My parents will laugh when they read this blog… my husband too. 

Growing up I was not the neatest person. I would like to leave my toys out. I would leave my clothes out. My shoes marked where I had been. My dad would always tell me to pick up my shoes, do my chores. I was stubborn and did it begrudgingly.

Now that I’m a mama I struggle with being overstimulated by a lot.  I now see the value of them telling me to clean up my things.

There’s a level of order and peace that comes when clutter is picked up. And a sense of anxiety when there are toys everywhere, clothes on the floor, and shoes out of place.

I am not perfect at picking up in the least. There are days where I have no energy to pick up or do the dishes. With four under four years old I often feel stretched thin and pulled in so many directions.

I have the kids to keep alive and nurtured, I have the house to keep tidy. I have food to go out and get and then make. I have myself to take care of. And I have my relationship with the Lord to keep at the top of my priorities list.

I had the privilege to go to the Teach Them Diligently conference this year. And I listened to a speaker named Margie Abbitt. And she reminded me that if the floors are clean the whole house will look better. Well, I will add… if the floors and kitchen counters are clean the whole house will look better.

So that has been my goal each night. Get my kitchen counters cleaned off. Trash thrown away, and get the toys picked up and put back in the playroom.

She gave me several ideas that will help me in my home now.

1. Clutter drills:
   • During a movie she would have “commercial breaks.” She and the kids would work together to pick up an “X” number of things. Then they would go back to the movie.
     • i.e. Clutter drill 5 – they would pick up 5 things and put them away.
2. Reminder Signs
   • Lists of what it means to have a room cleaned
     • i.e.This room is clean when…”beds are made, clothes are picked up…”
3. Laundry
   • Get a load done a day.
4. Everyone helps

She gave me the motivation I needed to go home and accomplish tidying up my house. Last week was a struggle because my oldest was sick, but we will just start over every day.

As Anne Shirley says, “Tomorrow is new with no mistakes in it.”

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What is something that you do to keep your house tidy and calm?