This year, I’ve been noticing more mommies resolving to have a tidy home (thanks, Marie Kondo), but there’s one question that I keep hearing: How do you clean up your house when you have kids?

We all know that kids are masters at creating clutter so what are we to do about the messes they make in our homes? What’s the point in tidying when they’re just going to come along and dirty it up again?

I won’t say that my kids don’t make messes. They totally do! But we manage to control the chaos because they are also amazing helpers!

Goose is fantastic about putting her toys away, lining her books up on the shelf, and tossing her dirty clothes in the hamper. And now that Belle is approaching two, she’s doing a lot of the same. There is no way that we would be able to keep things in order if both kids didn’t help.

But these tidying tendencies didn’t happen overnight. Their desire to clean up was developed over time with a few little strategies!

Start ‘Em Young

It’s never too soon to introduce cleaning to your child. Decide what chores you’d like them to help you with and start encouraging them as a baby.

Cleaning up toys is always a great way to begin because they have personal ownership over these items. When your little ones can pick up a toy with their hands, hold them near the toy bin and let them drop it in themselves. With lots of repetition and practice as they grow, they’ll be able to pick the toys up independently and put them in exactly the right place.

The earlier you implement good tidying habits, the easier it will be as they get older. Be consistent with clean up time and they’ll eventually catch on.

Clean Up in Front of Your Kids

Make sure your kids see you doing chores so they understand that your home doesn’t magically clean itself. Let them watch you fold laundry and wash dishes. Let them see that the trash gets taken out and that toilets have to be scrubbed. Establish that tidying up is part of your family culture and allow them to help when it’s safe and age-appropriate.

Modeling a positive attitude about chores is also more likely to make it appealing to them. If you act like you despise cleaning, they probably will, too.

A Place for Everything

… And everything in its place! Your child can’t be an awesome helper if they don’t know where things go. Have designated locations for all toys, clean and dirty clothes, books, and other items you want them to be responsible for. This eliminates a lot of confusion for your kids and keeps everything organized.

Make it Fun

Kids are more inclined to participate in cleaning time if it’s fun! And the best way to make it fun for young kids is with songs, games, and imagination.

Sometimes we sing a special jingle, sometimes we see who can put the most toys away, and sometimes we’re astronauts carrying moon rocks to our space shuttle. You can definitely choose whatever your kids respond to best, but make it something that you can all have a good time with!

Praise and Encouragement

Everyone needs a pat on the back for a job well done! Let your children know how much you appreciate their help and cooperation by complimenting their hard work. Hugs and high 5s are always awesome! The more excited you are about their help, the more willing they’ll be to continue!

All of these tips have made my kids amazing helpers now. Both love putting groceries away, they ask to help with laundry, and they get excited about arranging pillows when I make the bed. And while they still create giant messes daily, they truly enjoy doing chores with us and are awesome at helping to clean up.

Do your little ones help you clean? Tell me in the comments!

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