Where to start?

[Chaoshastakenover]

My home is in chaos, I’m drowning in dirty laundry every room needs a deep clean there’s dcs toys in every room. I just can’t seem to get a grip of the house it’s really getting me down. Any tips for creating routines that are simple and work? Also budgeting and meal planning? My mum was useless and I didn’t learn any housekeeping skills from her. Me and the dcs have gone through a rough time recently so we are trying to figure out our new future and I feel like I’m lacking in the clean home clean clothes and organising our life

How old are the children? Is it feasible to have a Toy Tidying Competition, and give a bag of chocolate buttons to whoever tidies all their toys up the quickest? This works best if there's a set place for all the toys to go (bedrooms, playroom, toybox).

This weather is awful for drying clothes, do you have a tumble dryer? I would probably do a massive load of pants and socks first, then tops, then bottoms.

Yes I have a tumble dryer I didn’t think of doing it that way I sort dark lights whites towels pjs then door mats dog blanket. Dc are 16 14 9 3 and unfortunately they do nothing at home by the time I have asked begged and shouted at them to do something I might aswell have done it myself or they do half a job like empty the dishwasher put leave dishes etc on the kitchen side not in cupboard that sort of thing