Keeping On Top of Housework During the Summer Holidays (Without Losing Your Mind)

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Let’s be honest—summer holidays are a magical time for slow mornings, family adventures, and a break from the school run… but they can also bring a very lived-in house, overflowing laundry baskets, and crumbs in places you didn’t know crumbs could reach.

When the kids are home all day, the rhythm of the home changes—and it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly cleaning up, or never quite catching up. But with a few gentle systems, shared responsibilities, and a mindset of progress, not perfection, it is possible to keep your home ticking along without burning out.

Here are some kind, realistic tips to help you stay on top of housework while enjoying your summer together:

1. Loosen the Routine—But Keep a Gentle Rhythm

Rigid schedules might not work during the holidays, but a soft daily rhythm can help things feel less chaotic. Try anchoring certain tasks to parts of the day:

• Morning: quick tidy of bedrooms and breakfast area
• After lunch: 10-minute reset or everyone pitches in for a chore
• Before dinner: clear surfaces and sweep shared areas

This light structure helps keep the house from becoming overwhelming without running like a boot camp.

2. Involve the Kids (Really!)

Even young children can help with small tasks—and many actually love the responsibility when it’s framed positively.
Try:

• Making a simple summer chore chart (with stickers or checkboxes)
• Family “Power Clean” sprints—everyone cleans for 10 minutes to music
• Assigning daily helpers (e.g., one child helps set the table, another waters the garden)

Keep it age-appropriate and low-pressure. It’s not about perfection—it’s about learning to be a team.

3. Lower the Bar (And Let Go of Perfection)

There will be mess. There will be laundry. There will be crumbs. Let some things slide so you can enjoy the moments that matter.
Decide what’s essential (like clean dishes and fresh clothes), and let the rest take a back seat some days. A lived-in home doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re living.

4. Use Pockets of Time

Not everything has to happen in one big clean. Wipe the bathroom sink while the kids are in the bath. Fold laundry while chatting in the garden. Sweep up after breakfast while the kettle boils. Little pockets of effort add up.

5. Create Calm Corners

When the whole house feels chaotic, having one or two “calm corners” can make a big difference. This could be:

• A clear kitchen counter
• A cosy reading nook
• A clutter-free entryway

These small tidy zones act as visual rest points and help regulate the nervous system for both you and the kids.

6. Plan One “Reset Day” a Week

Choose one day each week to do a bigger tidy/reset (washing sheets, sorting toys, catching up on laundry). Knowing it’s scheduled reduces the mental clutter of “when will I get to it all?”

Remember: This Is a Season

The house will get messy. The laundry pile will grow. The days will feel both long and fast. But this season won’t last forever. Try to give yourself grace, focus on connection, and let the home be the backdrop to the memories you’re making—not the main character.