Stay Sane this school Holiday: Practical tips for Managing House Chores with Kids at Home

 

                                                   Mom overwhelmed with house chores

It's that time of year again - school's out and the kids are home! While it's wonderful to spend more time with our little ones, the added responsibilities can make it overwhelming. As a mom myself, I have mixed feelings when it comes to the school holiday season.

On one hand, I'm super happy that I don't have to wake up so early for school runs, but on the flip side, my kids are going to be with me 24 hours (Don't get me wrong, I love spending time with my kids, but that extra 6-7 hours I have to myself when they are at school is pure bliss). I hope you can identify with this feeling.

I sure know firsthand the struggle of trying to balance quality time with the kids and keeping up with the housework. This is why in this blog post, I will share some tips and tricks for managing household chores during the holidays while still enjoying time with your family.

1. Create a Schedule

mom creating a cleaning schedule

First things first, it's important to create a schedule. I cannot overemphasize the importance of this. This will help you stay organized and ensure that everything gets done. Make a list of all the tasks that need to be completed each day and for the week including cleaning, cooking, and laundry.

 To reduce overwhelm, try this tip - prioritize the most important tasks and break down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable ones.

2. Involve the Kids

kids helping with household chores

Another tip is to involve the kids in household chores. This not only teaches them responsibility and life skills but also helps to lighten your load.

 Assign age-appropriate tasks such as sweeping, dusting, or setting the table. You can even turn chores into a game or competition, making it more fun for everyone involved.

Come closer and let me whisper one secret reason why you should engage your kids in house chores. By channeling their extra energy into productive activities such as household chores, they can utilize their energy effectively, rather than exhausting it on you and leaving you drained. So, don't hesitate to enlist their help with household chores. Trust me, it's a win-win situation!

3. Cook in Bulk

cooking in bulk

Can I ask why kids are always hungry when they are at home? Mummy I'm hungry,What am we eating for breakfast,lunch and dinner? is a recurring question throughout the day.

This is why during the school holiday seasons, I find myself spending more time in the kitchen than necessary trying to fix some food or snacks for my kids. To save yourself the stress of cooking round the clock, which believe me is completely exhausting, I'll advise you to cook in bulk. Here are some more practical tips you can include alongside this suggestion

Here are some practical suggestions:

Plan a weekly meal menu: Sit down and plan a weekly meal menu for your family. Choose recipes that can be easily scaled up and make a grocery list accordingly. This will help you save time and effort in the long run as you'll have a clear idea of what needs to be cooked and when.

Cook in large batches: When you're cooking, try to prepare larger quantities of food than you need for one meal. For example, if you're making sauce/stew, make a double batch and freeze the leftovers for another day. This way, you'll have ready-made meals that you can simply thaw and reheat when you're short on time.

Involve your kids in meal prep: Depending on their age, your kids can help with meal prep tasks such as washing vegetables, stirring ingredients, or setting the table. This can be a fun activity for them and also lighten your load.

Freeze leftovers and meal prep for the week: After cooking in bulk, portion out leftovers and store them in reusable containers in the freezer. Label them with the date and contents for easy reference. You can also spend some time on weekends doing meal prep for the week by chopping vegetables or marinating meat so you have ready-to-cook components on hand.

Make use of time-saving kitchen tools: Consider investing in time-saving kitchen tools such as a food processor, a blender, or a vegetable chopper, which can help you cut down on prep time and make cooking in bulk more efficient.

Don't be afraid to ask for help: Remember, you don't have to do everything on your own. Don't be afraid to ask for help from your partner, family members, or friends. They might be happy to pitch in and support you during the holiday season.

4. Have a realistic view of keeping the house clean.

mom cleaning the home

One of the biggest challenges and reasons why we get exhausted and overwhelmed during school holidays is keeping the house clean. With kids around all day, it can feel like an impossible task. However, there are a few things you can do to make it easier.

First, create designated play areas for your kids to minimize messes throughout the house. If you don't set boundaries on where they can freely create their happy mess, you are setting yourself up for a day full of cleaning and tidying up.

Furthermore, please do encourage them to clean up after themselves and set a good example by cleaning up your own messes as well. This is a lifesaver.

Another tip is to make cleaning a part of your daily routine. Take a few minutes each day to tidy up and do a deep clean once a week. You can even involve the kids in the cleaning process by having them help with tasks

Set realistic expectations: Accept that the house may not be spotless during the school holidays, and that's okay. Lower your expectations a bit and focus on maintaining a functional and tidy home rather than striving for perfection.

Prioritize tasks: Make a to-do list of essential chores that need to be done each day, and prioritize them based on urgency and importance. This will help you stay focused and organized.

Involve the kids: Get your kids involved in age-appropriate chores. Encourage them to help with tasks like making their beds, picking up their toys, and doing simple household chores. This will not only lighten your load, but also teach them responsibility and self-sufficiency.

Delegate tasks: If possible, delegate some of the chores to other family members or hire outside help, such as a cleaning service, if it's within your budget. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

Break tasks into smaller chunks: Large chores can feel overwhelming. Break them down into smaller, more manageable tasks. For example, instead of tackling the entire house in one day, focus on one room at a time.

Remember, it's okay to ask for help and to not have a perfectly clean house all the time. 

Finally, don't forget to take breaks and enjoy quality time with your family. It's easy to get caught up in the never-ending cycle of housework, but it's important to take time for yourself and your loved ones. Plan fun activities like movie nights or picnics in the park. These little moments of joy will help recharge your batteries and make the holiday season more enjoyable for everyone.

In conclusion,I know managing household chores during the holidays can be overwhelming, but with a little planning and some help from the kids, it is possible to keep the house clean and still enjoy quality time with your family. 

Remember to create a schedule, involve the kids, make cleaning a part of your routine, and take breaks when you need them. With these tips, you'll be able to make the most of your time with your family this school holiday season.

Watch video on how kids can help tidy up the home

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