How to have a clean house with kids.

A messy house is all relative to the person that sees it. I can't be content when the house is messy, which means I was rarely content moving from room to room cleaning up after my 2 year old and 3 year old.

It all changed when I decided to implement a routine, or rhythm, to our day to include both kids helping to keep the house clean. 

I know you are shaking your heads... they are too small to be of any real help... however that's not true at all. My 3 year old is awesome at rinsing dishes and wiping counters. My 2 year old is great at putting things in the garbage, even if they don't belong there, and putting toys back into the appropriate room. 

Let's begin by establishing some routines around the messy times of day:

Meal time:

Any time you are in the kitchen prepping food, the kids should be helping in some way. Even very small children can help by:

• Rinsing fruits and veggies
• Setting out place mats, napkins, silverware, cups, etc.
• Wiping counters
• Sorting the clean silverware into the organizer.

You might need to change the location of some of your kitchen supplies, but doing so will help your children feel important and with enough practice, they will do this automatically for each meal.

After the meal is over, kids should be helping to clean up. 

• Rinsing utensils, plates, bowls, cups, etc.
• Wiping tables, counters, appliances, etc.
• Sweeping the floor. 
• Putting dirty napkins and towels into the dirty laundry. 

Keeping your kids busy doing kitchen tasks frees you up to load the dishwasher, attend to the bigger pots and pans, and get things back in order for the next meal.

Having your kids participate in mealtimes make kids both responsible and a functional part of a family. They feel needed and that is very important for every family member, no matter how young. Having a clean kitchen/dinning room area after each meal will make you feel accomplished too. 

Bath time:

Who says you have to hover over your kids while they are in the bath? Frankly, I find bath time pretty boring. This is the perfect time to wipe down the counters, clean the toilets, sweep the floor, or clean the mirror. Just make sure your supplies are already in the bathroom before you begin. 

Kids also need to help out. Put a squirt of dish soap in the tub when you are filling it and let the bubbles flow. Give them some sponges and scrub brushes and show them the soap scum line around the tub. They will have fun and your tub will be clean! 

I have limited our bath toys to only one basket full (it used to be 5!) and an array of bottles, scrub brushes, and sponges. They come up with all kinds of crazy scenarios while they are "cleaning" and they have way more fun than fighting over a toy duck. Try it!

Play time:

We don't have the luxury of having a playroom at the house, so the toys are limited to their bedrooms. There are no toys kept anywhere else in the house. Obviously the kids will drag and drop toys all over every room of the house, but when it's clean up time, EVERYTHING goes back into their bedrooms. 

This is the most difficult time to clean up after. Each toy they try to put away is like a new toy all over again. Use these tricks when it comes to keeping them on task:

• Clean up time should happen before naps and before bed. That way you can actually sit back and enjoy it before another toy explosion happens again.
• Never repeat an instruction. Say it once: "Put your fire truck away." If they don't do it - which they won't - start instructing them in how to do it. "Walk over to the fire truck. Yes, now bend over and pick it. Good, now walk it into your room." This is shockingly helpful. It's like they know what you want, but don't know how to do it. Or if your kids are older, they will probably not want you to talk to them like they are 3 years old. I don't know... report back.
• Clean up song. Pick a song that you all like and play it every time you want to clean up all the toys. It will be a fun way to enjoy that time together. However eventually you will need to change it because they will probably start to dread hearing that song.
• When you are done cleaning up smile at your kids and tell them how great the house looks. They should feel proud that they have helped to make it look so nice. 

The other stuff:

Laundry - I have to include this because none of us are immune to the dreaded laundry. Having kids means 1-2 loads a day to stay on top of everything. 

Very young kids can help match socks, fold wash cloths, hand towels, or napkins. They can put clothes away in drawers and they can sort lights and darks. Have them help, but if you start getting frustrated change activities. I have tried to let my 3 year old fold hand towels and I just can't do it. (Why can't she match the corners?!)  So I keep trying every few months and eventually she will get it. 

Outdoor play - As a person that hates messes, I really can't stand dirt and sand all over the house. We have outdoor toys that are not allowed in the house. We "park" the bikes in the "garage" when we are done playing with them, which is just a designated space outside.

This will take a lot more time out of your day, but having a good routine worked into cleaning that includes your children will make you a whole lot happier and it will groom your kids to be self sufficient one day and proud of accomplishing the little things.

Make no mistake... there are days I just can't find the energy to do any cleaning. There are days that the kids are helping prep dinner and I am pouring a glass of wine to ease the stress from the day. This is just a guideline to help you get some control over your house again. Do what feels right, but know that the more consistent you are, the less you have to do. Eventually your kids will know what they are supposed to do and they will do it with just a little guidance from you.

More to follow. I highly recommend Simplicity Parenting which is a wonderful guide for creating a less anxious, stress-free lifestyle. 

No Stress Mealtime

Unless your thing is being the health nut mama, you probably dread mealtimes.

The books say "...love should pour into your cooking so your children will be filled up with bliss and contentment. Each whole food is a gift your child will cherish. Sugar is poison so if you give it to your kids someone should call social services on you..." I was paraphrasing but you get the idea.

