I’m in awe of those parents who manage to keep their homes spotless with toddlers running around. I honestly have no idea how they pull it off. If I did, my house wouldn’t resemble a disaster zone. Perhaps they have a secret stash of magic spells or rely on housekeepers.
Keeping my home tidy has become a monumental task since having kids. Time is a precious commodity, and there’s just never enough to tackle both daily activities and deep cleaning. Even if I tidy up as I go, I’m continuously picking up toys and random bits of shredded paper that seem to multiply when little ones are around. Sure, I may do a load of laundry, but it often sits in the washer for days as I explain to anyone who asks, “Look, I’m doing laundry!”
Even when I manage to whip my home into shape—usually before guests arrive—I find it rarely stays that way for long. My standards for cleanliness have dropped significantly, and honestly, as long as my bathroom doesn’t resemble a science experiment gone wrong, I’m okay with that. Here’s how my housekeeping game has shifted:
- Dusting
Living in a dry, sunny climate means that dust is a constant companion. I can practically see it drifting through beams of sunlight, settling on every surface. By the time I finish dusting, I feel like I need to start over the next day. Unless I find a house that mimics the vacuum of space, I don’t see this changing. - De-cluttering
My kitchen counter is like a black hole for clutter. I could clear it off completely, and it would mysteriously refill within hours. It’s a battle I can’t seem to win. - Mopping
I used to mop every other night, but by morning it would look like a toddler party happened overnight. Now, I’ve restricted mopping to emergencies—like spills or accidents. - Sweeping
I sweep my floors twice a day—not because I love it, but because food debris accumulates quickly, making it feel like I have tiny farm animals in my home. - Vacuuming
Vacuuming is my secret weapon for a quick clean-up. Unfortunately, it’s a rare occurrence. When I do manage to vacuum, it feels like a holiday celebration—complete with confetti and farm animals. - Cleaning Bathrooms
I clean the bathrooms only on three occasions: when they need it due to accidents, when guests are coming over, or when someone unexpectedly drops by. My bathrooms might be the cleanest part of the house! - Laundry
When I was single, laundry was a breeze. Now, with kids, it’s a weekly mountain of clothes that I can’t seem to conquer. What was once one load a week is now a challenge that often spirals out of control. - Washing Sheets
I used to wash sheets every two weeks. Now, it’s a once-a-month affair unless there’s a bed-wetting incident. - Dishes
I absolutely dread doing dishes, yet they are the chore that never ends. A good day involves unloading the dishwasher in the morning and keeping it up until dinner. - Washing Windows
I’ve become an expert at ignoring dirty windows until they become a hazard to my view. - Cleaning the Litter Box
When I had one cat, I kept things pristine. Now, with an additional cat and a box in a rarely used room, I sometimes just start fresh by tossing it all out. - Taking Out the Trash
I can’t let trash pile up inside my home. So, when it’s full, I either compact it or recruit the nearest child to help with the heavy lifting. - Oven Cleaning
Self-cleaning ovens are a blessing, but they never fully clean themselves. I still have to scrub out the remnants of my culinary disasters. - Refrigerator Cleaning
I tend to wait until my fridge looks like it’s hosting a science experiment before cleaning it out. - Pantry Organizing
My pantry is a chaotic mess, and organizing it feels like a monumental task best left for another day. - The Garage
The garage is my husband’s domain. I might sweep up a bit, but beyond that, I let him handle it. - Picking Up Toys
I often consider just bagging them up for donation to save time. - Making Beds
Is this still a thing? I’m not sure anymore. - Yard Work
I don’t mind yard work, but only if someone else is supervising the kids; otherwise, it turns into a game of dodge-the-lawnmower. - Closet Organizing
Closets are another chaotic area. Sorting through clothes often leads me to find toys and sippy cups that have seen better days.
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the constant chaos, but I’ve accepted that this is just a phase of life. Someday, my home will be clean again, and I won’t have to step over toys or clean up food spills. For now, the mess signifies life and activity, and I choose to embrace it.
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Summary:
Parenting has forced me to adapt my housekeeping strategies significantly. From the relentless battle against dust and clutter to redefining my approach to laundry and cleaning, I’ve learned to embrace the mess. While I may long for a tidy home one day, for now, the chaos is simply a part of our lively family life.