Taming the Chaos of the Spring Cleaning Routine
Guest post by Michelle from Blooming With Joy.
It’s time to clear the clutter and begin spring cleaning!
Although it's work, I love the feeling of a freshly spring cleaned home. My problem isn’t finding motivation for spring cleaning because I enjoy getting everything back in place. My issue is keeping things in order after my spring cleaning list is completed.
See, I have this feast or famine mentality. I clean like mad woman to check off all my boxes every day. As soon as the ink has dried on the check-list, it’s time to the start cleaning all over. Inevitably, I will skip a beat, fall out of sync, and completely give up for a week at a time, or longer. This ongoing cycle implies I, personally, am a failure. If you’re like me, sometime failure lurks like a dark cloud overhead. Let go of the guilt! Cleaning is what we do; it does not define us a person!
How to Tame the Chaos
My definition of clean was nothing less than perfect, spotless, everything in its place. I have learned that I live in my home. Striving for a model home with kids will only lead to frustration. To tame the chaos I needed to redefine the meaning of clean and change my philosophy towards cleaning. My new mentality eased my need for perfection and turned my focus to keeping the clutter moving and laundry fluffed.
Less is more: Figure out what you can realistically accomplish in a day, and then work on those chores. It is not possible to do it all. Your kids should be helping with chores of their own too!
Spring Cleaning Routine: Instead of deep cleaning once a year, do it more frequently to catch extra messes. Set aside time during a break week or take off a special day for a deeper cleaning.
Here is an example of how to tame the chaos:
- I would like the playroom organized. On a daily basis I just want to see the floor. Actually, I finally gave up and tossed the idea of having a playroom in our home. Each child keeps their toys in their room and they are then responsible for their room.
- I would like a spotless kitchen. Instead I focus on running the dishwasher and wiping the counter.
- I would like to do the laundry on a daily basis. I have found that doing it weekly often works better.
Doing a little cleaning every day does not result in a perfect home, but it keeps me happier and our home healthier.
Motivating Kids after Spring Cleaning
After I learned to tame the chaos, my challenge was finding a good chore routine for after spring cleaning. So I researched chore charts but none fit the flexibility of my life. I might schedule to clean the bathrooms on Wednesday but reality says it might be Friday before I get them cleaned. This was frustrating. So I came up with a Chore Card System that works really well and offers the flexibility I need as a homeschooling mom! My new eBook Motivate Kids to Clean: Chore Card System has a fully customizable chore cards and point system, inspiration for Mom, how to make a simple schedule, and more.
Motivate Kids to Clean: Chore Card System {Reg. $4.99} will be offered as a special deal to Imperfect Homemaker readers for 20% off.
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Encouragement for Mom
Do you struggle with check-list guilt or waver between perfection and chaos? Do you struggle with the temptation to replay the events over and over in your mind as self-punishment arises? My friend, God doesn’t love you anymore when you are perfect nor does he love you any less after you’ve blown it!
God’s very nature is Love.
He loved us before we became super mom and He loves us after we realize we are not. A woman’s superpower persona has existed for all of time. You are not alone in feeling tempted to avoid God when it seems your accomplishments lacking. Look what Jesus says to Super Hero Martha:
“Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)
Good things can be a distraction from greater things. There are things we need to tend to. However, we cannot discern our priorities clearly until we have been filled up by God’s word.
To truly tame the chaos of spring cleaning, make your quiet time daily priority number one.
I pray you begin Blooming With Joy through every chaotic moment, disappointment, and mess!
Michelle Pohl