Hi, I’m Kristina, mom to four amazing (and very energetic!) kids: Ellie 1 years old, Millie 3 years old, Nate 4 years old, and Elaina 9 years old. Most days around here are a mix of healthy snacks, toddler tantrums, and coffee refills. Some days I nail the whole “healthy, crunchy mom” thing… and other days I’m in the Chick-Fil-A drive-thru ordering fries.
I thought it would be fun ( and maybe a little therapeutic) to share what a “day in the life” really looks like in my world. Spoiler: it’s not Pinterest perfect, but it’s ours, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Morning Madness
Mornings usually start before I’m ready, Millie coming down the stairs to let us know the sun is awake. Nate is saying his stomach hurts ( his way of saying he’s hungry). Ellie is calling Elaina to let her out of her room. I stumble out of bed into the kitchen to start breakfast. Sometimes it’s eggs, fruit and toast, other days it’s cereal.
Breakfast is a juggling act. Elaina can’t decide how she wants her hair today. at least one is crying because someone “looked at them”. Somewhere between pouring cereal, doing 3 girls hair, packing lunches and snacks and most importantly refereeing squabbles, we make it out the door. Winning.
Midday Hustle
After school drop off it’s just me and Ellie. This is Nate and Millies first year in school, Millie goes half day so we only have a few hours to get things done before we pick her up. Our first stop coffee, then home to get a few things done, picking up the chaos we left behind in the morning madness! a few loads of laundry and some quality time with my sweet girl. It reminds me of when it was just me and Elaina. Time really does go by so fast I blinked and my 4 lb baby is 9 years old. This has taught me to slow down and take in every moment I have with them.
At about 11 it’s time to get Millie girl. I love seeing her sweet smile when she comes out running to me. Then I hear the words… Can we get French Fries.. How can I say no to that sweet face, of course we get fries, she will eat a healthy dinner anyways. Balance right!
Afternoon Adventures
The afternoons fly by. School pickup, homework, and keeping everyone entertained without a screen marathon is the daily challenge. Most days are a free for all of toys, crumbs, and me counting the hours until bedtime. the screaming running around, someone is always fighting and crying. What makes it worth it is hearing them resolve things on their own. the little apologies that you didn’t ask them to make, or the sharing that you didn’t have to scream for them to do from downstairs.
I think the hardest part of afternoons is keeping their little hands out of the kitchen while I make dinner. Every time I turn around there’s a little one trying to sneak a snack. Anytime I leave the kitchen I hear the refrigerator or pantry door swing open and the little whispers of “hurry, mommy’s coming.”.
Evening Chaos
Dinner is where my two worlds collide: healthy mom and “let’s just survive” mom. I try to cook balanced meals with veggies, but some nights it’s pizza delivery and no one complains. ( Except me when I step on the Monster Truck they left on the floor.)
After dinner comes the marathon of baths, bedtime stories, and convincing the little ones the bedtime is in fact not optional. Spoiler: They are always so thirsty at bedtime.
Late Night Mom Time
Once the house is quiet (or at least mostly quiet) it’s my time. This is usually when I get a workout in, take a shower, make a sweet treat before going to bed to doom scroll or rewatch one of my comfort shows for the 100th time.
It’s not glamorous, but it’s mine.
Final Thoughts
Life with four kids is messy, noisy, and sometimes overwhelming. But it’s also full of giggles, cuddles, and little moments that remind me why I wouldn’t trade this chaos for anything.
So if your days fill like a mix of smoothies and chicken nuggets too, just know you are not alone. We’re all figuring it out as we go.
Thanks for spending the day with me and my crew. I’d love to hear from you:
What does “a day in your life” look like?
Share in the comments below!