Chores, Kids, and My Messy Mental Health

There are few things I love more than a freshly vacuumed rug and a wiped-down kitchen counter.

There are also few things that send me into a full internal spiral faster than walking through the living room barefoot and stepping on three Legos, a sock, and what I hope was just a cracker.

Let me start by saying I don’t expect perfection. I have kids. I have a life. I know mess is part of the deal.

But I’ve come to realize that for me, having at least one or two clear, clean spaces—specifically the kitchen and living room—helps my brain breathe. The rest of the house can look like a small tornado touched down in it, but if I walk into the "mom and dad space" and it's semi-functional and toy-free, I feel okay.

It's like a trick of the mind.

Fake calm.

But it works.

Now, let’s talk about chores.

My 11-year-old has recently discovered that cutting the grass = cold hard cash. 💰

She’s obsessed. If it were up to her, she'd be out there three times a week wondering why she isn’t already rich enough to retire. She’s even started pitching me on new “weekly rates” and “bundled services.” It’s equal parts adorable and suspicious.

I love her work ethic. I also love her excitement for earning things. But I’m gonna need her to calm down before she gives the yard a buzz cut. 😂

We’re not perfect.Some days the dishes are piled high, and the dog hair could be mistaken for a new carpet.But we’re trying.

Check out my affiliate links that include a few of my favorite household items I use regularly to keep the kids semi-functional and organized while I can sort of stay in my happy mental space.

Overdoor organizer: This saved my sanity in my middle daughter's room. We literally use it for her stuffed animals. It holds so many and she can easily "clean" them up without a fight!

Crates with lids: I went one step farther and added vinyl wording to the front to help the kids keep them organized. It really works, once they can read I guess. HA! and I love that they are not see-through so I can look in the craft room and just see the organized tubs, not what is inside.

Clear organizers for drawers: My oldest secretly loves to organize and asked for these to keep her space clean in her room....then I got some for myself. HA

Teaching the kids that cleaning isn’t just “mom’s job.”Reminding myself that toys on the floor mean happy, busy kids.And accepting that a clean kitchen might just be my version of self-care.

So if your house is half-sparkly and half-disaster zone?

Same.

You’re doing great. Even if your grass is getting mowed more than your neighbors think is normal.

What it looks like for 5 minutes and I am so happy.....then it's gone before I even know it.