So there is more time for brushing the kids hair.

First of all STOP stressing about meal planning. Set yourself up with a simple weekly plan. Let's begin with the dreaded dinners:

Mondays: Pasta Night

Options: Mac N Cheese, Spaghetti, Alfredo, Lasagna, Manicotti, Pancetta Orchette, Pesto, etc.

The options are endless. Have the kids pick out their favorite noodles at the store. My kids love mini bowties and wheels.

Tuesdays: Mexican Fiesta Night

Options: Tacos, Enchiladas, Mexican Pizza, Loaded Nachos, Fajitas, Tostadas, etc.

The great part about this night is you can use the same ingredients with nearly every recipe:

Refried beans, taco meat, lettuce, torillas, cheese, tomatoes and sour cream.

Wednesdays: Soup Night

Options: Clam Chowder, Chicken Noodle, Tomato, Lobster Bisque, Chicken Tortilla, Veggie, Bean, etc.

Make it as fancy as you want. Add some salad and crusty bread and you have a complete meal.

Thursday: Make Your Own Pizza

Options: Make your own dough or buy the small pre-made ones. The toppings are endless.

We call it "Pie Night" with "messy sauce" (pizza sauce) and "sprinkles" (mozzarella). It is a win with everyone in the family.

Friday: Leftovers

Doesn't matter what day of the week you have leftover night, but make a night of it or food will go to waste.

Saturday: Stir-Fry

Options: PF Changs frozen meals, Chicken Fried Rice, Beef & Broccoli, Schezuan Chicken, or take-out!

Stir-fry is quick and tasty. Throw in all those veggies that are about to go bad and some soy sauce. You can't go wrong.

Sunday: Traditional

Options: Corned beef & cabbage, Pot Roast, Pork Loin, Steaks, BBQ Chicken, etc.

A big meal on sunday with a main dish and sides will at least ensure some leftovers for lunch options during the week. 

Kids love to know what to expect, especially picky eaters. The unknown, even if you know they will love it, is poison to them.  

This meal may not be a nutritional power house,
but it was put together in 3 minutes and there
were no tears from the kids (or me).

So what do you tell your kids when they ask "What's for dinner?"

Kids: I'm hungry.

Me: I'm about to make dinner.

Kids: What, no! I want oatmeal!

Me: Nope, it's Monday - Pasta Night. Do you want to pick the pasta shape and help me cook it? 

Kids: Uh... sure! (Yes a 2 or a 3 year old is a little easier to please with this phrasing than a 12 year old.)

Let's not stop at dinner. I said I was going to help you and I will!

Lunch is another tricky plan. I have to have something the kids can grab and eat because they can't seem to sit still when the sun is directly overhead. The lunch rotation is a little more repetitive, but it is also the meal that the kids neglect the most.

Mondays: PBJ

To make it interesting cut it into shapes... use cookie cutters or scissors.

Tuesdays: Roll-ups

Tortilla or wrap, + veggie cream cheese or hummus, + an option below

Options: Veggie burger, deli meat, veggies, lettuce, spinach, anything else you can think of 

Note: Keep it somewhat thin and spread the cream cheese or hummus over the whole tortilla to get it to stick together. A toddler will probably just like the tortilla + cream cheese.

Wednesdays: Grilled Cheese

Make it extra delicious by spreading pesto on the bread and adding thinly sliced tomatoes

Thursday: Fruit, Cracker, Cheese, & Veggie Tray

Friday-Sunday: Repeat above

I always give a veggie cup and fruit cup with lunch. Usually they will eat half a sandwich and ask for more fruit repeatedly.

Snacks: Keep it simple

Raw Veggies

Fruit

Cheese Sticks

Yogurt

Fruit Pouches

Protein Bars

Veggie Straws

Pretzels

Goldfish crackers

Breakfast for us is our biggest meal of the day and one that we all eat together, even when Daddy only has 10 minutes to spend with us before heading to work. Our meal plan might be a little over the top for families that have to leave very early in the morning. However... DO NOT under estimate the power of eggs. They cook SUPER fast and they are healthy and kids love them. 

We have a big breakfast every morning: Bacon, eggs, oatmeal, bagels, and fruit. 

We have this so dialed in that Kenzie (3 years old) cooks the eggs, Ketcher (2 years old) sets the table, while I make the rest and we have breakfast on the table within 10 minutes or less every morning. I load their plates with a little of everything and they decide what they want more of. 

On the weekend we try and do a pancake breakfast one morning, or some cinnamon rolls for a treat. 

Need variety? The options for eggs are endless... google it. Instead of bacon use sausage, or ham. Add some veggies to the eggs and make omelets. Do whatever you are in the mood for, just keep it simple.

Apple sauce is always a favorite, as long as
it's always served in this exact pouch.
No substitutions FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!

I hope I have given you plenty of food for thought... ha ha... okay that was cheesy... I just can't help myself.

Stay tuned for the next segment in simplifying your life.