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:
- Rubbish out
- Put things away
- Spray and wipe surfaces
- 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.
