🏡 💖 How to Keep Your Home Tidy When You’ve Got Clingy Kids

Trying to keep your home tidy when you’ve got little ones attached to you 24/7 is NOT easy!

Lucky those little ones are cute 😘😊

When you’re constantly being needed - clung to, cuddled, followed into the bathroom - t can feel impossible to get anything done, let alone tidy up your house.

The trick is keeping it simple, letting go of perfection, and building little moments of tidying into the rhythm of your day.

Focus on the basics.

You don’t need a spotless home, just one that feels calm enough to function in.

Start with things that make the biggest visual difference:

• Clear the kitchen countertops
• Make the beds
• Pop toys into a basket
• Take out the rubbish

Use “with me” moments to tidy.

If your child insists on being close, let them be part of it.

• Narrate what you’re doing as you fold laundry
• Give them a cloth to “wipe” the table with
• Let them stack the kid safe dishes while you do the rest.

Yes, it will slow things down a little, but it keeps the connection while still getting it done.

Wear them if it helps.

If your little one is still small enough, using a baby carrier while you do quick tidying tasks can be a lifesaver. It keeps them close and comforted while your hands stay free for light chores.

Break things into micro-tasks.

Instead of cleaning an entire room, just do one corner. Instead of doing all the laundry, just put one load on. Tidying doesn’t have to be all or nothing. A few minutes here and there still make a difference.

My four steps to cleaning a room when I don’t have much time to myself are:

1. Rubbish out
2. Put things away
3. Spray and wipe surfaces
4. Sweep, vacuum or mop the floor.

When my kids were toddlers, I’d focus on one room per day, and break those steps up into different parts of the day so I was only busy for a few minutes at a time.

Most importantly, be kind to yourself.

If the cushions are on the floor or the dishes sit overnight sometimes, it’s okay. This is a season. Your children won’t always be this little, or this clingy.

You’re doing your best, and that’s plenty!

x Marissa

P.S. If you're feeling ready for a next step, and want to make home life feel simpler and calmer (even with little ones around), check out ​The Busy Mum’s Guide to Making Life Easier​. It’s full of gentle strategies that actually work in real life, no perfection required.

✏️ How to make homeschooling easier (without the overwhelm)

If you choose to do it, homeschooling can be one of the most rewarding ways to educate your child - but let’s be honest, it can also feel overwhelming, exhausting, and like you’re constantly behind.

Whether you’re new to homeschooling or deep in the journey, it’s easy to wonder if you’re doing enough or doing it right.

The key to making homeschooling easier is simplifying what you can, focusing on connection over perfection, and using ​tools that take the pressure off​ you as the parent.

There's no hard and fast rule saying you need to recreate a traditional classroom at home. You also don’t need to teach every subject yourself. And you definitely don’t need to have it all figured out.

Focus instead on creating gentle rhythms in your day. Build in margin for rest, outdoor time, and curiosity-led learning. Follow your child’s interests when possible. And don’t be afraid to use printables, online lessons, or learning games to break things up and keep it engaging.

It's also really helpful to create a flexible structure. A simple flow like morning check in → learning activity → movement → quiet time → creative play works well for many families. There’s no right or wrong routine, just what works for your children and your energy.

And most importantly, don’t do it alone. There are so many brilliant, affordable resources out there created by fellow homeschooling parents and educators who get it. ​The Ultimate Homeschooling Bundle​ is available this week, and it's packed with tools that take the chaos out of homeschooling and make it feel a whole lot more doable.

From phonics games and STEM activities to homeschool planners and self-care tools for mums, this bundle is your secret to making homeschooling feel fun and functional for both you and your child. And for a limited time, it’s available at a ​huge discount.​

Homeschooling doesn’t have to look a certain way to be successful. Focus on building a learning life that suits your family, keeps things manageable, and allows you to enjoy the journey together!

x Marissa

P.S. I'm an affiliate for The Ultimate Homemaking Bundle, so if you purchase via my link, I receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

🥰 Things That Help When You’re Overstimulated as a Mum

When you feel like you might scream the next time someone calls your name, spills something, or touches you, chances are, you’re overstimulated.

It’s incredibly common in motherhood, especially when you’re constantly surrounded by noise, mess, questions, and physical contact.

Let's look at some simple ways to bring your nervous system back to calm when things feel like too much.

Start by noticing the signs. Overstimulation can look like snapping over small things, feeling panicked by noise, needing space but not being able to get it, or just feeling like your skin is buzzing. If that’s you, you’re not broken, you’re human and you're carrying a LOT.

