This is the first time since MotherStories was founded that we've interviewed a blended family. Laetitia, Thierry and their 5 children, Matteo, Paul, Lisa-Marie, Alicia and Louis, live in a lovely, lively house in the canton of Vaud: Matteo, Paul, Lisa-Marie, Alicia, Louis and their super nanny, Lydie. A remake of the new-generation "7 à la maison" series, where the stay-at-home mom and the pastor dad are replaced by divorced/remarried/assumed working parents.

Laetitia, can you introduce yourself in a few words?
I'm 40 years old. Originally from Vaud, I lived in Geneva for 20 years before returning (with no regrets) to the canton of Vaud almost two and a half years ago. I co-manage a relocation company with my brother. Married for 8 years, I had 2 boys, Matteo and Paul, the 1st at the age of 25, who are now 13 ½ and 10. After a difficult divorce and a long period (5 years) as a solo mom, I finally found love and joie de vivre again with Thierry, himself the father of 3 children, Lisa-Marie 13 ½, Alicia 10 ½ and Louis 8. United as never before, we said yes and celebrated our love a few months ago surrounded by our 5 children and our loved ones.

It'sbeen intense but wonderful. First we had to find our bearings and a certain balance. You have to learn to live together, which involves some adjustments. Honestly, things fell into place quite quickly and, above all, naturally. As the children are older, it's also easier for them to understand. Everyone's role is very clear. Thierry and I play an important role in each other's children's lives, but we'll never replace their moms and dads. Everyone has their place and respects it.

What's your secret?
Natural chemistry (for the record, our two eldest children were born on the same day of the same year), luck and, above all, space! To make cohabitation healthy and easy, it's important for everyone to have their own space, ideally their own room. In this way, problems of jealousy and rivalry between siblings can be avoided as far as possible. Among siblings, depending on age, period and interests, certain ++ affinities develop spontaneously.

How do you manage the children's upbringing?
Fortunately, Thierry and I share the same values, which is what counts most in the end. Everything else is just details and adjustments. On a day-to-day basis, I'm stricter and Thierry is cooler. We allow each other, if justified, to take back the other's children. If we disagree, we don't show it in front of them. We settle our accounts in private and get on with it (laughs). We have an au-pair, Lydie, who has been with us since the start of our new life. She's part of the family and helps us a lot. She takes care of the children's homework, which is a big burden for us, as Thierry and I work 200% less each... Now that the children are older, Lydie only works part-time, but she still lives under our roof.

What core values would you like to instill in your children?
Respect, honesty, love and sharing.

What has been the biggest adjustment in your life change?
Moving to Vaud 2 years ago. It was a difficult transition for my sons, who changed canton, town, school and, above all, moved away from their father and their friends of the time. The first 6 months were hot! But today, neither they nor I regret that decision. Otherwise, once again, it's a good thing Lydie is with us every day. She's a bit like our 6th child and plays the role of big sister, the eldest of the siblings (smile).

Mother of 2 + 3 children, 200% working mum (you co-direct your own company), young wife, how do you reconcile all these roles?
We have one weekend out of two when we're both with Thierry, so we can get together... in the quiet (smile). We spend a lot of time together, but we also try to spend time with our children. For example, I spend every Wednesday with my sons in the home office. I have to say that I'm less stressed since I opened an office in Lausanne, so I don't have to make the daily trips back and forth like I used to.

Otherwise, from a purely logistical and practical point of view, you have to get organized or you'll quickly be overwhelmed. Here, everything is thought out, cooked and washed to inordinate proportions (laughs). The machines run non-stop, the rolls of toilet paper go down at breakneck speed and the freezer is always full to bursting. But let's face it, it takes two or even three people to take care of the whole mess. In our case, Thierry helps out a lot, he's mainly the cook and Lydie helps us with the commute and the children's homework. Now that they're older, it's a lot easier. They know more and more how to look after themselves, and even the youngest, aged 8, is keeping up with his sisters and half-brothers, so things are running smoothly.

What are the most difficult moments?
I'd say when there are conflicts between the children, although these are fairly rare. The worst comes with adolescence... (laughs).

How do you find time for yourself?
From 5.50 to 6.20 in the morning, when I force myself to do a mini-workout at home. After that, I enjoyed the 5 years of celibacy that followed my divorce, so I don't necessarily feel the need to take time for myself. I feel good and fulfilled when we're all together as a family. Thierry and I like to eat together in the evening after the kids have left the table, with a good glass of wine. Simple things in the end.

Do you have any advice for young people or future blended families?
Space and a planning app (laughs). Mine if ever is Tip stuff. And then, accept that you can't manage everything and let go.

A woman you admire?
Then there are two: my mother and her mother, my grandmother. The first, a real fighter who always gave my brothers and me unconditional love. The second, for her strength of character, her unfailing positivism and the couple she formed with my grandfather. Through them, I've always believed in love with a capital A, and I'm living it today with my husband.

Laetitia, what can we wish you today for tomorrow?
I've put my personal life on hold for years to focus on my work. As a woman, you always feel very guilty because you want to do well, but above all you want to do EVERYTHING. Since my brother joined me in the family adventure, I've been able to take a breather, step back and review my priorities. Wish me quality time with my loved ones. At 40, I know what I want and where I'm going. I'm finally living the life I've always dreamed of.

Any final message you'd like to pass on?
If someone had told me 5 years ago that I was going to remarry and have a blended family with 5 children, I'd have laughed out loud! I was the first of my friends to get married, the first to have children, but also the first to get divorced. At 35, I thought I was "out". But life is a succession of twists and turns and challenges. You have to give yourself permission and the chance to start again, to reinvent yourself. Anything is possible, it's up to us.