Chores are things that we all know we have to do, we run through the motions each day but don’t enjoy or even speak about. Being a busy, working mom, I often find myself prioritising other things above the tidiness of my house. Let’s face it, there just aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything! Yes you got me, cleaning isn’t my favourite thing to do, and that’s okay. I do, however, love being in a clean and tidy space – and yes, there is a difference between the two. What I also know to be true is that I am not the only one who feels this way. The mere fact that there are so many videos on YouTube with tens of thousands of views titled “cleaning motivation” or “clean with me” tells me one important thing; other moms are struggling too!
With that in mind, I have picked a few things that help me stay sane, keep the roaches away and ensure that there are no unidentifiable pieces of food laying around for my toddler to pop in her mouth. Let’s jump right into it!

Load the dishwasher at night, unload in the morning
Strangely enough, I don’t always have any issues with washing dishes by hand, I actually find it rather therapeutic! It just so happens that not every day is the kind of day that I have the extra fifteen to twenty minutes to spare for the suds and sponge. Ok, let’s just say I never have the time for it even. It doesn’t matter that I fit in time for series, blogging, and anything else that isn’t related to chores. That’s not the point at all. In the words of my friend who decided to buy two dishwashers for her kitchen – “it isn’t an efficient use of my time!”
A simple process that we have adopted in my house is that you use it, you shove it in the dishwasher. That way, at the end of the day you just turn it on! Simple and easy right? Clearing the dishes away immediately means that you spend less time scraping, rinsing and loading your dishwasher.
Limit the time you spend on chores by tidying up before bed
if you can spare about 10 minutes to just throw some things in place before you call it a night, it will definitely make your next day start off better. I’m not sure what it is about walking into a clean/organised room that works wonders on stress levels. Whatever it is, that’s why they recommend that you at least make your bed first thing in the morning. Imagine walking into your living room and realising that the only thing you need to do is just sit down and put your feet up? Well, that’s assuming you’re going to be home the next day.
Marinate the food when you buy it
I’m not sure if this is applicable to everyone, but having grown up in a Portuguese household, it would be an insult to serve unseasoned food. We generally season our food the day before cooking it, or at the very least first thing in the morning. Seasoning all meat and poultry immediately and letting it sit in the fridge overnight before freezing is my favourite hack. It makes meal prepping quite simple and less time consuming. All you need to do to is defrost it and cook it when you’re ready to feed your belly!
Designate play and eating zones
Growing up with my dad, I always hated the ‘off limits’ zones of the house. It made home feel like a hotel, so I vowed to never implement that rule when I got my own family. That mindset fast changed after I have found a smoothie stain on the carpet in our rental apartment, dried fruits under our couch (which were most likely fresh when they made them there) and crumbs in the bed. I still believe that a house with too many restrictions isn’t really a home, but a house where mama is mad is way worse! Establishing where the kids can throw their toys all around without any repercussions is really important. Also, establishing eating zones makes the cleaning so much easier when it needs to be done.
Use and return
This is probably the easiest one to implement but one that most people struggle with – myself included. How does this work? You literally use something and then – you guessed it – put it right back! Can you imagine how easy it would be to clean up if everything was already in its rightful place? When you have younger kids, it does become a bit more challenging. However, if you have already established play zones and are teaching them how to pack away their toys, your life will become so much easier!
Hire help
As busy mom’s, sometimes we just have to admit that we can’t do everything on our own and get help where needed. For me, that means getting someone to come in and do a deep clean once or twice a week. That way I can focus on just tidying up the rest of the days.
Remember the difference I mentioned? Tidying up is just putting things in their place but cleaning is actually scrubbing. Cleaning doesn’t have to be done every day so hiring someone a few times a week is enough. It’s a great way to restore those stolen hours from your day and allow you to bond with your family. I know that many people do not condone hiring help to clean, but the way I see it, it is creating jobs for individuals and companies. Why not help the community grow and allow myself some extra time with my family?
There are more things you can do to make chores less taxing, but these simple tricks did it for me.
If there’s something I missed, do spill the tea! What are some of the tricks you use to make sure you stay on top of your chores?
These are all great Shelly! I really like your perspective on having someone come in to clean so you can spend more time with your family and focus on more important things. Plus the addee bonus of helping someone earn money especially during this pandemic where jobs are more scarce. I think I might implement this where it’s a struggle for me to clean when I get really sick and I don’t want that burden to always fall on my husband.
Thanks Amy 😊 You really should if it’s something that wouldn’t hurt your finances too much. That way he can also get a break. Although I’m sure he doesn’t mind doing anything for you 💖
My G is a gem! ❤ I know he doesn’t mind picking up the slack but it would make me feel better knowing that he could do something he enjoys like running or reading instead of cleaning. Thankfully this is something I could find room in the budget for and it would be a win win all around 😀
Very useful tips Shelly😊
I liked the thing you said if there are so many rules it’s not a home.
I too feel the same and I am happy in my Nest 💕
Thanks Manisha 💖 I’m glad you’ve made your nest a home! Happy cleaning 😜
Lol this post came in correct time Shelly we were busy in decluttering our home and I feel happy when I keep my surroundings clean and tidy.