The first step is to step away if you can. Even 60 seconds in another room can help. Shut the bathroom door, step outside for a deep breath, or pop in some earbuds for a moment of quiet. It might not fix everything, but it gives your brain a break.

Lower the sensory input. Dim the lights, lower the volume, tidy one small space, or silence your phone notifications. Less sensory clutter helps your body reset faster.

Use grounding tools. Hold something cold, focus on your breath, or move your body in a gentle way. Even standing barefoot outside for a minute can help you feel more centred.

Give your nervous system something it can complete. That can be drinking a glass of water, doing a few stretches, or slowly washing your hands. These small acts send the signal that you're safe and in control again.

And when the moment passes, be kind to yourself. Overstimulation isn’t weakness. It’s a signal that you’ve been “on” for too long without enough space to recharge.

Build in regular reset points throughout the day, even tiny ones, so your nervous system doesn’t get pushed to the edge. You deserve calm just as much as everyone else in the house.

Let me know this goes for you! And if you'd like more tips like this, check out ​The Busy Mum's Guide to Making Life Easier​.

x Marissa

💗 Why You’re Always Tired (and How to Get Your Energy Back)

 If you’re always tired, even after a full night’s sleep - you’re not lazy, unmotivated, or doing it wrong. You’re a mum. And between the mental load, constant multitasking, and never-ending to-do list, it's no wonder you're exhausted. Here's how to get your energy back, little by little, with small changes that actually fit your life.

Start by checking in with your basic needs.

• Are you drinking enough water?
• Eating proper meals (not just leftover crusts)?
• Getting a few minutes of fresh air each day?

These seem simple, but when you’re looking after everyone else, it’s easy to skip the basics.

Next, look at where your energy is going. Mental load is a sneaky drain, remembering appointments, planning meals, thinking three steps ahead.

Try offloading some of it by using checklists, planners, or shared digital calendars (I just use my ​Google​ one - it syncs with my phone and computer). Getting it all out of your head helps free up mental space and makes things feel more manageable.

If you can, build in short rest breaks. Not a full nap (though that would be lovely) but at least five minutes with your feet up, some quiet music, or just sitting in silence. When you don't have time for a proper break, a micro one helps your nervous system reset.

You might also be tired from constant overstimulation. Noise, mess, screens, lights - modern motherhood is a sensory overload. Take mini breaks from the noise when you can. A little walk outside, a quite spot in your home to retreat to (even if it's the bathroom), or simply popping in air pods and playing calming sounds can make a big difference.

And of course, give yourself permission to do less. You don’t need to say yes to everything. You don’t need to get it all done in one day. Some of the tiredness comes from the pressure - internal and external - to be everything to everyone. But your rest matters too.

You might still feel tired some days but little by little, when you start meeting your own needs alongside everyone else's, you’ll feel more grounded, more energised, and more like YOU again 💖

Let me know this goes for you! And if you'd like more tips like this, check out ​The Busy Mum's Guide to Making Life Easier​.

x Marissa

😊 The After-School Routine That Stops the Chaos

 The kids come flying through the door - bags dumped, shoes kicked off, everyone hungry, tired, and wired at the same time.

You’re trying to unpack lunchboxes, manage homework, start dinner, and somehow keep the peace.

It’s a lot.

Let's get a simple after-school routine going so all that energy can settle into something more calm and manageable 💗

Start with a pause. Before jumping straight into homework or chores, give the kids a moment to decompress. Let them have a snack, some quiet time, or a play outside to shake off the school day. It’s amazing how much smoother things go when kids have a chance to reset.

Next, have a landing spot for bags, shoes, and lunchboxes. Hooks, baskets, or a corner by the door work well. When there’s a go-to spot, you’re not constantly reminding them where things go - and the house stays tidier.

Then move into your “reset and reconnect” time. Check school notes, unpack lunchboxes, and have a quick chat about their day. It doesn’t need to be deep, just a few minutes of connection makes a big difference.

If homework is part of your afternoon, set it up with a time limit and clear finish. Some families like to do it straight after the snack break, others prefer after dinner. Find what works for your energy flow, and keep it consistent.

Sprinkle in light structure to keep everyone grounded:

• Snack
• Bags unpacked
• Homework or play
• Free time or screens
• Dinner

The order matters more than the exact times, it helps kids know what to expect and reduces the overwhelm for everyone.

Most importantly, leave space for flexibility. Some days will go smoothly, others will still be a little chaotic. Your simple routine will give you a solid base to come back to, even when the day has gone off-track.

Let me know this goes for you! And if you'd like more tips like this, check out ​The Busy Mum's Guide to Making Life Easier​.

x Marissa