Keeping A Clean Home During the Little Years

Crayons spilling off the coffee table, army men strewn all over the floor, fingerprints plastering the sliding door, and too many dishes to count. These are just a few of the things that come with having tiny humans in your house. It’s only a season- something we mamas of youngens need to remind ourselves of almost daily- but even so, it’s hard to feel content and accomplished with messes everywhere.

Whether you’re a neat freak or a slob, when it’s not your mess and you’re trying to run a family day to day, messes just add to the chaos. That’s the last thing we need! Why then, does it seem that no matter what we do to keep our homes in some sort of order, it comes down to the kids seeing less of us? Guilt sets in, frustration rises, and we end the day feeling hopeless and unsure of what to try tomorrow. How do we balance time spent with our children with keeping our home up throughout the day? Spending two hours cleaning every night when the kids are in bed just makes for a bitter, tired mama. Having them keep their activities contained to one room makes you feel like you aren’t letting them be kids.

Here are a few things I have found really help me in this area:

1. I do quick clean up spurts a few times a day. Just five to ten minutes focused on one messy area. Sometimes I do it when the kids are busy with something, and sometimes I have them help.

2. I separate my cleaning into two parts- before naptime and before bedtime. Before the kids lie down for their naps, we set this cute little owl timer they love {Hootie} for five minutes and we go until Hootie says it’s time to stop. They pick up the toys and bring them to their rooms, I do dishes or sweep up. Before bedtime, we repeat this little “game”.

3. Naptime is MY time. I do not clean. I read, write, have some prayer time, or watch a show. One thing I will do is laundry. It’s easy, it’s one chore I really don’t mind, and I can do it while I watch TV still. I usually get two loads done and that’s all I need to do for the day. Mission accomplished.

4. After the kids are in bed for the night, I vacuum. It’s just a quick run-through and it makes the house look so much better. I also get all the dishes in the dishwasher and run it, then unload in the morning while I’m fixing breakfast.

If you actually put these tips into action, I promise- you will have a picked up house throughout the day and you will go to bed at night feeling so much more accomplished. You will have time to make your children your focus and not give up the idea of a tidy house. What’s not to love about that?!