I’ve seen those miraculous parents whose homes look immaculate despite having toddlers. Honestly, I’m at a loss on how they achieve that. If I knew, I might avoid the disaster zone that is my living space! Perhaps they have a secret potion or a magical cleaning fairy they employ regularly.
Since the arrival of my little ones, keeping my home tidy has become a Herculean task. Between juggling their schedules and our daily chaos, finding time to clean is like trying to catch smoke with my bare hands. Even with my best efforts to tidy up throughout the day, toys and bits of toilet paper seem to multiply exponentially. Sure, I might manage to toss in a load of laundry, but that often turns into a four-day saga of stinky socks and mismatched pairs. “Look at my laundry progress!” I proudly declare, gesturing at the overflowing washer.
Even when I do manage to scrub things down—usually in a mad dash before guests arrive to prevent them from thinking we live like animals—it stays clean for all of five minutes. My tolerance for mess has shifted dramatically, and as long as my toilet doesn’t resemble a science experiment gone wrong, I’m mostly okay with the chaos. Here are some of the housekeeping habits I’ve changed since becoming a parent:
- Dusting
In my dry, sunny state, dust particles dance like little fairies every time I walk past a sunbeam. By the time I finish dusting with a rag, it’s time to start over again. Unless I find a house that replicates the vacuum of space, I’m done fighting this battle. - De-cluttering
My kitchen counter is a notorious black hole for clutter. It’s like a magnet for junk—clear it off, and it magically regenerates overnight. I could swear there’s a Pomeranian buried in there somewhere! - Mopping
Once upon a time, I mopped every other night. Now, it’s reserved solely for cleaning up toddler messes. My floors might look like a dance party happened overnight, but my sanity appreciates the break. - Sweeping
I sweep twice a day—not for the love of cleanliness, but because my kids’ meals could feed a small army of mice. It’s like living in a barn sometimes! - Vacuuming
I actually enjoy vacuuming because it quickly gives the illusion of cleanliness. It’s a rare event, though, so when I do, it’s practically a holiday celebration. - Cleaning Bathrooms
I tackle this chore under three conditions: if there’s an accident, if guests are coming over, or if I’m caught off guard by an unannounced visitor. My bathrooms might be the cleanest areas in the house! - Laundry
Laundry used to be a simple bi-weekly task. Now, it’s a multi-load saga that could rival a soap opera, especially when my kids change outfits 15 times a day. - Washing Sheets
With one child, I washed sheets religiously every two weeks. Now, it only happens when someone has a little accident—or sometimes never at all! - Dishes
The bane of my existence! I despise doing dishes, yet it’s the one chore that seems to mount up multiple times daily. A good day means I can keep up; a bad day means a mountain of sippy cups awaits me at bedtime. - Washing Windows
I’ll ignore this chore until I can’t see outside clearly. If I have to squint to see if it’s foggy, it’s time to clean the windows. - Cleaning the Litter Box
Back when my cat was my only child, I cleaned it daily. Now, with a second cat in the mix, it tends to be neglected until I can’t stand it anymore. - Taking Out the Trash
I can’t have trash piling up with my aunt being in CPS. When it’s full, I either compact it with my foot or enlist my kids to help—it’s a team effort! - Oven Cleaning
Self-cleaning ovens are my best friend! Even if they don’t do a perfect job, I’ll take a smoky disaster over scrubbing grease any day. - Refrigerator Cleaning
This task waits until there’s a science experiment growing in a container or I run out of space—whichever comes first! - Pantry Organizing
I have no idea how it becomes such a disaster, but my pantry is a chaotic mess. It takes forever to sort out, so I often put it off indefinitely. - The Garage
This is my husband’s domain. I only venture in to sweep up bunny droppings and find misplaced tools. - Picking Up Toys
I’ve embraced the art of tossing them in a bag for donation. Out with the old! - Making Beds
Is this still a thing? My kids think it’s a game, so I’m over it. - Yard Work
I don’t mind mowing the lawn, but only if someone else is watching the kids. Otherwise, it turns into a chaotic race against time. - Closet Organizing
This is like my pantry nightmare but with clothes. After rummaging through the piles, I usually just toss everything into the laundry basket for another day.
Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed by the constant chaos, but I’ve accepted that this is the season of life I’m in. One day, I’ll have a clean house again—when there are no toys underfoot and greasy fingerprints aren’t decorating my windows.
I won’t say I love the mess, but it’s a reminder of the beautiful chaos of life. So, I’ll continue embracing the disorder because life is happening, and there’s never enough time to do it all. If you want to learn more about home insemination, check out this resource for helpful information. And for those looking for a reliable insemination kit, visit Make a Mom. For an insightful overview of the process, this WebMD article is an excellent resource.
Summary: Parenting has significantly altered my housekeeping techniques, leading me to prioritize sanity over sterility. From dusting to laundry, I’ve adapted my cleaning habits to fit our chaotic lifestyle, embracing the mess as part of our vibrant family life.