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'We were in the trenches': Sam Wood opens up about having three kids under four, plus a teenager

By Sam Wood|

We're thrilled to introduce our new 9Honey Parenting columnists - Sam and Snezana Wood. Every month, Sam and Snez will take it in turns to share their joys, struggles, thoughts and opinions about parenthood.

How do I manage juggling work, parenting and four kids? The first thing is that it's hard. I mean really hard.

To be honest, for the first couple of months after our fourth beautiful baby arrived, exercise and even eating well, were definitely not at the top of our priority list. It was really a matter of taking care of each other and survival.

'We're in the trenches': WATCH our exclusive interview with Sam and Snez above

Sam and Snezana Wood have four beautiful daughters
Sam and Snezana Wood have four beautiful daughters (Supplied)

Little Harper was born a month early and she spent seven of the first eight weeks of her life in hospital with a virus and infections. On top of this, Snez was also dealing with an infection.

This meant that we were navigating this in hospital while also three other kids at home. It's been a real leveler.

I love being able to write like this as I get a lot of comments on social media from followers assuming that I've totally got it together. And I can tell you we don't!

That might be the social media perception as we all love to show the best snippets of our life, but if I'm honest, we were drowning for the first months of Harper's life.

READ MORE: What changed one woman's mind about being child-free

If it wasn't for great friends and family, and Snez being so strong, I don't know what we would've done.

But now with Harper home, we can reflect, and I am a massive believer in what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I am so thrilled to have a beautiful family of six. And to be honest, this has made us closer than ever.

READ MORE: Cheap and easy Kmart hack sends parents into frenzy

Sam Wood with his family (Instagram)

For us moving forward, it's about slowly but surely building back structure and routine into our lives. I know that when I do exercise, and make the time for a quick 28 workout, it makes me feel a million times better, both physically and emotionally.

As cliche as it might sound, you never regret a workout afterwards.

And for other parents out there, I truly believe that we need to take the pressure off, knowing that we will get back into our routine eventually, and not be so hard on ourselves.

READ MORE: Johnny Ruffo's touching update amid terminal cancer battle

Sam Wood opens up about having four kids (Instagram)

What I hear a lot when I am training women after they have a baby, is the pressure they feel to 'bounce back'. And I hate hearing this.

Everyone's family situation is different, everyone's relationship with pregnancy is different, and everyone's health is different.

(28 by Sam Wood)

The reality is, does it matter if we are back on our feet tomorrow or next year? No, as long as we are healthy and feeling good, that's all that matters.

When I was finally ready to get back into my routine again, I took on the 8-Week Challenge. I'd love for those ready to come join our community 28 by Sam Wood.

For more info, go to 28bysamwood.com

Want more? Watch our exclusive interview with Sam and Snez above where they talk candidly about how they are managing since Harper's birth. ?

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