I often marvel at those parents who manage to keep their homes spotless while raising toddlers. I mean, do they possess some secret sorcery, or do they have a cleaning crew on speed dial? Since welcoming kids into my life, maintaining a clean home has become a Herculean task. There’s just never enough time in the day to juggle parenting, work, and house cleaning. It often feels like I’m in an endless cycle of tidying up, only to be met with a fresh wave of chaos.
For me, the mess is a constant companion, and I’ve learned to let some things slide. As long as my toilet doesn’t resemble a science experiment gone wrong, I’ve accepted my new reality. Here are some of the housekeeping habits that have evolved since my kiddos arrived:
- Dusting
Living in a dry climate means dust is a regular visitor. I can practically see it floating through the sunlight as it settles on my surfaces. By the time I finish wiping everything down, it’s time to start again. Unless I get a house made of pure vacuum, dusting is a never-ending battle. - De-cluttering
My kitchen counter is a black hole for clutter. No matter how often I clear it off, it seems to regenerate like a supervillain. I could swear there’s a Pomeranian hiding in there somewhere! - Mopping
Once upon a time, I mopped every other night. Now, I only pull out the mop for major disasters. It’s become a special occasion, reserved for when my kids unleash their inner party animals. - Sweeping
I find myself sweeping multiple times a day—not for a love of cleanliness, but to combat the crumbs and snack debris strewn across my floors. It’s as if my children are on a mission to recreate a farm scene indoors. - Vacuuming
I actually enjoy vacuuming; it’s a quick way to make my home look presentable. However, my vacuuming schedule is as rare as a solar eclipse. When it does happen, it feels like a celebration — complete with imaginary parades. - Cleaning Bathrooms
Bathroom cleaning is reserved for three scenarios: someone has an accident, surprise guests arrive, or I have an unexpected visitor. My bathrooms are probably the cleanest rooms in the house, but that’s mostly due to low traffic! - Laundry
Laundry used to be a simple chore. Now, it feels like an insurmountable mountain of clothes. I intended for it to be a weekly task, but it often turns into a monthly marathon. - Washing Sheets
In my pre-kids life, I washed sheets every two weeks. Now, it’s a rare event that only happens if someone has a nighttime accident. - Dishes
Let’s be real: I dread doing dishes. It’s the one chore that demands my attention multiple times a day. A good day is when I keep up with it; a bad day is when I’m drowning in sippy cups and lids by nightfall. - Washing Windows
I have no qualms about ignoring my windows until they’re so grimy that I can’t tell if it’s foggy outside. - Cleaning the Litter Box
With the addition of a second cat, my once-spotless litter box has become a neglected corner of the house. Sometimes I just start fresh by tossing everything out and setting up a new one. - Taking Out the Trash
Trash removal is a must. I can’t let it pile up because of family visits; I have to compact it down or enlist my kids to help with the heavy lifting. - Oven Cleaning
Self-cleaning ovens are a lifesaver, even if they don’t completely clean themselves. After the burning smell dissipates, I still have to scrub the leftover grime myself. - Refrigerator Cleaning
I wait until my fridge is practically a science experiment before I tackle this chore. Thankfully, I have a lot of storage containers to postpone the inevitable. - Pantry Organizing
My pantry is a chaotic mess, and organizing it feels like a daunting task. Moving would be less stressful! - The Garage
The garage is my husband’s domain. I’ll sweep up a bit, but the bulk of the organization is on him. - Picking Up Toys
This usually involves stuffing them into a bag for donation—let’s be honest, they multiply faster than rabbits! - Making Beds
Is this still a thing? I can’t remember the last time I made a bed. - Yard Work
I enjoy yard work, but only if someone else is watching the kids. Otherwise, it turns into a chaotic game of dodgeball. - Closet Organizing
This is similar to pantry organization, but I usually end up sifting through clothes to find the toys that have mysteriously migrated there.
Despite the chaos, I’ve learned to embrace this messy phase of life. I know one day I’ll have a clean house again, free from toys and snack remnants. For now, I see the clutter as a sign of life and love. We’ll keep rolling with the chaos because time is limited, and we have so much to do.
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In summary, parenting and housekeeping often clash, but finding balance is key. Accepting the mess can lead to a more enjoyable family life, and one day, I’ll reclaim my tidy home.
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