Chloe and Rohan Dunstan are a lovely couple based in Perth, Australia. After tying the knot, they eagerly awaited the arrival of their little ones and wished to complete their family. By the time Chloe was 22, she already had three children, Evan, Otto, and Felix.
The Dunstans had barely adjusted to their role as parents to three kids when they welcomed triplets, Rufus, Henry, and Pearl. In a short time, the Australian couple became proud parents to six angels, and they couldn't have been happier.
GROWING THEIR FAMILY
In October 2020, Chloe and Rohan were blessed with twins Sylvie and Cosmo. The young couple said they quickly learned to acclimate to life as a family of ten, which meant being extremely organized and keeping things streamlined as much as possible.
The proud parents shared the delightful news with their social media family, where the little one was seen swaddled and surrounded by stuffed toys.
DOCUMENTING THEIR BEDTIME ROUTINE
In January 2021, the then-27-year-old Chloe, a stay-at-home mother, decided to document her busy home life on her YouTube channel. The young mom, who said she conceived all her kids naturally, shared her night-time routine in one of her videos.
Chloe revealed that her night-time preparation started at 4:30 p.m. While she got ready to cook dinner for everyone, her older kids often helped tidy the room, especially the playroom, by clearing the toys and other stuff scattered around.
Baby Sylvie and Baby Cosmo pictured taking a nap in their rockers. | Source: YouTube.com/Life with Beans
While the older children gathered their toys, her little ones enjoyed a peaceful nap. Chloe added:
"The babies have a nap in their rockers, while the others do some tidying up. At the same time, I'll cook the dinner for the kids."
PREPARING DINNER
Soon, the Australian mother went to her kitchen to prepare delicious pasta packed with healthy vegetables for the family. Chloe noted that she liked making pasta for dinner because it was an easy and quick meal to prepare for her enormous brood.
Pasta is served in bowls for each Dunstan kid. | Source: YouTube.com/Life with Beans
Meanwhile, she also checked on her kids and indulged in a random dance party with them. By 6 p.m., the nutritious pasta was ready, and the table was set for dinner to be served. Chloe mentioned that sometimes, she and Rohan dined with the kids, while at other times, they had dinner later.
The couple said they didn't have dinner until the kids were asleep on busier days. After finishing dinner, the children took turns to shower and brush their teeth. Chloe also brushed their hair one by one, after which the children put on their PJs.
The older Dunstan children dote on their baby siblings. | Source: YouTube.com/Life with Beans
IT'S STORY TIME
When the older lot was ready for bed, Chloe took some time to bathe and feed the little twins, Sylvie and Cosmo. After dressing them in PJs, the little ones spent some time with their elder siblings, who couldn't stop gushing and doting on them.
Once everything else was out of the way, the Dunstan kids awaited their favorite part of the day — listening to a bedtime story. Chloe shared that since becoming a mother, she had collected over a thousand books, which were perfectly arranged in color order on the shelf.
The mom-of-eight noted that the bedtime book changed regularly. On the evening she recorded the clip, it was "The Gingerbread Man," which also happened to be the kids' favorite.
Chloe Dunstan reads "The Gingerbread Man" to her kids. | Source: YouTube.com/Life with Beans
IT GETS EASIER WITH TIME
By 8 p.m., the children were tucked in bed and ready to go to sleep, after which Chloe and Ronan sat down and enjoyed some alone time. While handling the large brood and putting them to bed could be chaotic and a real struggle, Chloe admitted it became easier over the years. She said:
"It's definitely gotten easier over the years with the night-time routine as all bar the twins can now dress themselves. With the triplets there for a bit when they were young, it was a lot of work. But I think with big families you have to do whatever works for you."
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK
In an interview with FEMAIL, the Perth resident revealed that she homeschooled all her children. Chloe also shared that her brood enjoyed drawing, painting, science projects, playing, and spending time in nature.
While her children were engrossed in school work, Chloe and Ronan ran their successful online toy store business from home. The lovely couple expressed that their household success had one simple ingredient — teamwork.
THE BIRTHDAY GIRL
In February 2022, Chloe took to her Instagram and announced that she had turned 29. The Australian mother also shared another exciting news — she was a few days away from becoming a mom to her ninth child. The caption read:
"So, um.. if anybody has been thinking my absence meant a certain little somebody had joined us earthside, unfortunately that isn’t the case! I’m a few days away from my due date and even though the first 8 months of this pregnancy flew by, the past month has dragged."
WELCOMING ANOTHER LITTLE ANGEL
On March 16, the Dunstans welcomed another little princess into their hearts and home, Birdie Harriet. The proud parents shared the delightful news with their social media family, where the little one was seen swaddled and surrounded by stuffed toys. The caption said:
"We are so happy to announce that our sweet baby girl finally arrived earthside yesterday morning. Home now, relaxing with her 8 big siblings. Thank you for all your well wishes. We are so so so in love. On cloud nine."
The Dunstans continue to celebrate life with their nine lovely bundles of joy, and we wish this beautiful family all the love their hearts can take.
What are your thoughts on the Dunstan family's bedtime routine? Please share your valuable feedback with us in the comments about this lovely mom and her adorable brood.
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