I don’t believe a home has to sparkle and shine, no matter your family situation. As a single mom, I firmly believe that if I have to choose between quality time with my child and doing the dishes, it’s always clear: playing, talking, or reading together comes first.
Likewise, there’s nothing wrong with catching an extra 20 minutes of sleep instead of mopping the floor. Honestly, I don’t know who convinced us that a clean floor is more important than our own physical and mental health.
That said, I’ve also learned that a tidy home truly supports mental well-being. When I come home to a clean, cozy space, I feel calmer and more balanced than if everything were scattered around. That’s why I developed a weekly cleaning plan that helps me prevent chaos and stay on top of things—even while raising my daughter solo. I’m not claiming to have reinvented the wheel or hold the secret formula, but maybe my routine can inspire someone else to find what works for them.
Daily Tasks
Some small tasks don’t take much time but pile up quickly if skipped. That’s why I have a solid routine to keep things under control. For example, first thing in the morning, I put the kettle on, then while the water heats, I quickly make the bed and unload the dishwasher.
After breakfast, it’s just a quick load of plates into the empty dishwasher and wiping down the kitchen counter before the day kicks off.
In the evening, I load the day’s laundry, wipe the table and kitchen counters, and at least tidy up the toys in the living room. Before bath time, I start the dishwasher so the next morning I only have to unload it.
Weekly Tasks
I spread out weekly chores so I never spend a whole day cleaning.
Usually, I clean the bathroom on Mondays and run the robot vacuum in the rest of the apartment at the same time.
Tuesdays are laundry days, and I usually do the big weekly grocery shopping on Wednesdays. Thursdays are my lighter workdays—as a freelancer, my schedule is different from most people’s, and this day feels like a Saturday to me. That’s when I do a bigger tidy-up, check the fridge, dust if needed, and tackle one dreaded or time-consuming task like cleaning the oven or detangling the vacuum.
Outsourced Helpers
Honestly, as a single mom, I couldn’t stay this organized without some tech help. The dishwasher is a huge relief—daily dishes take just minutes. The robot vacuum with mop function saves me hours every week, and often when I get home, the floor is already clean.
If your budget allows, I highly recommend investing in these—they lift a lot off your shoulders.
Junior Organizers
It’s always been important to me that my daughter helps with chores in a way that fits her age—not as a burden, but as a responsibility and a way to contribute to a better, more comfortable life. When she was little, she helped through play; now she has bigger responsibilities: she keeps her room tidy, makes her bed every morning, and when it’s laundry day, she pulls the sheets off her bed and, with a little help, puts the clean ones on.
This isn’t just a help for me—it’s a great learning opportunity for her and fills her with pride to be part of keeping our home in order.
What If It Doesn’t Work Out?
While I generally think I’m good at keeping our home clean, that doesn’t mean anyone dropping by would always find everything perfect. Plans sometimes fall apart. If I’m sick, my daughter is sick, work piles up, or I simply have no energy, it shows at home. In those moments, the first step is accepting it and reminding myself that the world won’t end and I’m not failing as a mom just because the dishes didn’t get done or towels went two days without washing.
Once I’ve shaken off the self-criticism, I start re-planning: I think through what needs doing and decide which day I can fit it in if not today. If I have a bit of energy left, I tackle a tiny task—wiping the stove, loading cups into the dishwasher, or just tidying the couch. Often, even if I don’t fix everything right away, I feel a little closer to making our home a place that feels good to come back to. (Though honestly, it’s not about whether the table is spotless or the laundry basket is full.)
