This Is What “Balance” Looks Like For A Mom Of 3 Big Kids *And* A Newborn

Tiffany Davidson wants you to know that, first and foremost, she doesn't buy into the idea of picture-perfect parenting. "I just do the best I can without trying to stress myself out," she says as we chat about what life looks like as a mom of three boys under the age of 7, plus a 6-month-old baby girl.

Her perspective is refreshingly real. In the age of social media oversharing and Instagram highlight reels, it can be easy to think there's a certain standard to meet when it comes to raising your kids. But IRL, we're the only ones who know what works best for ourselves and our families. Tiffany recalls growing into this confidence around the time her oldest son, Jaiden, was in early toddlerhood.

"I’m a clean freak, and he was into everything and pulling everything down ... That’s definitely when I realized OK, things are different now," she says, laughing as she remembers the moment clearly. "I realized I can’t cook dinner and try to clean at the same time. I have to pick one or the other. The toys on the ground aren’t going to ruin anything — he’s having a good time, and dinner’s getting made. It's fine."

Now that there are three more kids in the mix (sons Chance and Carter, and daughter Nova), Tiffany's idea of a balanced life has shifted beyond keeping her home clean. "I know there are moms who can cook meals every single day with four kids, and that’s not what I can do because of my schedule," she says. "I meal prep as many nights as I can, but other times I will give the kids something like Lunchables Natural Turkey & Cheddar for lunch or an afternoon snack," which Tiffany notes is a favorite for both her boys and for her, since the meat and cheese are minimally processed and are made with no artificial ingredients.

When it comes to balancing one-on-one time with each of her kids, Tiffany takes a scheduled approach: She plans mommy-and-kid dates with each of her kids once a month, while also sneaking in plenty of less structured one-on-one time with them throughout the day via conversations, reading, or playing soccer or basketball in the family's yard.

Spending time all together may seem like a challenge, considering the kids' age range, but her solution is brilliantly simple: "My husband and I get all the kids together and go for walks around our neighborhood. The boys will be on their bikes and scooters while the baby naps in her stroller." Not only are these walks a great way to spend time together as a family of six, but they're also a solution for keeping her kids active and healthy — a true win-win for everyone.

To learn more about Tiffany and her family, watch our video below!

This post is sponsored by Lunchables.