Tips

Mother of 3 shares secret to a tidy home, social media goes wild

What is the secret to keeping our homes tidy and organized, a desire often shared by homemakers?

4 December, 2023

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“How to take care of 3 children without a helper but still keep the house tidy?” is a question that Nguyen Kim Dung (32 years old, Hanoi) often hears.

Managing a family and taking care of children may seem simple, but in reality, it can be extremely busy and stressful. However, Dung has been experimenting and learning how to organize her home to balance everything with the following tips:

Plan meals for the next day

Before going to bed, Dung usually thinks about what to cook for the next day. Planning ahead will help women be more proactive in managing their time and going to the market.

She goes to the market twice a week. On her free days, she exercises, cleans the house, cooks, and does laundry while the children play. When she has a schedule, she will reduce her tasks, so that everything is not piled up.

“Whoever stays where, stays put”

That is the principle that Dung has set for….objects in her house. Each item, no matter how small, has a specific “place” and all family members, including the children, are expected to follow it. After using, she puts things back in their original place for convenience and to save effort in cleaning up.

“After using cooking utensils, wash or rinse them right away and put them in the dishwasher, not on the table. Wet items like dishwashing gloves, aprons, hand towels, etc., are hung outside to dry, not left in the kitchen. Bottles of spices are absolutely not placed on the kitchen counter, but have their own designated spot,” she shared.

Avoid impulsive shopping

In the past, Dung used to buy many unnecessary things that ended up being unused. Later on, she dedicated more time to her children and didn’t want to manage additional items. She made a decision to “quit the habit” of buying unnecessary items while browsing through e-commerce platforms. For essential items, she buys what is needed, without being obsessed with collecting.

Simplicity

The mother of 3 children chooses items with neutral colors, simple designs, and few details. These are items that create a visual effect of cleanliness, tidiness, and are easy to clean. Regarding meals, she keeps it simple to save time. She usually cooks 1 – 2 nutrient-rich dishes and spends the rest of her time on other tasks.

“Instead of spending hours in the kitchen, in the afternoon, I marinate the meat, set a timer, and take the 3 kids for a walk. When we come back, the meat is cooked and won’t burn because I set the timer. I quickly steam a plate of vegetables or cook a simple vegetable soup,” she said.

Make use of machines

Since she doesn’t hire a helper, Dung often relies on machines for cleaning. For example, a small and portable vacuum cleaner has been a great replacement for a broom and helps her save labor.

“Efficiently utilizing machines helps me save time and keep the house clean. Every passing day, I still personally take care of my children, pay attention to every corner of the house, and cook simple meals. I believe that not only me but many other mothers, through this or other methods, keep the fire burning in the kitchen, lighting up the happiness for the family so that the home is always warm for all family members,” she revealed.