Mother-of-six and blogger Constance Hall has shared the unusual labour-saving methods she uses in raising her kids – including only bathing them every other day and letting them eat with their hands.
The Perth-based ‘lazy’ mum said she probably ‘did more parenting’ when she had two children than she does now she has six – and she has a few shortcuts for ‘surviving’ in a big family.
‘Feast with your hands. Dishes are the worst part of dinner,’ Constance told Mamamia.
Instead of dirtying multiple plates, Constance said she favours putting a ‘huge pile of vegetables’ on one plate and sliced meat on the other and letting her kids then help themselves to whatever they want.
Mother-of-six Constance Hall (pictured) shared the unusual parenting rules she swears by – including bathing her children every other day and letting them eat with their hands
The Perth-based mum (pictured with some of her kids) said she probably ‘did more parenting’ when she had two children than she does now she has six
It’s not just mealtimes where Constance has a few shortcuts in place.
She also bathes her kids every other night, and lets them go to school the next morning without having washed.
‘I personally cant be f**ked bathing everyone every night,’ Constance said.
She cited the American Academy of Dermatology, which she claims said that children between the ages of six and 11 only need to bathe once or twice a week unless they are ‘dirty, sweaty or have a skin condition’.
‘I know it makes them look more loveable when they are all clean and smell fresh, but really, skipping a night bath or morning shower a couple of times a week won’t kill them,’ Constance said.
‘Feast with your hands. Dishes are the worst part of dinner,’ Constance (pictured with her partner Denim) said
It’s not just mealtimes; Constance also skips baths or showers every night, and lets them go to school the next morning as they are (pictured: two of her kids)
When it comes to clothes and the children’s washing, Constance said one particular approach has completely streamlined her routine.
She revealed she has bought several different-coloured buckets, labelled them for each of her children and now, she just throws each of her children’s clothes into the bucket.
‘If they want it folded, they can do it themselves,’ she said.
She then just puts underwear and socks in one giant bucket, and if someone wants a pair, they have to go and find them themselves.
Constance (pictured with Denim) revealed she has bought several different-coloured buckets, labelled them for each of her children and now, she just throws each of her children’s clothes into the bucket
Many parents value their own time in the evenings once the kids have gone to bed, and Constance is no exception.
She said she ‘checks out’ at 7.30pm.
‘Anything you need that’s not an emergency after that it up to you to do. I’m not your mum; I’m not here. I’m not your slave, I’m just a statue of a woman who an hour ago wiped your bum and is now drinking wine chatting on the phone to her sister,’ she said.
The mum-of-six adopts similar rules in the car when she is driving.
Lastly, Constance said she gets by blocking out what noise she can from her children as much as possible (four of her kids pictured)
Lastly, Constance said she gets by blocking out what noise she can from her children as much as possible.
She said she’s become so good at it, that once ‘someone had to walk the whole three metres towards me to let me know that my son was crying – screaming in fact’.
Constance’s (pictured) words resonated with her followers on Facebook, many of whom said they do similar with their large broods
Constance’s words resonated with her followers on Facebook, many of whom said they do similar with their large broods.
‘I had six kids. Friday night was always sugar cereal for dinner night. They loved it because Weetbix was the standard brekky at ours. They got to choose their own sugar filled cereal and it was cheaper than takeaway,’ one mother wrote.
‘I wish I had you around when my kids were young. Yes yes yes to all your advice,’ another said.