Is there any point?

[CallMeLena]

I have 2 DC, 2&3. My house is in a permenant state and I do nothing but clean and tidy (when I'm not preparing meals/snacks, changing nappies, etc.). They went to stay with their grandparents over the weekend and it gave us a chance to do a proper clean and sort the place out, as opposed to a surface clean/throw stuff in cupboards, out of sight). Within 24hrs of being back, the place is again a bombsite! Toys and books pulled out and left everywhere, crumbs all over the sofa and floor, milk poured, not spilled, poured on the rug (and cat), juice spilled on the bed... The list goes on. It's genuinely depressing me living in a constant shithole! I know that mess is to be expected with young kids but please don't tell me to embrace it, I can't!

I considered going to the doctor to ask about antidepressants but is there any point? It's situational and sertraline isn't going to stop my kids turning my house upside down on a daily basis. I just don't function well when surrounded by clutter but the constant picking up every 5 minutes is tedious and tiring.

First thing I'd suggest is not let them eat and drink on the sofa! Set a rule of all food and drinks at the table, then crumbs and spills are contained in one place.

It wont always be this bad. My 3yo twins do trash the place sometimes, but my 7yo can now be bribed with pocket money... game changer! She puts away her brothers' clean clothes once a week for 50p, another 50p for tidying the playroom twice a week, 50p for her room being properly tidy for the weekend.... costs me £3 a week and it's sooooooo worth it! Your children will get older and less chaotic.

I'm the meantime keep as much out of reach as possible. High shelves, childlocks on cupboards.... basically stuff only come s out with your permission and they have to help tidy first.

Only eat at the table. Then it's only one place to wipe/sweep at the end of the day. We only allow water out of the kitchen, even for eldest.

But..... low standards are also helpful.