As the vibrant season of spring arrives, it’s that time when many of us feel compelled to don our cleaning gloves, tackle the dust bunnies, and dispose of items that no longer serve us. The concept of spring cleaning sounds delightful—who wouldn’t want a pristine, clutter-free home? The idea of decluttering is appealing; let’s start by getting rid of all these toys. However, the harsh reality is that this aspiration often feels unattainable when you’re living with messy little ones.
To be fair, my children, aged four and six, are still in the process of grasping the concept of cleanliness. My partner, while not a complete slob, has a different threshold for what constitutes “clean.” While I can’t tolerate sticky jelly spots lingering on the kitchen counter, he seems perfectly fine with them.
My cleaning routine typically unfolds over the weekends. I strive to keep the dishes in check during the week, but balancing work outside the home with household chores leaves me little time or energy to rearrange cushions or tidy up toys. I’ve tried managing everything after work, but it often leads to frustration—certainly not conducive to a harmonious family atmosphere. Therefore, I reserve my “rage-cleaning” for Saturdays. The term “rage-cleaning” aptly describes the challenge of maintaining a clean home when tiny, careless hands are constantly creating new messes. It’s hard not to get exasperated when you discover yet another empty juice box hidden behind the couch or find dirty socks strewn across the hallway, just a few feet from the laundry basket.
Every Saturday morning, we engage in damage control as a family. I distribute a list of chores, and while there’s plenty of grumbling and lackluster effort, I refuse to play maid. They need to learn the importance of living in a tidy environment.
Now, back to spring cleaning—it’s a necessity in my household. I can’t recall the last time I mopped the floors or cleaned under the furniture. With winter behind us, it’s time to address the toys and clothes that have been outgrown, alongside the ever-growing clutter. As I tackled the first closet, feeling accomplished, I stepped into the living room only to find my kids had taken full advantage of my distraction. In the mere twenty minutes it took me to clear out one closet, they had transformed the living room into a disaster zone—every sheet and blanket was piled high, stuffed animals were scattered everywhere, and my children were perched atop this plush mountain, munching on Cheetos straight from the bag.
At that moment, I had to step outside for a breather. This is the struggle of attempting to spring clean while living with little tornadoes. While I tidy one area, chaos erupts in another. The mess isn’t impossible to clean, but it consumes precious time that I can’t spare as a working mom. My children are not quite ready to tackle the cleanup without my assistance.
My partner and I are committed to teaching our kids to respect their surroundings and possessions. We encourage them to put away toys after playtime and to eat at the table to avoid turning our furniture into one giant snack stain. Yet, it often feels like they will never grasp these basic responsibilities. How many reminders does it take for them to remember to put their laundry in the hamper or to toss their trash in the bin? I can assure you, the answer is more than I ever anticipated.
So, if you drop by my home this spring and find dusty baseboards, sticky floors, and a cluttered living space that makes you want to turn around and leave, I apologize. I genuinely intend to spring clean, but this endeavor might have to wait until the kids are older and hopefully less messy.
For further insight into family life and parenting challenges, check out our related post about the intricacies of home insemination here.
In summary, spring cleaning can feel like an insurmountable task when living with young children who are still learning the ropes. While I strive to instill good habits in my kids and maintain a semblance of order in the chaos, the reality is that parenting is a balancing act. Clutter may reign supreme for now, but one day, I hope to enjoy the peace of a tidy home once again.