I thought it might be fun to start a new little series on some practical homemaking and parenting tips I have been learning over the past few years! I am not an expert by any means, and what works for our family may not work for yours. I always try to take all homemaking or parenting advice to the Lord and try to determine if it is something HE wants me to do.
So … with all that said … here are three tips (in no particular order) that are helping save my sanity during this busy season!
– I never stand around in the kitchen
Anytime I am in the kitchen, I am working on something. When I’m waiting for water to boil, I wash a few dishes or sweep the floor. Even if I’m reheating my coffee in the microwave for 30 seconds, I use that time to wipe down the countertops or put away some junk. My laundry is in the kitchen too, so I really never run out of tasks to do when I’m in the kitchen! Just by doing this tip every day, I am able to keep our kitchen pretty clean.
– My girls carry backpacks
Instead of carrying around all the girls’ stuff in a diaper bag or my purse, each of my girls has their own personalized backpack that they got around the time they started walking. It holds their sippy cup, wipes, diapers, and an extra outfit. They take these to church and pretty much anywhere we go. It’s nice that I don’t have to carry all their stuff in my bag, plus they have what they need in their classes at church.
– We do a house pick-up every evening
The girls help pick up their room each night before bed. When Tad and I put the girls to bed, we go through the house and pick up for 10-20 minutes (depending on how messy the house is). We just “surface clean” … no vacuuming or anything “hardcore.” It really helps to start the day with a clean* house!
*by “clean,” I mean “picked-up” … my standards are much lower than they used to be 🙂
Do you have any tips to share?
