Many people wonder how to take care of three children and keep the house tidy without any help. Ms. Nguyen Kim Dung, a 32-year-old woman living in Hanoi, has received this question frequently. Taking care of a family and children may seem simple, but it is actually a busy and stressful task. However, Ms. Dung has discovered and self-studied various ways to organize the house and balance everything. Here are some of her tips:
Plan the meals for the next day
Before going to bed, Ms. Dung plans the meals for the next day. This proactive approach helps her manage her time better and allows her to prepare for the market visit.
She goes to the market every two days, utilizing her free days to exercise, clean the house, cook, and do laundry while the children play. By managing her schedule, she avoids overwhelming workload accumulation.
“Whoever is wherever, stay there”
Ms. Dung sets a principle for objects in the house: “Whoever is wherever, stay there.” Each item, regardless of its size, has a designated place, and all family members, including the children, follow this rule. Returning things to their original place after use makes cleaning up convenient and saves effort.
Ms. Dung explains, “After using cooking utensils, I wash or rinse them and put them directly in the dishwasher instead of leaving them on the table. Wet items like dishwashing gloves, aprons, and hand towels are taken out to the balcony to dry, not left in the kitchen. Spice bottles are never placed on the kitchen counter; they have their own designated spot.”
Avoid miscellaneous shopping
In the past, Ms. Dung used to buy many unnecessary things that ended up unused. As she started spending more time taking care of her children, she did not want any additional management responsibilities. She decided to break the habit of buying unnecessary items while browsing through e-commerce platforms. For essential items, she buys enough without obsessively collecting unnecessary things.
Simplicity
Ms. Dung prefers items with neutral colors, simple designs, and fewer details. These choices create a visually clean and tidy effect and are easier to clean. In terms of meals, she keeps it simple to save time. She usually cooks 1-2 dishes that are nutritious and uses the remaining time for other tasks.
She shared, “Instead of spending an hour working hard in the kitchen, in the afternoon, I marinate the meat, set the timer, and take the children for a walk. When we come back home, the meat is cooked perfectly as it was set to the timer. I quickly boil a plate of vegetables or make a simple soup.”
Utilize machinery
Since Ms. Dung doesn’t have household help, she relies on machines for cleaning. She mentions a portable vacuum cleaner as a great replacement for a broom, saving her labor.
“Effectively utilizing machines helps me save time and keep the house clean. Every day, I personally take care of my children, every small corner of the house, and cook simple meals. I believe that not only me but also many other mothers can keep the flame alive in the kitchen, bringing happiness to the family and making the home always warm for every member,” she revealed.
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