I’m a mum-of-six and have very strict rules to keep my kids in line – they may sound crazy but I don’t care
JUGGLING six children is no mean feat - but for Sharon Johnson, the secret to staying sane is strict rules - and earplugs.
The 36-year-old admits has mastered ways to make life less chaotic with children Lusilia, 12, Sophia, 10, Pratt, nine, Coop, seven, Philp, six, and Nadine, three.
And while they may sound unconventional, she insists it helps her keep her house in order - and cuts down on squabbling.
The family has a weekly rotating dinner schedule, meaning they choose a meal and stick to it all week.
Each child is allocated one single cup and bowl each, which helps cut down on cupboard space and washing up - as they’re expected to clean it themselves.
They also have one colour-coded dressing gown each, to keep laundry to a minimum.
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Stay-at-home mum Sharon limits screen time to just one hour a week, and gives each child a chore they have to do for an entire year.
And when things get too rowdy, she drowns out her kids by popping in her trusty earbuds, giving her some much-needed peace and quiet before bedtime.
Sharon, from Utah, says: “We unexpectedly became a big family so it has been an adjustment.
“We’re finally getting there and doing some of these things helps me with my mental load.
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“My sister suggested the yearly chore assignment and I thought she was crazy but actually it’s great.
“The ear plugs are great to reduce the loud noises in the evening. I can still hear them but it’s not too loud that it breaks my brain.”
Sharon, who lives with her husband Kerry, 36, and their six kids, says assigning each child their own cup, water bottle and robe stops squabbling and enables her to keep on top of cleaning.
She explains: “I keep eight plates so we have to wash them throughout the day.
“We let each kid do one musical instrument and one sporty extracurricular activity to make it fair and financially viable.”
Children's chores
Sharon also sets each kid a chore for the year, instead of switching them up week on week.
“My sister suggested it - at first I thought she was crazy, but it helps me keep on top of what each of my children are doing,” she says.
“The chores are suited to their ages. Nadine is a bit too young for a task so I help her make her bed.
“My eldest Lusilia cleans the TV room and unloads the dishwasher.
“Sophia cleans up the outside areas and cleans the downstairs bathroom. Pratt does the upstairs bathroom and living room.
“Coop takes out the bins everyday and cleans the hallway. Philip feeds the cat and picks up anything left in the entrance hall.”
Sensory overload
Sharon also swears by a weekly rotating dinner schedule.
She says: “Each of the kids have picked out a meal for the week and we keep it the same until they get bored and want to change it.
“Then we’ll just replace that one meal. It doesn’t always go to plan, and I’ll end up sticking in some chicken nuggets, but it normally helps with my mental load and I don’t have to plan meals each week.
“The kids help out in the kitchen with their chosen meal, rather than all of them every night, so it doesn’t get overcrowded.”
Sharon says the noise her children make in the evenings can be “sensory overload”.
“The ear plugs reduce it just enough that I can still hear them but just not as loudly,” she says.
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“I limit screen time to half an hour twice a week but sometimes I’m flexible with it.
“As a family of eight we have to make stricter rules. Everyone knows the expectations this way.”
