When we were children, our moms took care of us and cleaned the house usually without the benefit of any help whatsoever. They seemed to manage it all! Today, families seem busier than ever and spending time cleaning the house can often be overwhelming. If you are a mom with children, and feel the strain of caring for them while trying to keep your home as clean as possible, here are some tips on how to creatively combine childcare and housecleaning at the same time.

There are two schools of thought: While some moms may suggest children are more important than cleaning the house; others would take the point of view that without being a neat freak, you can still keep your house modestly clean. Which brings us to our first tip: readjust your thinking about how perfect the house should look, and just concentrate on doing what you can, when you can. If the children are napping; take the time to dust each room. If you have toddlers; have them play in the playpen for about 15 minutes giving you ample time to vacuum.

Try not to accomplish everything in one day; set up a schedule and give yourself 15-20 minutes each day to finish a particular chore. After the children have gone to bed, use the time to wash the kitchen floor; or finish a load of laundry. On the weekends, ask your husband or children to help you. Or, assign simple tasks; whether it’s asking the children to tidy their rooms, or having your husband take care of the children while you tend to the house.

While housecleaning is necessary, it doesn’t have to be perfected by any stretch of the imagination. What good is a clean house if you are totally exhausted by the end of the day? Just take it one day at a time; and limit your expectations.