How one mum balances six kids, music, and multilingualism

Raising six kids is no small feat, but Natalia van der Mersch has turned it into an art form. Juggling the lives of her children, Eduouard (8), Antoine and François (twins, 13), Victor (15), Alice (17) and the eldest Maxime (20), she’s managed to keep the wheels turning smoothly on her family bus (an 8-seater Volkswagen ), all while balancing this alongside a successful music career as a violinist.

6 kids, 1 car

If you think your morning routine is hectic, imagine herding six kids into a car every morning. 'I’m also a bus driver,' she jokes, recalling the chaos of getting everyone ready in time. 'When they were little, it was a real challenge. There was always at least one missing in the morning, and I was running around like a headless chicken, getting their shoes... I never had my breakfast. There was always someone screaming or on the floor. But once they were all in the car, that was the first big step of the day.'

Over time, even this routine has found its rhythm. 'It’s a lot easier now, as they are older' she says, though she admits that driving her tribe around town still takes up a significant chunk of her day. Her car, once a battlefield of shoes and forgotten lunchboxes, has become a place of conversation and connection. ‘The car is a great place, you can talk to them and hear them talk to one another.’ A period of time which used to be very stressful due to the ages of the children, has turned into one of Natalia’s happy places.

Harmony at home

Despite the crazy amount of school runs, extracurricular activities, and the general demands of a big family, she has never let go of her passion for music. 'I’m a musician. I never stopped playing violin,' she shares, describing how music has been a source of calm amidst the chaos.

'I’m very lucky; I have a wonderful pianist. We’ve been playing together for 14 years. We met, not in a conservatory or a concert hall, but at Little Gym when our 15-year-old boys were only one year old. I heard this beautiful woman speaking Russian, and since I also speak Russian, we started talking.

I asked what she did, and she said, ‘I’m a pianist.’ I said, ‘Oh, I’m a violinist,’ and that’s how our journey began.' Ultimately, the children were the reason for their encounter!

The duo have since recorded several albums together, and music has become a family affair. 'She taught all six of my kids how to play the piano from the age of three or four,' she proudly states. Music has been more than just an extracurricular activity for her children; it’s been a crucial part of their development. 'It’s so beneficial for learning. It improves coordination, helps them do many things at once, and should be as important as math or languages in school.'

Luxembourg epitomised

Raising a multilingual family adds another layer of complexity, but she’s embraced it with the same grace she brings to her music. 'I’m German, but also Croatian. We decided it was impossible to speak all the languages with the kids, so I speak German, and their dad speaks French to them, because he is from Belgium. They speak English at school, so together they all speak English.'

Consistency is key, she insists, noting that while the kids often revert to English, she continues in German. 'They all went to crèche in French, so they would try to speak French to me, but I would just continue in German. The same now with English'. Truly, exemplifying what Luxembourg is all about.

With so many personalities under one roof, no two of her kids are the same, not even the twins. Finding a balance between discipline and affection is crucial. 'There have to be rules and limits,' she says. “It’s not always perfect. Take food, for example: there is no discussion, you take what you are given.'

But beyond the rules, her love for her children is the guiding force in her parenting. 'I always wanted to have so many children; it was a childhood dream. There’s not much advice to give. If you love your kids, you just know what to do. Don’t be too stressed, just be happy to have them.'

In terms of education, the majority of the children attended the ISL but it was a bit more difficult for the twins as they have some learning difficulties. Therefore, the boys were moved to the Luxembourgish system which provides 'a lot better support, they are very inclusive. It’s very well done, I must say.'

Raising six kids is undoubtedly a challenge, but for this mum, it’s also a labour of love. With a violin in one hand and the keys to her family bus in the other, she’s orchestrated a life that is as full of joy as it is of logistics.