A Mum's Work is Never Done | Keeping Tidy this Summer.

Having the kids at home all summer long can be a blessing and a curse. While it certainly gives you opportunity to enjoy some fun activities as a family, it also means that there’s never a break from the spills and messes that kids are bound to make. Follow these tips to keep your home tidy this summer—even when your kids seem determined to destroy it:

Brainstorm ways for easy clean-up.
Encourage your kids to clean up after themselves by making it as easy as possible for them to do it. Instead of keeping their games and toys on high shelves, store them in eye-level cupboards, cabinets, and baskets. Organise toys by categories—board games, stuffed animals, dolls, etc.—and label the boxes so that your kids will be able to find them and put them away with ease. In the inevitable scenario that you have to do the clean-up, the labeling system will prove useful to you as well.

Write out a list of chores—and rewards—for your children.
Assign your kids two or three chores that need to be done on a daily basis. The chores can be as simple as making their own beds, folding the laundry, or keeping their rooms tidy. Then make them a deal: every week that they perform all of their chores to your satisfaction, they get a special treat. The incentive will help them to stay on top of their chores so that you have less work to do!

Photo credit: Vanessa's Values.

Clear out the clutter.
Have you ever bought new clothes or toys for your child only to discover that there’s nowhere to put them? The solution to your space woes is simpler than you may think: clear out all the unwanted clutter. If there are toys and games that your child no longer plays with, consider donating them to a local charity or selling them online on eBay, GumTree, or Preloved. Likewise, those old clothes can be donated or given to a family member or friend with a younger child. As for those old electronics, you can make some fast cash by selling unwanted video games online.

Eat lunch out.
Take advantage of the lovely summer weather by getting out of the house with the kids at lunch time. This doesn’t mean that you have to spend lots of money for a restaurant meal; rather, break out the old picnic basket and have your lunch in the garden or a local park. Eating outside the house eliminates the chance of your kids spilling their food and drinks on your table and floors. Plan to make something easy—like sandwiches and fruit cups—so that you don’t have to do the dishes when you get home.