If you’ve spent any amount of time on social media lately, you’ve probably seen the homemaking routines that seem to have it all figured out. The spotless kitchens. The color-coded schedules. The endless lists of daily tasks.

The truth is, that’s not my life right now.

I’m in the thick of motherhood with a one-year-old, and if you’re in this season too, you know the days have a way of disappearing. We still co-sleep. I nurse on demand. Most days revolve around naps, mealtimes, cleaning up after those mealtimes and diaper changes, while trying to figure out what we’re having for dinner before 5 p.m. rolls around.

At the end of each day it usually looks like a toddler tornado came through because it did!

I’ve learned that in this season, I can’t do everything. And honestly, I don’t want to spend all of my son’s childhood chasing a perfectly clean house.

Instead, I’ve found a handful of things that help our home function and help me feel a little more grounded at the end of the day.

These aren’t rules. They’re not a productivity hack. They’re simply the things I try to prioritize in this season of motherhood.

These little habits are the anchors that keep our home moving so I can spend less time catching up and more time being present with my son.

My Daily Homemaking Priorities

1. Make the bed

It’s a small thing, but walking into a made bed at the end of the day makes the whole room feel calmer. I don’t always make it perfectly. The sheets aren’t crisp and hotel-worthy, but they’re not thrown together either. I just take a minute or two to make it look intentional instead of like we rolled out of bed and never looked back.

2. Keep the dishwasher moving

Sometime between breakfast and lunch, the dishwasher gets emptied and loaded back up. I’ll be honest, this doesn’t always happen first thing in the morning. Life gets in the way…Some mornings, I just don’t have the energy. Other days, my son wants to be held while I’m trying to get breakfast on the table, and I feel like I pick him up ten times before we’ve even eaten. Then there are days I’m focused on getting us out the door for a morning walk before the summer heat settles in or off to our favorite class at the library.

But at some point during the morning, I get the dishwasher emptied. From there, dishes go right back in throughout the day, and before bed I run it again. Keeping the dishes moving is one of the simplest ways I keep our kitchen from feeling overwhelming.

3. Complete one load of laundry from start to finish

Not five loads. Not a perfectly organized laundry room. Just one load washed, dried, folded, and put away each day.

Bonus tip: I cheat a little here. Before bed, I’ll throw a load into the washer and set the delay start so it finishes around the time I wake up. Then all I have to do is transfer it to the dryer while I’m waiting for my coffee to brew.

I know it sounds small, but it helps me feel like I’m already ahead before the day really gets going and before any craziness starts.

4. Get outside with my son

We try to get outside every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Fresh air does wonders for both of us. A lot of the time the walk is more for me than it is for him, and I love the mornings when we can meet up with other moms and their little ones. Other days, it’s as simple as sitting on the deck, feeling the breeze, and watching the clouds go by. I never regret making time to get outside, even if it means some chores have to wait.

5. Make dinner

Not a fancy dinner. Not a Pinterest-worthy dinner. Just something that puts food on the table and brings us together at the end of the day.

While I try to whip up a real meal most nights, there are plenty of times we rely on leftovers or freezer food. It’s a balance. After all, the goal isn’t perfection; it’s making memories around the table.

With a one-year-old, this feels especially important to me. It gives my son the chance to practice sitting at the table, try new foods, and learn what mealtime looks like in our family. Even when it’s messy, I want him to grow up knowing that dinnertime is our chance to slow down, connect, and simply be together.

6. Do a full kitchen and living room reset before bed

This is the one that changes everything for me. Waking up to a clean sink, wiped counters, vacuumed floors, and toys picked up makes the next morning feel so much less overwhelming.

Instead of starting the day catching up on last night’s mess, I can be present with my son in the morning. I love when we get to have a slow morning, playing on the floor while I drink coffee.

Beyond those daily priorities, there are a few weekly rhythms that help our home run smoothly. Each week, I carve out time to meal plan, grocery shop, and prep a few things ahead if I can. Those tasks make the rest of the week feel a little less chaotic, especially prepping food for my son.

Then there are the deeper cleaning tasks like bathrooms, dusting and vacuuming, and all the little projects that pop up around the house. I try to work those in throughout the week as time allows, but I don’t stress if they don’t happen on a specific day.

I’ve learned that not everything needs to be done all at once. As long as we’re fed, the house is functioning, and we’ve had time together, the rest can wait until tomorrow.

This season is less about having the perfect home and more about creating a home that feels peaceful enough to live in and enjoy.

And honestly, with a one-year-old, sometimes that’s more than enough.

I’d love to know: what are your non-negotiables during this season of life? What are the few things that help your home feel manageable when everything else feels a little chaotic?