Spring can be a magical time.
A time to open up the windows and let the fresh breeze sweep through the house taking with it cobwebs and dust bunnies and the stale aroma of winter.
A time to fluff our aprons and twirl our brooms and sing joyfully as our home suddenly begins to sparkle and come alive like flowers bursting forth into this new season.
Okay, maybe not, but a girl can dream.
The thought of spring cleaning may not evoke sudden feelings of glee or excitement but it doesn’t have to be completely dreadful either. With a little creativity and effort (and a lot of grace), you may find that making your home sparkle and come alive can be more than just a fairytale.
Avoid Stress
- Make it teamwork. Be brave and allow your child to be part of the process.
- Keep it simple. Focus on one thing at a time.
- Remember grace. You won’t get everything finished in a day. That’s okay.
Be Creative
- Add fun, colorful, or helpful labels to bins and baskets when sorting. Let your child help sort the items (who knew organizing could be a learning experience?).
- Use collectibles as decoration or display (this keeps them safe and tidy).
- Select favorite pieces of artwork before throwing that pile of papers in the garbage. String wire from wall to wall for a smart, inexpensive way to showcase your child’s masterpieces.
Make a Checklist
It’s good to have a plan of action and checking things off a list can be rewarding. A checklist can provide direction and order and keep you on task. Decide what you want to accomplish before you start. Some things (aside from your normal cleaning routine) you might want to include on your checklist are:
- Declutter. Unlike the disappearing sock dilemma at our house, the issue with our kids’ toys is one of multiplication (happy meal toys, treasure box goodies, playground finds, etc).
- Clothes. Sell or donate clothes that no longer fit. Pack away seasonal items that can be used again next year.
- Trash it (broken toys, crayons, items that no longer work)..
Keep it Clean
To inspire your little angel to keep his or her room clean and organized, make a chore chart to hang on the wall or refrigerator. Add stickers for completed chores and for keeping toys in their proper places. Offer a prize once a certain number of stickers have been earned.
Trish has a free My Royal Duties Princess Job Chart Packet PDF file to help you get started.
See these tips for age-appropriate chores and make sure you aren’t doing everything solo!
Now, click your heels, wave that magical wand, or pick up that dust cloth! Put some spring in your cleaning and make your kids’ rooms sparkle. You don’t need a fairy Godmother; you have a plan of action!
Chore Chart: Trish at Prepared Not Scared
What do you think?