I’ve shared living spaces with friends, spent time with just my partner, and now I’m juggling life with my spouse and two energetic little ones. Through all these phases, one thing has stayed the same: I’m not exactly the world’s best housekeeper.
Our home isn’t filthy, but let’s be real—it’s often a bit chaotic. I don’t possess that relentless urge to scrub every surface every minute of the day. If I’m walking barefoot and step on a crumb, I’m not racing to grab the broom. Sure, I dream of a home that sparkles and glimmers—a place where guests exclaim, “Wow, your house is immaculate! What’s your secret?”
But here’s the kicker: I have kids. And honestly, trying to maintain a pristine house while raising small children is complete nonsense.
Keeping a home spotless with little ones around is nearly impossible. They’re like tiny tornadoes of mess. They wake up ready to spread dirt everywhere, no matter how diligent your previous bedtime routine was. Once those little eyes blink open, they come equipped with dirt that will find its way onto every surface before breakfast is even served. Everything they touch—walls, doorknobs, light switches—seems to become a canvas for their sticky little fingerprints within seconds.
Still, I put in the effort. I keep wipes handy and do my best to clean up as soon as I can. I’ve even created a cleaning schedule that outlines what needs to be tackled each day. But my kids? They couldn’t care less about my organizational plans. They seem to have a sixth sense for when I’ve designated a day for bathroom cleaning. So, of course, the very next morning, it’s like everyone suddenly needs to use the loo multiple times—sometimes with the added bonus of an upset tummy. And just when I think I’ve mopped the floor, they decide a bath is in order, splashing dirty water everywhere. They know what they’re doing.
Maybe your housemates aren’t dealing with an onslaught of bathroom emergencies, but perhaps you’re familiar with the “food wanderer” scenario. You know, when your child sweetly asks for an orange while you’re knee-deep in laundry? Heaven forbid they ask while you’re focused on anything else. You tell them they can have the fruit, but they need to eat it at the table. Ha! As if kids can sit still long enough to finish anything. They take one bite and then suddenly need to wash their hands, creating a mess on the countertop. Another bite leads to orange juice splattering everywhere—especially on days when you just mopped the floors. Before you know it, the dog is involved, and ants are getting the memo that dinner is served—right there on your floor.
Even in a perfect world devoid of food or mess, there are toys everywhere. Those classic wooden blocks your parents bought for your toddler? They’re great for developing motor skills, imaginative play, and stepping on at 3 a.m. when you thought you had picked them all up. Spoiler alert: you always miss one, and it’s the one that will find its way into your foot.
I’ve never been a cleaning fanatic, but I’ve always attempted to keep things tidy. Now, with kids in the mix, it feels impossible. So, I’m throwing in the towel. I’ll clean the house once they’re out on their own. Until then, just wear shoes when you visit and convince yourself that the wet spot on the couch is just water. That’s the strategy I use!
For more insights on navigating the ups and downs of parenthood, check out our other post on terms and conditions. If you’re interested in home insemination, Make A Mom has great resources as well. Also, the Mount Sinai website is an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, keeping a tidy house with children is a nearly impossible task that often leads to chaos and frustration. It’s best to accept the mess and focus on what truly matters during this wild and wonderful journey of parenthood.