Keeping a tidy home when you have kids around can feel like an impossible goal. Just when you’ve cleared the floor, a new set of toys appears. But the comforting news is, with a few workarounds, your home can be peaceful and playful, all at once. Here are a few ideas:  

Create play zones: 

As much as possible, encourage your kids to play in designated spots within a room. Guide them to a corner of the living room or a play mat in the bedroom, and slowly they will begin to recognize and respect the play zones. The goal isn’t to set strict boundaries, but to create zones of containment. So that, a quick clean-up of the play zones can be an easy goal at the end of a long day.  

Simplify systems: 

Setting up systems that are manageable and allow room for exhaustion can go a long way. Large catch-all bins – no sorting, just tossing – can be just the thing you need. Make a game out of it and get the kids to spend a few minutes at the end of the day putting things back into those bins. It can be a magic fix for cluttered floors and is also less time spent organizing toys (which are going to be pulled out anyway!). A win-win.  

Model order: 

If you have kids around, chances are, their stuff is going to be everywhere! So, try not to add your clutter to the mix too. Consider using bins, containers, or hanging shelves (that your kids can’t reach) to reduce visual clutter. Besides, most habits are learned than taught. When you make it a point to put away your things, you’re setting an example for your child too.  

Declutter regularly:  

Kids grow fast; their needs and likes change faster. Going through your kids’ items regularly and decluttering broken toys and outgrown clothes is a way to make space for current needs. Donate what you no longer use. Recycle what’s broken. And consider toy rotation: store some toys away and bring them out in cycles. It keeps things exciting for your kid and less overwhelming for you.   

Maintaining a clutter-free home with kids is no easy task. Remember, don’t beat yourself up or hold your children to unrealistic standards and expectations. It is more important for your kids to have a happy home than a prim and proper one. And sometimes, the best thing to do is to bless the mess and move on!