My Weekly Cleaning Routine with Two Kids at Home

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Keeping a clean and organized home with two kids, homeschooling, and running a household might sound like a lot—but over time, I’ve created a weekly cleaning routine that works for us. It’s structured but flexible, realistic, and more importantly—teaches my kids life skills they'll use forever.

In this blog post, I’m giving you a peek into our weekly cleaning routine as a homeschooling family. This is more than just chores—this is a system that helps keep our home running smoothly and teaches responsibility, self-discipline, and teamwork.

If you're a homeschooling parent or simply trying to manage a household with kids, I hope this post gives you inspiration and practical tips you can use in your own home.

Why a Weekly Cleaning Routine Matters for Homeschooling Families

One of the biggest realizations I had after we started homeschooling is that homeschooling is not just school at home. It’s an opportunity to prepare our kids for real life. That means not only focusing on academics, but teaching them essential life skills like cleaning, cooking, organizing, managing time, and even budgeting.

I’ve always believed that by the time our kids move out, they shouldn’t be scrambling to learn how to do laundry or clean a toilet. They should already know these things. Their energy should go toward building successful, fulfilling lives—not learning how to separate whites from colors or how to clean a bathroom.

This mindset completely shaped the way we handle cleaning in our home—and it’s been a game changer.

Our Family & Cleaning Roles

For a little context, I have two kids: my son is 12 years old, and my daughter is 6. They both have responsibilities, and yes—it’s age-appropriate, but also consistent. Here’s a breakdown of who does what during the week:

Daily Responsibilities

Kids Make Their Beds: This happens before breakfast every day. It sets the tone for the day and teaches the importance of starting with a small win.
Tidy Bedrooms: They get to choose whether to do this before or after homeschooling—but it must be done by the end of the day.
Clear & Set the Table: My daughter sets the table before every meal, and clears the table after. She’s also in charge of putting any dirty dishes in the sink.
Unload Dishwasher: My son takes care of unloading the dishwasher in the morning. I usually run it the night before.
Living Room Tidy-Up: Both kids help clean and organize the living room every evening before bed. This includes putting toys away, folding blankets, and straightening up pillows.
Kitchen Clean-Up (My Job): I take care of the kitchen after dinner, and I absolutely love waking up to a clean kitchen in the morning. It helps us get a fresh start with homeschooling the next day.

Weekly Chores

Bathrooms: My son is in charge of cleaning one of our two bathrooms once a week. I take care of the master bathroom and do a quick wipe-down midweek if needed.
Laundry:
- My son does his own laundry when his basket is full.
- My daughter helps me with the rest of the family’s laundry—she loves it. I let her take charge and she feels proud doing it.
Plant Care: My daughter waters our 4 little houseplants once a week. She enjoys this simple task and takes it seriously!
Dusting & Organization: I take care of dusting furniture, cleaning our bedroom, and keeping things organized around the house.
Homeschool Space Reset: At the end of the week, we clean and reorganize our little homeschool corner. My son helps me take inventory of supplies and makes a list of anything we’re running low on.

Tools That Made a Big Difference

One of the best purchases I’ve made was getting each of my kids a magnetic To-Do List board for their bedrooms. I found them on Amazon, and they came with colorful dry erase markers that they absolutely love using. It is also double sided, which they love having a blank side for creativity. They color code their tasks, draw on them, decorate them—it’s become part of their daily routine they actually enjoy.

Before this, I used to just write their chores on pieces of paper, but these magnetic boards are visually fun, interactive, and reusable. It’s helped them stay consistent and feel more in control of their day.

Weekend Routine & Rest Days

Saturdays: We still do chores on Saturdays, but since there’s no homeschool, they usually finish everything super quickly. This gives them plenty of time for play, hobbies, or screen time.
Sundays: Sundays are complete rest days. I let my kids take a full break from cleaning, schoolwork, and structure. They can do whatever they want. I believe kids need real rest, just like adults do.

Life Skills Over Perfection

I’ll be honest—our house isn’t perfect. Sometimes things pile up, sometimes the bathroom isn’t spotless, and sometimes the dishes take a little longer to get to. But I’m okay with that. What matters to me is that my kids are learning discipline, time management, and self-reliance.

These aren’t just chores—they’re life skills.

And because we do these things daily as part of our routine, the tasks never get overwhelming. Messes are minimal, and everything stays manageable. It only takes a few minutes each day because we stay consistent. That’s the real secret.

Final Thoughts: Building Habits that Stick

If you’re trying to create a cleaning routine with your kids at home—especially if you homeschool—start small. Give each child a few manageable tasks and make it part of their daily rhythm. Teach them why it matters, not just how to do it.

Remind yourself that these aren’t just chores—they’re stepping stones toward independence. And that’s the real goal, right?

I know it might seem like my kids are doing a lot, but because we’ve made it part of our lifestyle, it feels natural. They don’t complain about it. In fact, they’re proud of the role they play in keeping our home clean and organized.

And as a mom, there’s nothing better than seeing your kids take ownership, build confidence, and develop real-world skills that will stick with them long after they leave the nest.

Do you have a weekly cleaning routine with your kids at home? Are you homeschooling and trying to juggle chores too? I’d love to hear what’s working (or not working!) for your family. Drop a comment below and share your own tips, routines, or questions! Let’s support each other as we raise responsible, capable kids—one chore at a time. 💛

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