Before becoming a mom, my Friday evenings followed the same peaceful routine. I’d come home after work, do a full house reset, light some candles, and unwind in the bath with a glass of wine. This ritual allowed me to start the weekend with a clean home, free from the stress of chores. It was my way of setting the tone for a restful and refreshing couple of days.
Then, I became a mom.
Suddenly, my carefully structured routine was no longer realistic. I’d start cleaning, only for my baby’s nap to be much shorter than expected—or, even worse, for my child to refuse to nap at all. The uninterrupted time I once had to reset my home disappeared overnight, and I quickly realized I couldn’t keep up the same schedule.
At first, I felt overwhelmed. I asked myself, “How am I ever going to keep my house clean with a child here?” No matter how much I tried, something always seemed out of place. As the weeks passed, I knew I had to shift my perspective. The reality was that my entire house was not going to be spotless all at once—not for years, at least, until my children were older. And even then, life would continue to bring new challenges.
I share this because if you’re anything like me, you might be a perfectionist. Maybe you’ve found yourself putting off cleaning because you don’t have enough time to get everything done in one go. But let me tell you what I’ve learned: It’s okay. This is your permission to give yourself grace. One day, your home will be clean from top to bottom in a single day, and your kids will be old enough to help. But for now, embrace these fleeting moments. Hold your baby. Enjoy this season of life. The mess will still be there when you’re ready for it.
Shifting to a Sustainable Cleaning Routine
Once I accepted that a perfectly clean house wasn’t a daily reality, I started creating a new system—one that worked with my life instead of against it. I needed a flexible, sustainable cleaning schedule that would keep my home functional without requiring hours of uninterrupted time.
The key? Small, manageable daily tasks combined with a simple weekly routine. This approach helps me stay on top of things without feeling overwhelmed. And the best part? If I miss a day, I don’t stress—I just move on to the next one.
Daily Tasks
These are small things I do each day to keep the house from spiraling into chaos:
- Make the beds
- Wash the dishes and wipe down the counters
- Tidy up living spaces (put away toys, fold blankets, wipe down surfaces)
By tackling these quick tasks daily, I prevent messes from piling up and making cleaning feel like an impossible mountain to climb.
Weekly Cleaning Schedule
Instead of trying to deep clean the whole house in one day, I break it up throughout the week:
- Monday: Laundry Day
Mondays are for washing and folding clothes. I try to get it all done in one day so it doesn’t drag into the week. - Tuesday: Bedrooms + Floors
I tidy up bedrooms, dust surfaces, and mop or vacuum the floors. A clean floor makes such a difference in how fresh the house feels! - Wednesday: Bathrooms
I give the bathrooms a good scrub—wiping down sinks, mirrors, and counters, and giving the toilets and showers a quick clean. - Thursday: Rest + Family Time
My husband is home on Thursdays, so instead of spending that time cleaning, I make a point to enjoy our time together. - Friday: Sheets + Reset for the Weekend
Fridays are for washing sheets and doing any last-minute tidying to prepare for a fresh weekend.
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Mindset Shifts That Made All the Difference
Beyond creating a routine, I’ve also had to shift my mindset about what a “clean” home really means. Here are a few reminders that have helped me embrace a more realistic and peaceful approach:
- Done is better than perfect.
I used to think that if I couldn’t do it all, I shouldn’t do it at all. Now, I remind myself that even small progress is still progress. A five-minute cleanup is better than nothing. - The house is for living, not for looking perfect.
My home is meant to be lived in, and that means it won’t always look like a Pinterest-worthy space—and that’s okay! A little mess means love, laughter, and real life are happening here. - There will be a season for a spotless home. This is not that season.
There will come a day when my house stays clean for more than five minutes. But today is not that day, and I refuse to waste these precious years stressing over it.
Practical Tips for Staying on Top of Cleaning as a Mom
If you’re struggling to maintain order in your home while balancing motherhood, here are a few things that have helped me:
- Set a timer. If cleaning feels overwhelming, set a 10-minute timer and see how much you can get done. You’d be surprised at what you can accomplish in a short burst of focused effort.
- Clean as you go. Wipe down the counter while waiting for your coffee, do the dishes while dinner is cooking, or tidy up toys as your kids move from one activity to the next.
- Lower your expectations. Some days, you’ll be productive. Other days, survival is enough. Give yourself grace and adjust as needed.
- Make it fun! Play music, listen to a podcast, or turn cleaning into a game with your kids.
Finding Peace in the Imperfect
Motherhood changes everything—including how we keep our homes. But that doesn’t mean we have to live in constant chaos. By adopting a realistic cleaning routine and shifting our mindset, we can maintain a home that feels peaceful enough without sacrificing the moments that matter most.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the mess, take a deep breath. Tidy up a little if you can, but if not, let it be. Hold your baby, soak in the snuggles, and remember: the mess will wait, but these moments won’t.
What works for you when it comes to keeping your house clean as a mom? Share your tips or struggles in the comments below!
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