As the spring season arrives, we often feel compelled to don our cleaning gloves, scrub those neglected corners, and declutter our homes. The concept of spring cleaning is enticing—a fresh, tidy space free from unnecessary items sounds wonderful. Who wouldn’t want to reclaim their home from the clutches of clutter? I mean, let’s start with the mountain of toys! However, reality has a way of complicating the best-laid plans, especially when you share your space with little ones who have yet to grasp the art of cleanliness.
To be fair, my children are still young—just four and six years old—so they are in the process of learning how to not contribute to the mess. My partner, while not a total slob, has a different threshold for “clean” than I do. For instance, I can hardly tolerate a sticky jelly spot on the counter for more than a few minutes, while he seems to be just fine with it lingering for days.
In this current routine, I dedicate my weekends to tackling the chaos. Despite my attempts to manage the dishes and laundry during the week—while balancing a job outside the home—my evenings are consumed by the demands of parenthood, which leaves little time for organizing or cleaning. I’ve tried to tidy up during the week, but it tends to lead to frustration, and nobody wants to deal with a frustrated mom. Hence, I save my cleaning energy for the weekends, which I refer to as “rage-cleaning.” This term aptly describes the emotional turmoil that arises when I discover yet another empty juice box hidden behind the couch for the third time.
Every Saturday, I gather the family to partake in damage control. I hand out a list of chores, and though the complaints are plentiful, it’s crucial that they learn responsibility. After all, I’m not their maid, and they need to understand the importance of living in a tidy manner.
Now, about that spring cleaning—it’s a necessity in my home. Clutter is at an all-time high, and I can’t even recall the last time I mopped the floors or cleaned under the couch. As winter has come to a close, toys and clothes have been outgrown, prompting a much-needed purge. Feeling accomplished after clearing out the first closet, I stepped into the living room to find my children had taken full advantage of my absence. In the span of just twenty minutes, they managed to create a disaster of epic proportions. Blankets, stuffed animals, and toys were strewn everywhere, with both kids sitting atop their makeshift mountain, munching on Cheetos.
In that moment, I had to step outside and breathe, because—what on earth? This chaos exemplifies why spring cleaning is a near-impossible task when living with little tornadoes. While I’m focused on one mess, they’re busy crafting three more in another area. Although the mess isn’t insurmountable, it requires time—something that is often scarce for a working mom. My children need assistance to fold the blankets they’ve spread out or to vacuum up the inevitable snack crumbs.
My partner and I are doing everything we can to instill a sense of respect for our home and belongings in our kids. We encourage them to pick up after themselves and to eat at the table to avoid turning our furniture into a Cheetos canvas. However, it often feels like we’re fighting a losing battle; how many times can you remind them to put their laundry in the hamper or dispose of their trash properly before it resonates? The answer is far beyond what I ever imagined before becoming a parent.
So, if you find yourself visiting my home this spring and notice the dusty baseboards, sticky floors, or an overwhelming amount of clutter, I apologize. Spring cleaning is on my to-do list, but it may very well be a task for a future season—perhaps when my children have outgrown their messy phase.
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In summary, spring cleaning presents unique challenges when cohabitating with young children, as their playful nature often results in continuous messes. While I strive to maintain order, the reality of parenting during this phase means that perfection may have to wait until the kids have matured.