For a mother of six in Nghe An, Tet is a whirlwind of busyness filled with laughter and unforgettable memories.

Managing six young children

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Tet in a family of six children is filled with humorous stories.

Nguyen Thi Tuyet (born in 1991, from Dien Chau, Nghe An, currently working in the beauty industry) got married in 2013. From 2014 to 2022, she gave birth to six children - three boys and three girls.

Speaking about her decision to have a large family, Tuyet said it was never impulsive.

“After getting married and living far from my hometown, I longed for the warmth of a big family gathering. I wanted a home always filled with laughter and lively noise. That’s why I chose to have many children,” she shared.

In recent years, her husband has often worked far from home, and the children have become her emotional anchor. Each Tet, when the family’s pillar is absent, the children’s cheerful laughter and boundless energy fill the gap, keeping the house warm and whole.

When Tet arrives, Tuyet puts work aside to devote all her time to her children. Still, it is the period when she struggles the most. With no domestic help, she single-handedly manages household chores while caring for six young kids.

The peak comes in the days leading up to Tet, when the children are on school break. As she cleans and prepares the house, Tuyet constantly runs back and forth, watching over them and acting as an “impartial judge” to settle their small but frequent disputes.

“A typical family with two or three children is already exhausted. With six, the pressure multiplies. My parents-in-law are not in good health and cannot help much, so most of the responsibility falls on me,” she admitted.

In return, she feels lighter at heart as her children grow more independent each year. The two eldest can sweep the floor, cook, wash dishes and look after their younger siblings. The younger ones show their love through warm hugs and sweet kisses.

“At those moments, all the fatigue disappears. Having many children is hard work, but it is also joyful and deeply fulfilling,” she added.

‘Laugh-and-cry’ moments during Tet

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The seven mother and children join hands to prepare a warm Tet.

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Mother and children gather to celebrate Tet with both paternal and maternal families.

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Tuyet and her children enjoy spring outings during Tet.
Photos: NVCC

Beyond the constant busyness, Tet in Tuyet’s large family is filled with awkward yet amusing situations. Strangely enough, what gives her the biggest headache is not finances but shopping for clothes and personal items for the children.

“Clothes, shoes, personal belongings - I have to buy everything for all six, and they need to be quite similar. If one child is left out or a color is slightly different, jealousy and quarrels are inevitable.

Sometimes I spend ages in a store just choosing identical items rather than the most beautiful ones,” she laughed.

Preparing for Tet therefore requires not only money but also patience and careful calculation.

“A normal family spends a certain amount for Tet; ours is double, triple, even six times that. Still, I believe Tet should be abundant, so I try to be open-minded about it,” Tuyet said.

In the days before Tet, the sight of the seven mother and children going to the holiday market always draws curious glances. Six little ones chatter around their mother - one asking for candy, another for festive decorations, the youngest simply staring in wide-eyed wonder.

“Going to the Tet market with my children is the most fun - it feels like seven sisters on a shopping spree. But it is also exhausting because I constantly count in my head to make sure all six are still there,” she joked.

Lucky money at the beginning of the year is another delicate matter for many large families. For Tuyet, it is a “difficult equation” that requires tact and sensitivity.

“My children outnumber others two or three times over, so I have to be thoughtful. Lucky money is a New Year blessing but also a social courtesy. When visiting families with fewer children, I often give a bit more so I don’t feel awkward,” she explained.

On the other hand, what reassures her most is that her children have never compared the amounts they receive. From an early age, she taught them that lucky money is a symbol of good fortune, not a measure of value.

“As long as they receive lucky money, they are happy. Whether it’s VND5,000 (approximately US$0.20) or VND50,000 (approximately US$2), they treasure it.

They always say thank you politely, never complaining that it’s too little or asking for more. That’s something I am truly proud of,” she said.

For Tuyet, Tet may be tiring, but it has never felt like a burden. It is the time when her children gather around her, clean the house together, prepare meals and preserve traditional customs.

This Tet, like many before, her small home echoes with children’s laughter. The holiday of a young mother with six children may not be leisurely or luxurious, but it is rich in love and connection. For her, that is the most precious gift of spring.

Nguyen Hanh