Got cleaning to do?
As I fumed scrubbing the walls of my boys’ bedroom, trying to erase whatever foreign substance they had managed to leave behind—maybe slime, candy they snuck up there, or some jelly from a sandwich that somehow flew through the air during their wrestling and eating session—I couldn’t help but feel perplexed. I had done all the things. I had simplified the number of clothes, shoes, and blankets. For over four years, I studied, read, and listened to hours of podcasts on how to keep a home manageable, yet it still wasn’t done. I even wrote a book about the positive tips and tricks I used….and it did help.
But, no matter how much you declutter, the reality is you’re left with maintenance. Even after getting rid of 80% of your belongings, there’s still the daily upkeep of normal living. With five kids in the house, it sometimes feels like I can never catch my breath. I signed up to be a stay-at-home mom, but honestly, I didn’t realize it would be endless Cinderella tasks day in and day out. I’m not complaining about housework—I’m frustrated by how much time it continues to take.
So here I am, back at the drawing board. It has to be done better. My next step? Limiting my girls’ clothes to just 5-7 outfits per season. The boys are already down to that, but it’s so hard when there are so many cute outfits calling their names. My husband challenged my idea of spending only an hour a day on housework—including grocery shopping and errands—but I’m up for the challenge. When he asked where I got such a crazy idea, I told him, “me.” He said it wasn’t possible, and as a determined redhead, I’m absolutely ready to prove otherwise.
Stay tuned as we tackle this for a couple week by week entries, and I’ll share my tips on how I’m trying to crack the code on home life.
Don’t get me wrong—I love my family. I love being home with my babies and taking care of them. I just believe it can be done better and with a better mood. I don’t want to feel like the life is sucked out of me every time I grab a magic eraser to wipe the walls.
Here’s the first tip: baskets. This has been tried and true. I kept switching things up to see if something else would work better, but it didn’t. Even with one to two loads of laundry every day, disaster still lurked around the corner. Each kid has a basket in the laundry cabinet where I can quickly throw their clothes without folding. Straight from the dryer to the basket, and then on to the next load—it really takes less than five minutes. If the basket is overflowing, it’s time to purge again. They know where to get their clothes right next to the washer and shower.
Now, my goal is to get the girls’ clothes down to just one basket per season. It’s a challenge, and I’ll admit it’s hard to pay the price, but how much actual time will I be saving? It’ll be worth it.
According to a 2023 study by the American Cleaning Institute, the average person spends over 6 hours per week on household chores. For moms managing large families, that number can be even higher, often leading to burnout and stress. I want to change that for my family—and for myself.
As the Bible reminds us in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
I’m learning to find the right season for balance and peace in our home…and let’s be real, it’s time to enter cleanings wars. It’s a war zone in my house and in my mental state to finally say goodbye to more chores and yes to more board games with my kids.
Let’s go!
Rach
Rachel Redlin is a columnist, author, journalist, and award-winning radio host. She lives in Northwest Kansas with her husband and five children, where she writes about faith, food, and the simple everyday life. Want to read more or contact us? You can subscribe to the FREE newsletter at www.simplybloominggrace.com
Want some help with where to start? We’ve chosen a few items to encourage and equip you with being uncomfortable. Click the links below to find out more!
Have you read our latest book release? Check out and read The Well today!
Note: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Simply Blooming Grace. You can read our privacy and security policy HERE.
Simply Blooming Grace 