As the season of renewal rolls in, it’s time to think about that long-awaited spring cleaning. We all envision ourselves putting on those rubber gloves, scrubbing every corner of the house, and eliminating the clutter that weighs us down. But, let’s be real: achieving a pristine, mess-free home is a fantasy when you’re living with little tornadoes—also known as children—and a partner who thinks a sticky countertop is merely a minor inconvenience.
To be fair, my kids, aged four and six, are still mastering the art of cleanliness. My partner, while not a complete slob, has a different definition of “clean” than I do. I can’t stand jelly stains lingering for days, while he seems perfectly fine with them.
My cleaning ritual typically takes place on the weekends. During the week, I do my best to manage the dishes, but after a long day at work, I can’t bear the thought of rearranging throw pillows or picking up Lego pieces. I’ve tried to maintain order in the evenings, but it only leads to frustration, and no one wants to be around a frustrated mom. Thus, I reserve my “rage-cleaning” sessions for Saturday mornings, when I rally the family for a collective effort. I hand out chore lists, and while they groan and drag their feet, I remind them that I’m not their maid. They need to learn responsibility, even if it’s a battle every weekend.
Now, about spring cleaning—it definitely needs to happen, at least in my chaotic home. Who knows when I last mopped the floors or cleaned beneath the couch? With toys and clothes piling up, the clutter is overwhelming. It gives me anxiety, so I decided purging was a good starting point.
I was feeling accomplished after tackling a closet, but then I stepped into the living room and was met with total devastation. In the 20 minutes I took to clean one space, my kids had transformed the living room into a war zone. Blankets from the linen closet were strewn everywhere, stuffed animals were scattered about, and the overturned toy basket sat at the base of “Blanket Mountain,” where my kids lounged, munching on Cheetos directly from the bag.
I had to take a moment outside to gather myself because really? This is the struggle of spring cleaning when you live with little ones. While I’m busy tidying one area, another mess is being created elsewhere. My kids can’t even manage to fold blankets or vacuum up crumbs without my assistance.
My partner and I are trying to instill respect for our home in our children. We remind them to pick up their toys and eat at the table to avoid turning our furniture into a Cheeto canvas. But if I’m being honest, it feels like an uphill battle. How many reminders does it take for kids to learn basic tidiness? The answer is far more than I ever anticipated before becoming a mom.
So, if you happen to drop by this spring and notice dusty baseboards, sticky floors, and clutter that makes you want to flee, I apologize in advance. I promise I have plans for spring cleaning, but it might just be a few years down the road when my kids have matured beyond their current slob phase.
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In summary, spring cleaning can feel impossible when you’re surrounded by chaos. With little ones and differing standards of cleanliness at home, it often turns into a cycle of cleaning and mess-making that can be overwhelming. But with time and patience, hopefully, we will get there—eventually.
Keyphrase: Spring cleaning with kids
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