Ah, you can probably hear us long before you see us. My partner, Alex, and I often find ourselves engaged in a silent game of charades—hand signals flying as we exchange gritted teeth glances at one of our kids: “This is the last time! At least, we hope!” Of course, it’s the umpteenth time we’ve said that.
We scramble to clean up just ten minutes before guests arrive, and as soon as they step through the door, our home quickly reverts back to its usual “lived-in” state.
When we finally make it to church (and if we’re lucky, we’re only a few minutes late), we’ve been dubbed the “entertainment” more than once. Yep, we are that family.
We seem to run our dryer more times than necessary, fluffing clothes that have been waiting to be folded for, wait… what day is it?
Grocery stores, amusement parks, and malls—everyone seems to have a love-hate relationship with us. Picture this: two shopping carts, a double stroller taking up way too much space, and kids zipping around in every direction they shouldn’t be.
It’s safe to say we haven’t had a good night’s sleep in what feels like seven years, and we’re probably looking at at least seven more. Our car is stuffed to the brim with bags, whether it’s for a day out or a weekend getaway. If something goes amiss, don’t worry: we’ve probably got an extra sock or a couple of shoes hiding in the nooks and crannies of our vehicle.
As our family keeps expanding, we find ourselves invited to fewer gatherings, as people’s patience for our delightful chaos is wearing thin. We stock up on enough food and essentials to sustain a small army, yet somehow, mere days after our shopping spree, we’re back at the store for more paper towels and wipes.
Meal times resemble a circus act, with someone always crying, screaming, or dancing in the middle of the kitchen. Honestly, it’s all or nothing in our house, 23 hours a day, 6 ½ days a week.
Picture me dashing around, nursing a baby in one arm while chasing two toddlers with my “free” hand, all while another child calls from somewhere else in the house. The dog is barking, someone’s knocking at the door, the phone is ringing, and the smoke alarm is blaring from my latest cooking endeavor. You might read about families like ours or see them in movies, but that’s us. We’re those people.
Our bed? It’s definitely too small for our whole family, since no one prefers sleeping in their own space. Snack time? It’s a constant affair, happening almost all day, every day. When we visit others, you’d think our kids hadn’t eaten in ages. With the little ones being six and under now, I can only imagine the feeding frenzy we’ll face when they’re teenagers.
I’m not ashamed to admit that I eagerly await pizza night every Friday or that I cherish our paper plates far more than any fancy dishware we own. We work hard and we play hard. We argue fiercely, but our love is even stronger.
Yes, we are that family—the wonderfully chaotic one I’ve dreamed about for most of my life. In all honesty, I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. We may be a bit crazy, having lost our minds long ago, but we’re also deliriously exhausted and in love—deeply in love with the delightful chaos that is our family.
So, the next time you feel the infamous eye roll or hear whispers loud enough for you to catch them, remember: if you think your family has gone off the deep end, you might just be doing something right.
For more insights on navigating parenting, check out our detailed guide on how to manage a toddler grocery shopping while also exploring helpful resources for pregnancy at Healthline and fertility options with this specialized kit.
In summary, being part of a lively family brings joy, chaos, and a love that can’t be matched. We may be those people, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Keyphrase: Proud to be that family
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