A Mum’s Guide to Getting It Done in Bite-Size Bursts

Written by Jess - Director & Co-Owner of Boom Magazine, Mum to Flynn, Dog Mum & Working Part Time

Spring cleaning used to mean a full weekend, industrial-strength products, and a level of focus I simply do not possess anymore. With kids aged 0–11 in the house, “deep clean” now happens in short, scrappy intervals between snacks, naps, homework, and someone shouting “MUM!” from another room.

And honestly? That’s okay. If you’re a busy mum who gets overstimulated easily (hi, same) and has kids who lose interest after approximately four minutes, spring cleaning doesn’t need to be all-or-nothing. It just needs to be short, simple, and slightly playful.

Here’s how we make it work in our house.

Think '10 minutes' and not, 'The Whole House

The biggest mindset shift: spring cleaning is not a marathon. It’s a series of tiny sprints.

I set a timer for 5–15 minutes max, depending on the kids’ ages and energy. When the timer ends, we stop. Even if we’re not “finished.” Especially if we’re not finished.

This does two important things:

• Kids don’t get bored or melt down

• I don’t spiral into overstimulation and frustration

You can do a lot in 10 minutes when everyone knows there’s a clear end.

Match Jobs to Ages (and Attention Spans)

You don’t need perfection. You need participation.

Ages 0 – 2

 • Put toys into a basket (dumping counts!)

 • Hand you items from the floor

 • Wipe with a damp cloth (mostly symbolic, still adorable)

Ages 3 - 5

 • Sort toys into “keep” and “donate”

 • Match socks

 • Dust low surfaces with a sock over their hand

Ages 6 – 8

 • Declutter books and toys

 • Wipe skirting boards

 • Empty small bins or organise a drawer

Ages 9 – 11

 • Help clean their room properly

 • Sort clothes that no longer fit

 • Load/unload dishwasher or wipe kitchen surfaces

If it’s not perfect, resist the urge to redo it immediately. That urge is how mums burn out.

One Area. One Goal. That’s It.

Instead of 'clean the kitchen' try:

• 'Lets clear the kitchen table'

• 'Lets empty one drawer'

• 'Lets wipe down the fridge door'

Tell the kids exactly what success looks like. Vague instructions overwhelm them (and us).

When we finish, I say out loud: “Look—we did that together.”

Closure matters more than scale  

Make It a Game (But Don’t Overdo It)

You don’t need Pinterest-level games. Simple works best.

• Beat the Timer: Can we put away all the Lego before the buzzer?

• Colour Hunt: Pick up only red toys first

• Donation Detective: Find 5 things you don’t use anymore

Too many rules = chaos. One simple challenge is plenty.

Protect Mum’s Nervous System

This matters just as much as the cleaning.

• Keep background noise low (no kids’ TV and music and instructions)

• Work in one room only

• Take a break between rounds—even a real one

If you feel yourself getting snappy, overstimulated, or suddenly needing to reorganise the entire cupboard instead of breathing—stop. You can come back later. Spring lasts months.

Celebrate Small Wins (Yes, Really)

We don’t wait until the house is spotless. 

We celebrate:

• One clear surface

• One lighter cupboard

• One bag ready for donation

Sometimes we finish with a snack, sometimes with a cuddle, sometimes with everyone running off while I sit in silence for 30 seconds. All of it counts.

The Truth No One Says Out Loud

Spring cleaning with kids is messy. It’s slow. It’s louder than doing it alone.

But it’s also teaching them that:

• Homes are shared

• Stuff doesn’t own us

• Cleaning doesn’t have to be miserable or overwhelming

And for us mums? Doing it in short, manageable bursts means we’re more likely to actually do it—without losing our minds in the process.

Ten minutes at a time is more than enough. 🌱