There comes a point every spring where you look around your home and think, how has it got like this?

Not in a dramatic, overhaul-the-entire-house kind of way. More in a quiet, creeping sense that every surface is a bit sticky, every cupboard is slightly chaotic, and there are at least three mugs in places mugs should never be.

If you’re a single parent, there’s also a second thought that follows pretty quickly: and I have to sort all of this… on my own.

Except – you don’t.

Because, like it or not, there are other people living in your house. And this spring, they’re getting involved.

Why getting kids to help isn’t optional

When there’s only one adult in the house, everything defaults to you. The tidying, the organising, the noticing, the remembering. It’s not just the physical jobs, it’s the mental load of seeing what needs doing in the first place.

Over time, that builds up. And spring cleaning can feel less like a fresh start and more like proof that you’re carrying too much.

Getting your kids involved isn’t about turning them into miniature cleaning machines. It’s about shifting the dynamic slightly, so that the home feels like something you all take care of together.

Also – and this is important – you deserve help.

Lower your standards (just a bit)

Before you begin, it helps to adjust expectations.

Your version of “clean” and your child’s version of “clean” are not the same thing. If you correct everything they do or redo it all afterwards, they’ll quickly decide it’s not worth trying.

Instead, aim for “better than it was before.”

The towels might be folded in a way that defies logic. The books might be arranged in a system only they understand. But if the job is done, it counts.

Progress over perfection is the goal here.

What can kids actually do?

More than you might think – but not always in the way you’d ideally do it.

• Younger children: sorting toys, matching socks, wiping surfaces (enthusiastically, if not effectively), putting things into bins or baskets
• Primary age: loading and unloading the dishwasher, tidying their room, helping with laundry, simple hoovering
• Teens: pretty much everything, with varying levels of enthusiasm

It can help to frame tasks as part of a shared effort rather than a list of instructions.

“We’re doing a reset this weekend” tends to land better than “go and clean your room.”

Make it feel less like a chore (slightly)

You don’t have to turn it into a full Pinterest-style game, but a few small tweaks can make a difference:

• Put music on and do a 20-minute “power tidy” together
• Set a timer and see how much you can get done before it goes off
• Work in the same space so it feels collaborative, not like you’re delegating from afar

The goal isn’t to make cleaning fun exactly, but to make it feel manageable and shared.

When it all goes wrong

Because sometimes it will.

Someone will disappear halfway through. Someone will argue about what counts as “tidy.” Someone will suddenly be desperately tired or hungry the moment you suggest helping.

On those days, it’s okay to scale it right back. Do one small thing. Clear one surface. Put one load of washing on. It still counts.

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a full house transformation. It can just be a gentle reset.

It’s not just about the house

When you’re a single parent, it’s easy to fall into the pattern of doing everything yourself. It can feel quicker, easier, less stressful in the moment.

But in the long run, sharing the load matters. Not just for you, but for your kids too. It helps them understand that a home is something you all contribute to, not something that magically maintains itself.

And it gives you just a little bit of breathing space.

Feeling like you’re the only one trying to keep on top of everything? You’re not. Head into the Frolo app and share how your spring reset is going – whether it’s a full clear-out or just finally tackling that one chaotic drawer. You might even pick up a few ideas (or at least a bit of moral support).

‍