Housekeeping Versus Homeschooling

I've heard there are homeschoolers whose houses are always neat. Who never lose a handwriting worksheet under a pile of manga drawings. Who can plop down in the living room without noticing a thicket of cobwebs underneath the bookcase.

To be honest, I've never met one.

Keeping a house clean can be a challenge for any parent with kids. Throw in the extra responsibility of working from home while helping with school work, and it's no wonder things can get a little messy.

As a veteran homeschooling mom once said, "Something has to give, and that's it."

So let me share some strategies for keeping the chaos at bay while still maintaining a livable environment.

Set Realistic Standards

Being a homeschooler doesn't mean you have to live in squalor. But giving up a little control, along with your fantasies of Instagram interior design perfection, can help you avoid burnout.

First, don’t compare your kids to anybody else’s. I once spent a morning holding my breath in the home of a mom who had trained her young twin daughters to respectfully avoid her collection of precariously-displayed glass knickknacks. I was very glad to escape with my two oblivious children without mishap.

The safest way to avoid having to be constantly on guard is to “child-proof” the spaces you share with your kids for the stage of life they’re at. They may not be toddlers, but if they’re spending most or all of their time indoors, chances are they’ve got a lot of pent-up energy to expend.

Make Your House as Kid-Friendly as Possible

You don't have to turn your entire house into a playroom, but create some areas where kids can be comfortable. Some ideas:

Use easy-to-clean flooring and furniture. Move valuable rugs to another part of the house. Cover your couch with a blanket. Get a vinyl tablecloth that lets you wipe up spills, paint, or glue easily.

Put books, toys, and crafts supplies at child level. If you can, rotate the selection of playthings to keep the offerings fresh and interesting. It can make it less likely kids will get into things they're not supposed to.

Find storage that kids can use themselves. Clear off some low shelves. Collect school materials in baskets and bins. Get plastic drawers to sort school supplies (and Lego bricks!). If your kids aren’t reading yet, print out labels with pictures so little ones know what goes where.

Teach Your Kids the Art of Housekeeping

Teaching your kids to keep house is a skill that will serve them well throughout their lives. And if you are keeping records of what your kids learn, you can file it under “Life Skills!”

Start with simple chores before they hit the tween years and they may even think it's fun. Young kids can help sort clothes or set the table. Older kids can do dishes, sweep the floor, make their beds, and care for pets.

To increase the odds that kids will cooperate, break down tasks into parts that are short and easy to manage. It only takes a few minutes to wipe down the bathroom sinks or the microwave, but getting those little jobs done makes your house feel instantly cleaner.

And if a family member has a favorite chore, let 'em at it. Some kids are happy to clean anything if you hand them a Swiffer duster.

Most of all, keep things in perspective. You've got a lot on your plate. Now’s the time to give up some control and let your family members share the burden – even if they don’t do the job up to your standards.

When you weigh what’s really important at this time, a house that’s safe and comfortable may be all you need for right now.