When the Music Starts Again: Dance Season, Soccer Cleats, and the Chaos of Raising Three Kids

The music has started again, and with it, our family’s annual plunge into dance season. My 8-year-old daughter is back at it—this time not just with ballet, but with acro added to the mix. She’s also lacing up her cleats for soccer, and school is back in session. That alone would be enough to keep any parent busy. But in our house, the soundtrack of life includes the giggles (and tantrums) of a two-year-old toddler boy and the sweet, sleepy coos of a 3-month-old baby girl.

And I work full-time.

So yes, things are a little wild right now.

💃 One Girl, Two Passions

Last year was her first time stepping into the world of dance. Ballet was her gateway—graceful, structured, and full of tiny triumphs. I watched her fall in love with movement, with music, with the quiet confidence that comes from mastering something new.

This year, she’s adding acro to her repertoire. It’s a whole new challenge: strength, flexibility, and a lot of upside-down fun. She’s thrilled. I’m proud. And I’m also staring at our calendar wondering how we’re going to make it all work.

Soccer is also in the mix now. Practices, games, shin guards, and muddy cleats. She’s juggling a lot, and so am I. But I see how much she thrives when she’s active, when she’s learning, when she’s part of a team or a class. That makes the chaos worth it.

🍼 The Toddler Tornado and the Newborn Bubble

While she’s twirling and tumbling, her little brother is busy being two. Which means he’s climbing everything, asking “why” 400 times a day, and testing every boundary known to humankind. He’s hilarious and exhausting and absolutely relentless.

And then there’s our newest addition—just three months old. She’s still in that dreamy newborn phase, all snuggles and sleepy smiles. But even the quietest baby brings a rhythm of feedings, diaper changes, and unpredictable nights.

So while one child is leaping across the dance floor, two others are keeping me firmly grounded in the beautiful mess of early motherhood.

🧠 The Mental Load of Working Full-Time

I work full-time. Which means my brain is constantly switching gears—from spreadsheets to snack bags, from meetings to meltdowns. I’m answering emails while rocking the baby, mentally prepping for presentations while packing soccer gear, and trying to remember which kid needs what and when.

There are days when I feel like I’m failing at everything. When the guilt creeps in because I missed a school event or forgot to sign a permission slip. When I’m too tired to be present, too stretched to be patient.

But there are also moments of grace. Like when my daughter nails a cartwheel she’s been practicing for weeks. Or when my toddler wraps his arms around me and says, “You’re my best friend.” Or when the baby falls asleep on my chest and the world slows down for just a minute.

💬 The Emotional Rollercoaster

Let’s be real: there are tears. From them, from me. There are tantrums over missing socks and forgotten snacks. There are nights when I collapse into bed wondering how I’ll do it all again tomorrow.

But there’s also joy. So much joy. Watching my daughter grow into her own rhythm, seeing her confidence bloom, hearing her talk about her “acro goals” with the seriousness of a seasoned athlete—it’s worth every chaotic minute.

And there’s pride. In them, yes. But also in myself. Because this isn’t easy. And yet, here we are, showing up day after day.

🗓️ How We (Sort of) Keep It Together

Here are a few things that help us survive the madness:

• Color-coded calendars: My daughter’s activities are one color, my work schedule another, and anything toddler-related gets its own shade of chaos.
• Prep the night before: Outfits, snacks, bags—anything that can be done ahead of time is a gift to future me.
• Accepting help: Whether it’s carpooling, grocery delivery, or leaning on family, I’ve learned to say yes.
• Letting go of perfection: Some nights it’s frozen pizza. Some mornings we’re late. It’s okay.

💖 Why We Keep Going

So why do we do it? Why sign up for more classes, more practices, more commitments?

Because we see what it gives her. Confidence. Community. Passion. Discipline. Joy.

Because we want her to explore, to grow, to find what lights her up.

Because even in the chaos, there’s connection. In the car rides, the sideline chats, the post-practice hugs. In the shared exhaustion and the shared triumphs.

And maybe, just maybe, because we’re growing too. Learning to stretch ourselves, to prioritize, to be present in the mess. Learning that love looks like showing up—even when you’re tired, even when you’re stretched thin.

🧡 A Season of Movement

This dance season isn’t just about pliés and handstands. It’s about movement—in every sense. Moving through schedules, emotions, challenges, and milestones. Moving toward growth, toward connection, toward joy.

So here’s to the parents juggling it all. To the kids chasing their dreams. To the messy, beautiful rhythm of life.

We may not always hit the beat perfectly, but we’re dancing. And that’s enough.