Tips for Keeping On Top of Mess When You Have Kids

Guest post by Nicola from Mum on a Budget

Parenting is a joyful journey filled with laughter, love… and endless messes. From scattered toys to sticky fingerprints on every surface, keeping a tidy home with kids can sometimes feel like an impossible task. However, with a few strategies it’s possible to stay on top of the chaos and maintain some semblance of order in your household. Here are some tips for keeping on top of mess when you have kids:

Give yourself grace

This is absolutely number one on the list of my tips. You can’t have an immaculate house with kids. Parenting is unpredictable and messes are inevitable. Accept that there will be days when the house will look like it’s been ransacked and that’s okay. Focus on the moments spent with your children rather than stressing over a spotless home. Remember that perfection is not the goal, and it’s okay to ask for help when you need it. Be kind to yourself.

Get the kids involved

As soon as your kids are old enough, teach them that they need to play a role in keeping the house nice. Explain to them the importance of picking up after themselves and taking care of their belongings. Set specific guidelines for where toys should be stored and what constitutes a clean space. Implement a one-toy-at-a-time rule. Obviously things won’t be perfect all of the time, but every little helps. Encourage open communication and praise your children for their efforts, no matter how small. When kids understand what is expected of them, they are more likely to take responsibility for keeping their surroundings tidy.

Use storage solutions

I am a big fan of the motto: out of sight, out of mind! I love the Ikea Kallax units – when my two were little I printed pictures of teddies and trains and blocks to attach to the Kallax boxes so the kids knew where to find things and most importantly, where to put things back. 

Use routines

Establishing a daily routine can work wonders for managing messes with kids. Create a schedule that includes designated times for cleaning up toys, doing laundry, and tidying common areas. Consistency is key, so try to stick to your routine as much as possible. Encourage your kids to participate in age-appropriate chores and make tidying up a fun and interactive activity. By incorporating cleaning into your daily routine, you’ll prevent messes from piling up and maintain a cleaner home overall. I personally practice a 15 minute “power tidy” just before going to bed as it’s nice to come down in the morning to slightly less chaos. Obviously there will be days where all routine goes out the window, but if we can stick to routines most of the time, things will be much more harmonious.

I hope these tips are helpful – I believe it is possible for parents to keep their homes tidy(ish) while still enjoying the chaos of parenthood. Remember, a little mess is a small price to pay for the joy and laughter that children bring into our lives.