15 Tips and Tricks to Homemaking with Kids

1. Put a load of laundry in every morning. This is some of the best advice my mom ever gave to me. On the days where we are too busy or out and about for this, it really sets me back if I don't get around to do it.

2. Avoid the clutter. I absolutely can't stand clutter. Sure it happens from time to time here, but the best way to avoid it is to restrain from making piles of little things here and there. Don't just pile up bills, art projects, clothes to put away, or items that you don't know how or where to organize them. Take the time to sit down and work through each pile, each day until there are no more piles of clutter. Another great trick is to go around the house with an empty basket and collect all of the piles of clutter and then sort through the basket as you can. 

3. Less is more. Well that is, if it's your style. Some people enjoy a cozy home filled with decor coming out from everywhere and treasures tucked into every crook and nanny. For me personally, I enjoy space and bareness but I am guilty of enjoying things too so it is always a battle. I strive for the less is more mindset and try to have myself only buy the things that I truly love. But in this case, it is all about what really makes you happy! 

4. Have a speed clean. As much as I want to clean during the kid's nap time, I often find myself either working (like I am right now) or napping myself. We live in an old house and I like to not run around during time as it can creak a little here and there. Once the kids are up from nap time, I have a power hour or speed clean. We do this before we can go outside and do anything else! Usually I put a movie on and put the baby in his jumper and I go around cleaning anything that needs it or putting up anything that needs to be put up. 

5. Clean up before leaving. One of the things that leaves me crazy is leaving the house a mess. I try my hardest to clean before we go somewhere for the day. I also make sure that before we head to go play outside or ride bikes, that the kid's room is picked up as well as my living room. I refuse to go make a mess outside before a mess inside is picked up. 

6. Teach them while they're little. My two year old and four year old know how to make their own beds. Sure sometimes I have to go behind them and sometimes my two year old refuses, but they can and often do this daily for me. 

7. Make the beds. As stated above, make the beds. A made-up bed makes for a happy home!

8. Have one cleaner for everything. Yes, that is right! One cleaner that can clean everything and eliminate nearly every other bottle you have hidden under your sink! We use the Thieves Household cleaner around our home because it is plant based and essential oil infused yet it is a natural disinfectant and safe for all surfaces! No toxins here from typical store bought brands. If you want more info on this, send me a message or email! 

9. Clean before the weekend. I don't always succeed at this, but I try. I try to do as much laundry before the weekend as I can and I try to have the housework complete. Doing this means that I can enjoy my weekend and if we are super busy, I won't fall behind too much. 

10. Fall in love with baskets. Wicker baskets are timeless classics to me that can work with nearly any home decor. Really any sort of basket with natural fibers is just purely beautiful and has endless possibilities. We have baskets hidden all over for quick toy pickup and more. It's easy to clean the living room quickly before leaving if there is a beautiful basket right there to put it all in. 

11. Have your children respect your home. While we are not super strict on something like this, there are boundaries. My children know that our sofa cushions and throw pillows are not made for taking off of the sofa for various play/activities. We have a few throw pillows in a basket that are used for lying on the floor, forts, etc... They know which they can and can't use. There's a lot of money and work that goes into making a home a home. While it should always be a fun place, there should also be a level of order that keeps things functioning and looking nice (and lasting -which is harder said than done with children). 

12. Always fear the unexpected visitor. Occasionally your grandmother or mother in law may stop by unexpectedly and you're embarrassed at the sight of your house. Believe me, it's happened to me too! Some days things just don't get done, but if it helps you any, always fear the unexpected visitor. Try to keep your home looking decent enough that you wouldn't have to defend yourself or feel embarrassed over a messy home if someone stops by. And if that does happen, cut yourself some slack and just remember that you are raising little tornadoes. Shish happens. 

13. Have a cleaning rhythm. I personally do not do this, but many people enjoy a cleaning schedule. Find what works for you and stick to it. Perhaps writing or printing out a schedule may actually help you get things done more efficiently. 

14. Don't be afraid to ask for help. As a stay at home mother to three children, it's easy to assume that I just do it all. My husband works hard and shouldn't have to come home and work some more. This is true, BUT, he still will. Most of the times I don't even have to ask, we just have things that we do together (like bathing the kids or cleaning the kitchen) that is part of our rhythm. Yet sometimes I do ask if he can help me catch up on folding clothes or unloading the dishwasher. Don't be afraid to admit when life gets too busy and you need a partner to have a cleaning power hour together!

15. Make it a happy home. Duh, right? We ALL want a happy home. Isn't it crazy though to think that we actually have to concentrate on this? The truth is though, sometimes we do! Life is busy, children are hard and sometimes we have to stop and remember to do the fun things that makes our home a happy home. Stay outside all day with the children. Grill outside as a family. Bake cookies or eat smores together on the kitchen floor. Turn the screens off and just live. There's various things that I try to do with my children that probably makes for more work for me, but I want my children to have the happiest memories to look back on. I want them to have simple memories of being at home and enjoying our time together. 

What are some of your tricks for homemaking with children? Obviously different things work for different people, and these are just some of the things that work for me. Share below some of your tricks as I plan to do a PART II soon on this post! 

Now, go clean something and go make some happy memories!