Happy Sunday Shelly 💖
Great tips!! I struggle to teach my 4 year old the use & return concept… to use one toy and then put it where it belongs in its home. It doesn’t always work and most of the time the toys remain on the floor. But I’m sure it will get better as she gets older
Thanks for reading Helen💖 4 years is quite young so she might take some time, but since you’re starting early I’m sure it will stick with her in the long run. Good luck and happy cleaning! 🥴
great tips Shellhy! Now I wonder what the fuss is all about in keeping it clean at all and then all the kids come home and i remember. good job
Thanks Cindy! You’re lucky you can forget. My toddler does this thing where she helps me pack away and then picks up whatever we’ve cleared and drops in on the floor with a chuckle. The struggle is real! 😅
When they come home I remember… they still trail things all over. Now I just close the door or put their stuff away in neutral places so they have to hunt for them. This way they think a little bit more before slopping up the place. There is something primal about going home. I wish I had been more relaxed when they were young but the clutter drove me crazy! 😜
Great tips Shelly! 👏
Thanks hun <3
These are great. Dishwashers aren’t the norm in Jamaica, and even when we are overseas, we tend to still hand wash for a lack of patience. I season meat bought as it being without being parcel like and season mean I might not cook it for weeks! I like to pick up after kiddo has has gone to bed too, but there are also some days when I decide I’m tired and that tomorrow is another day! ✌🏽 Lol great post Shelly!
Fair point 😅 dishwashers are pretty standard where I am lol. We don’t have to be perfect as parents, it’s normal to be tired and push things over. The only problem is that it piles up 😭
Thanks for reading Shandean 💖
My mom taught me to clean as I go. I do not have a dishwasher well I do but it is me-I am the dishwasher. When I am cooking I also am washing any dishes left from during the day when T is home or putting away from the night before (I am lazy woman I let dishes drip dry) cleaning counters. As I dish out supper I usually am cleaning any pots. Frying pan is usually washed last with dinner dishes.
I use to have set days (off) when I would do full on house clean.
Floors.
Bathroom.
Laundry (big stuff like linen) I do laundry constantly
Etc.
Now I do it throughout the week so it is not a solid chunk of time missing and I do a little each day.
Makes for feeling accomplished.
Sorry running away at the mouth again. Have a great Sunday!
Oh and T is learning slowly but learning how to help with the clean up.
Gosh Jay I really missed your detailed comments on my feed! I hope this means you’re back to being social again! 😛
You’re clearly more organised than I am… I hate hate hate everything about cleaning!
I did too until I got my own apartment. I hate cleaning still just break it down to daily big stuff tackles easier. 😘
I am trying. 😘
Like you, I am not a fan of housework. I would gladly hire someone to do it but my husband is funny about having strangers in our house. I find it works best to just do a little bit every day. Except for laundry, I tend to leave that all for the weekend.
You know, a stranger will not be one for too long once you get to know them! But I hear you.. As long as you have a routine that works for you, that’s all that matters. Laundry should just clean itself honestly!
Great post! I honestly try to do my chores..1 or 2 chores a day.. My bed I do it everyday when I get up. I try to stay on top of all my chores and thank God for not having a big house. Live for the advice!
Cata🎄🤶🏾 http://beautyofcafe205.blog/
Fabulous post! So, here’s the thing: I am super organised and very tidy (Yes, I am a reformed hoarder). However, my family (yes, Linda included) are not. The score: Family 4, Dad 0. Like all things, I chip away during the day and sometimes other members will pitch in too. I think though, now that I am resurrecting the gardens etc, I have full control and no one is game to mess with that 🤣
Wow you sound like an excellent person to have in the house! Please send some of your cleaning spirits to me this Christmas? I absolutely hate doing it! And while you’re at it, I’d love some help with gardening too 😂
Cleaning and gardening spirits are on their way 🎄🎅🎄
Stuck in customs, but I’ll let you know when they are released 😛
🙂 One of the best ways of conquering chores is to do twenty minutes of them at a time.
Do keep in mind, that one of the reasons why people hate doing chores is because we find them cumbersome. Therefore, breaking them up into certain time frames makes them easier to accomplish (Well, at least, that works for me).
Thanks for publishing an interesting topic, Shelly.
That’s actually a great idea! My only issue is that I get distracted easily and would forget to continue lol but I’m gonna try it anyway.
Thanks for reading and welcome to GWS 😊
Hey Shelly, I loved your tips. I too have struggled with balancing all and yes even though I hated the rule of designated areas while growing up…now I have started limiting after my son spoiled our sofa for 2nd time.
Haha it happens to the best of us! Kids will be kids though 😅 are the rules working this time around?
Thanks for reading, I appreciate it!
I do like to season the chicken the day before we cook it. Taste so much better. The last tip, hire help, I didn’t even think about that until I read Kingdom Woman by Chrystal Evens Hurts and she mentioned this as well, in knowing when to ask for help. Great post! Loved it.
Thanks for reading and sharing Heidy. I also prefer to season the food a day or two before and let it sit in the marinade but when life gets busy, even making dinner becomes such a chore 🙈 you gotta share your secret. How do you cope?
Marinate the food when you buy it!! That is a great tip!! I’m going to start doing that.😁
I like my house to look neat and tidy but I hate cleaning too! Decluttering has really helped. 👏
Yes, now that you’ve mentioned it decluttering is a very important step to keeping things neat! Did you know that there are some people who actually enjoy this chore?! Crazy right?😂
Thanks for reading 💖