We follow a simple rhythm at home. Each weekday morning, I spend 15 minutes deep cleaning one room, but that’s only one small part of how our home stays running.
Keeping a home functional in a small New York City apartment with three kids isn’t about perfection. It’s about shared responsibility, realistic systems, and small daily habits that help life feel a little less overwhelming.
Throughout the day, there’s still plenty of real-life upkeep:
washing dishes (no dishwasher here)
clearing the table
wiping counters
vacuuming and sweeping
putting things back where they belong
And over time, we realized something important: our daughters didn’t want or need constant verbal reminders. They needed simple, visual expectations they could actually understand and participate in. That’s how our “Home Rules” were born.
These aren’t strict chore charts or complicated systems. They’re gentle reminders that help teach responsibility, tidying habits, and care for the spaces our family shares.
My hope is that this download helps spark conversations in your own home and inspires routines that work for your family and your season of life.
Tidying isn’t about creating a perfect home. It’s about making more space for what matters most.
Download the “HOME RULES” PDF here to see the “home rules” we’re currently using in our home, plus a blank version you can customize for your own family.
