REAL LIFE: How this Aussie mum of 16 manages school mornings
School mornings are crazy enough with one or two kids, imagine what it’s like in the house of Australia’s largest family, with nine sons and seven daughters!
By Jeni Bonell
In our bustling Bonell household, school mornings are a whirlwind of activity, filled with challenges, laughter, and plenty of love. As a mum of 16 (Jesse, Brooke, Claire, Natalie, Karl, Samuel, Cameron, Sabrina, Tim, Brandon, Eve, Nate, Rachel, Eric, Damian and Katelyn!), navigating the morning routine requires careful planning, flexibility, and a healthy dose of humour.
With 16 kids x 13 years of schooling x 200 days a school year (that’s 41,600 school days!). Here’s a realistic glimpse into our mornings and how we tackle the chaos with grace.
Mum of 16, Jeni Bonell’s tips for managing school mornings
Have a visual reminder: We have a morning routine chart with roles and responsibilities. This visual reminder is really helpful with school age children as it helps them go on autopilot and streamlines the morning.
Teamwork makes the dream work: Managing a household of this size requires teamwork. Like a lot of mothers it took me time to realise, I can’t do it all. I’m only one person, so everyone has to play a role. I learnt that I needed to empower my children instead of trying to do everything for them. For example, I have no problem washing their uniforms, but it’s their responsibility to let me know when they need it. Older children help younger siblings with tasks like dressing and packing bags, empowering the kids with a sense of responsibility and independence.
Have a secret stash: I do a freezer stocktake which I have listed with all the make-ahead meals and lunchbox items on it. We use the Ninja XXXL FlexDrawer Air Fryer, because of its 10.4L capacity. It’s the only one big enough for us. We love using its MegaDrawer to make pizza bites and loaded egg cups because it’s quick to cook and easy to clean.
Letting go of perfection: In the early days of motherhood, I often strived for perfection, aiming to have everything under control at all times. However, as our family grew, I quickly realised that perfection was an unrealistic goal. Would you believe, I actually once left one of the children behind at home on the school run, a memorable mishap. I’ve learnt to let go of the need for everything to be perfect and focus on what truly matters: spending quality time with my family.
Prioritising self-care: Amid the hustle and bustle of school mornings, it’s essential to carve out time for self-care. Whether it’s enjoying a quiet cup of coffee before the chaos begins or sneaking in a quick workout, prioritising self-care helps me recharge and tackle the day with renewed energy. Would you believe I actually find shooting and editing my YouTube videos to be a form of self care?
Jeni’s tips for managing school mornings:
- Establish a morning routine: A consistent routine helps set the tone for the day and ensures everyone knows what’s expected of them.
- Prepare the night before: Lay out clothes, pack lunch boxes, and gather school supplies to minimise morning stress.
- Delegate tasks: Assign age-appropriate chores to children to teach responsibility and lighten the load.
- Stay organised: Use lists and calendars to stay on top of appointments, activities, and deadlines.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff: Learn to prioritise and let go of perfectionism to reduce stress and enjoy the journey.
- Cook an easy filling healthy breakfast: A well-fed family is a happy family. We love mixing extra banana into a pancake shaker mix, plus milk to make 3 ingredient airfryer pancakes in our Ninja.
