Kids dont keep tidy
If you have just one child, you've probably been in the same situation...
A still moment comes forth from the dark pit of mess that is your living room. You take your opportunity.
Quietly...
*picks up the toys scattered about. re-fluffs the pillows. Folds that darn blanket tent.
One glance behind... a trail of tiny humans throwing the things you just picked up as if it was their job.
AH! TINY HUMANS!
Expect a mess
Messy homes are lived in homes.
I love looking around and reminding myself that if my home was perfect, I would have no children running around, making tents from my fluffy blankets and taking my kitchen tools as their treasures. What a shame that would be.
BUT...
I do prioritize neetness.....
Giving my children the freedom to use their imaginations and make a mess...
comes with them helping pick it up. It's slow and coming but I have noticed over the last four years of my motherhood... it get eisier.
They do learn to pick up and they do learn to keep tidy... but before you can tidy up there must first be a mess ;)
Give them a rag
One of the best ways to keep a tidy house with small children.... let them help.
My children's favorite game is a wet rag helping me clean. Kids love to help.
It gives them a sense of pride and you a helper. Now, whether they are actually helping is debatable LOL! But it does give you a moment to clean up and them a learning opportunity.
Now, I'm not talking about the deep cleans, which, depending on your children's ages could help you with... more so, a quick wipe down of the bathroom or drying of the dishes.
Personally, my children love to follow me around and watch how I clean up and most often ask if they can help. It's easier for me to say, "no. go play." and finish the job quickly and efficiently...
but the long haul... helpful children learn at a young age through trial and error.
Reset
As a homemaker i've learned the art of a good reset.
Because, on any given day, if you decided to unexspectidly stop by, my house would probably have chocolate on the cealing, banana in the carpet and the dog would be walking around with a pair of underpants on her head.... all whilst the toddlers try to cox the baby to their room because they're playing a game and "need her" ....sketch.
A good reset seems to maintain the madness.
Setting my house upright again but still letting life move on. Also, giving me the opportunity to rescue the baby (and dog) as I'm not distracted by the mess.
5 minutes of simple resets throughout the day is how I best keep my home out of the tornado effect of imaginative toddlers, because, if your toddlers are anything like mine... Those imaginations run wild!
Photo by Valentina Locatelli on Unsplash
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