While getting one child ready for bed might seem like a monumental task for some parents, Chloe Dunstan has become an expert at putting down nine.
Playing drill sergeant to her nine children, the Australian mother starts her evening ritual at 4:30, minimizing nighttime chaos and maximizing quiet time with her husband, Rohan.
But recently, the couple got creative with that downtime and made something that the family is buzzing over! Keep reading to find out more about the family and why they’re so excited!
Over the past almost decade, Chloe and Rohan Dunstan have tripled the number of children in their home.
By the time the Australian woman was 22, she already had six children; Evan (who is now 11); 10-year-old Otto; Felix, nine; and eight-year-old triplets Rufus, Henry (Hank), and Pearl. Then, along came three-year-old twins Sylvie and Cosmo, and little Birdie, who turns two in March.
The 30-year-old mom, who conceived all her kids naturally, admits that having so many children can be hectic, but still considers her family a blessing.
“Although it is not always easy, I feel like the luckiest person in the world to have six happy and healthy kids.” She continues, “Being so close in age means they understand each other a lot and have so much fun together.”
The busy parents quickly learned to adjust to life as a family of 11, which meant establishing a strict schedule and being well organized.
With such a big family it’s no surprise the children’s bedtime routine starts early.
Documenting the family’s life on her YouTube channel, Life with Beans, Chloe shares special moments like birthdays, schooling, feeding time and the family’s daily programs.
In one video, fans see their evening ritual that starts at 4:30 p.m. with Chloe prepping a nutritious but simple dinner and the older kids tidying the playroom while the tiny tots nap.
“The babies nap in their rockers, while the others do some tidying up, At the same time, I’ll cook the dinner for the kids,” Chloe says in the video, which also provides entertainment with the kids’ “random dance party.”
By 6 p.m., the kids are seated at the table for dinner and sometimes, her and Rohan – who both run an online toy business from home – will join, or if they’re too busy, she says they’ll eat once the kids are down for the night.
Following their evening meal, the kids take turns having baths and while the busy mom is bathing the little ones, the others slip into matching pyjamas.
Once their teeth and hair are all brushed, the little ones jump into a bed and Chloe selects one of the thousand books she’s collected, and reads them a bedtime story.
“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.” Chloe continues, “It’s definitely gotten easier over the years.”
The next morning, once the kids are washed and ready for the day, some leave for school and others staying at home for homeschooling.
She says, “Three kids in school, three kids in homeschool and the babies to look after are a lot on their own. But I love it. I love the juggle and the busyness of having lots of little ones.”
And baby makes 10
The household is about to get a lot busier.
In August 2023, Chloe announced she was pregnant with baby 10, a little girl (not expected to be a multiple birth) due in February 2024.
She writes on her Instagram, “I really am enjoying this pregnancy and soaking up every little baby kick, knowing it could be the last time I do this! Time is flying, we can’t wait to meet you, little one!”
How does she do it?
“It can be a lot with a career, home schooling and homework, but we manage it well together and doing all of this means we can maximize family time, which is really important to us,” she adds.
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