I’m a mum-of-11 & here’s what happens during ‘chaos hour’ – & people are stunned when they find out what time I wake up
A MOTHER has left people open-mouthed after she shared the reality of getting her 11 children ready for school.
Alicia Dougherty, a mum-of-11, revealed that things can get a little crazy the hour before her kids go to school, hence she calls it ‘chaos hour’.
During this time, Alicia gets their lunch boxes, backpacks and shoes out, and also sorts out the children’s medicines, hair and inhalers.
Posting online under the username Dougherty Dozen, Alicia, who is from the US, and is based in New York, shared her clip with the caption ‘I call this “Chaos Hour”.’
Alicia, who wakes up at 4am to ensure that everything is in order for her children before they head off to school, then said: “Here’s what I do as a mum to 11 kids the hour before school starts.
“I set out their vitamins, medicines, deodorant, and powder. I toothpaste their toothbrushes.
“I set out lunch boxes and water for the older six, and then I go into the garage to their lockers to get backpacks and shoes for the youngest five.”
Alicia then explained that she lines up the kids’ backpacks and shoes in age order, along with their shoes, and then fills up their water bottles with ice and water.
Following this, the busy mum, who previously left people stunned at how she makes packed lunches for her 11 kids, added: “Then back into the garage to pack snacks for the youngest five, and make sure each of their backpack has their snack, lunch box, folder, agenda, library books and water bottle.
“Then it’s time for inhalers, lotions, hair care, and teeth brushing.”
Alicia revealed that once everyone is “looking fabulous” they put their shoes and backpack on, give Alicia a kiss, and “out the door they go.”
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @doughertydozen, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly gone viral and has since amassed a jaw-dropping 274,000 likes.
Social media users were gobsmacked at Alicia’s morning routine and many took to the comments to express this.
Not only did many describe her as a “hero”, but others said she deserves to win “mum of the year” too.
Mum of the year right here!
TikTok user
One person said: “This is extremely impressive.”
Another added: “Super busy hour!! You rock.”
The world's biggest families
Yalancia and Michael might have 10 kids, but there are parents with even more. Here are some of the biggest, monogamous, families in the world:
The Vassilyev family
This family currently holds the record for the most children a couple has parented, after the matriarch gave birth to 69 children, including 16 pairs of twins and seven sets of triplets.
Mrs. Vassilyev has given birth to a total of 69 children, including 16 pairs of twins and 7 sets of triplets. 67 of the 69 children survived infancy.
The Radfords
Sue and Noel are parents to 22 children, and their hectic family life is documented in reality show 22 Kids and Counting.
The pair have remained adamant that they won’t be having any more kids, but the amount of grandchildren they have is ever expanding, with daughters Sophie and Millie both mums of three.
The Duggars
Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar have 19 children – 10 sons and nine daughters.
All of their children’s names begin with the letter J.
They also had their own reality show in the United States, and became household names because of it.
The Bates family
Kelly also has 19 children, with her husband Gil Bates.
Of 19 deliveries, 14 of them were natural.
The couple also have 28 grandchildren, with four more on the way.
The Dougherty Dozen
Mum Alicia frequently shares videos and pictures of her family.
She and husband Josh have four biological children together, as well as adopting or fostering the rest of their brood.
The Rosario family
Yalancia and husband Michael are parents of 11.
They had their first daughter together earlier this year, and are also parents to Jamel, 15, Michael Jr, 11, Angelo, 10, Gimani, seven, Armani, six, Sincere, three and Khaza, two.
Their fourth son, also named Armani, was stillborn.
A third commented: “Mum of the year right here!”
At the same time, one mother revealed: “You’re my new hero, I struggle with two.”
Meanwhile, someone else penned: “Wow!!! I hope you’re able to take some time to yourself too!”
Fabulous will pay for your exclusive stories. Just email: fabulousdigital@the-sun.co.uk and pop EXCLUSIVE in the subject line.