How I Keep My Home Organized During My Busiest Season (With Three Kids!)

If you’re a creative mom, you already know: when life gets busy, the house somehow gets busier. Between school drop-offs, after-school chaos, holiday gatherings, craft show prep, orders for NicolioWithLove, and just trying to keep everyone fed and happy, staying organized can feel impossible.

But over the years, I’ve figured out a few simple routines that keep our home running just enough so we don’t feel overwhelmed—especially during the holiday season or when I’m prepping for back-to-back craft shows.

Here’s a peek into what works for our family of five (and yes… it’s realistic!).

✨ 1. Our Morning Rhythm: Calm, Not Perfect

I used to chase the “perfect” morning routine. Now? We aim for predictable.

Here’s our flow:

• Everyone knows their responsibilities (take some downtime, get dressed, grab backpacks).

• I keep breakfasts simple—cereal, yogurt, homemade uncrustables, fruit, or toast.

• Backpacks get placed by the door the night before, which saves SO much drama at 8:30am.

• I give myself an extra minute to breathe before we head out. It sets the tone for the whole day.

A peaceful morning doesn’t come from perfection—it comes from routine.

✨ 2. The After-School Drop Zone

As soon as the kids walk in the door, backpacks, shoes, and lunchboxes all get dropped… somewhere. So instead of fighting it, I created a system around it.

We keep:

• a shoe bin by the door

• their backpack by the door

• a spot on the counter where schoolwork sits

It takes them 30 seconds, and it keeps the rest of the house from becoming a tornado.

✨ 3. The “Reset Zones” That Keep Me Sane

I used to try resetting the whole house every night. Now I focus on three zones:

1. The Kitchen Counter

2. The Living/Family Rooms

3. My Craft Table

If those three areas are clear, the house feels clean, even if the rest isn’t perfect.

Five minutes each night makes a massive difference.

✨ 4. The 20-Minute Evening Reset

As a family, we do a quick reset after dinner.

Everyone helps:

• Someone wipes counters

• Someone loads dishes

• Kids run around putting toys where they belong

• Kids clean up the stairs and dog toys

It sounds simple, but those 20 minutes save me from waking up to chaos.

✨ 5. How I Work Around Family Life During Busy Seasons

When I’m prepping for craft shows or launching new products, I rely on small pockets of time instead of long work sessions.

These are my go-to work blocks:

• While the kids do homework → I prep card kits

• Early morning crafting (before the kids are even awake!) → I package orders or design new product

• During snow days → I set out crafts so the kids are entertained while I finish a project nearby

The secret is stacking creative work next to moments where your kids are already occupied.

✨ 6. No-Guilt Housekeeping Rules

These rules saved my sanity:

• If dinner is simple, that’s not a failure.

• If laundry is clean but not folded, we still won.

• If the house is 80% clean, it’s clean.

• If the kids are happy, the home is doing its job.

You don’t have to be perfect—you just need a system that works for your life.

✨ 7. Giving Myself Permission to Slow Down

Some seasons are chaotic, and some are calm. I’ve learned to adjust my expectations instead of pushing myself to do everything at the same level all the time.

It’s okay to:

• order takeout

• switch to paper plates

• say no to extra obligations

• choose a cozy movie night over a perfect house

A peaceful home comes from the energy inside it—not the spotless floors.

✨ Final Thoughts

Staying organized isn’t about color-coded bins or 50-step routines. It’s about creating rhythms that support your real life as a creative mom, a business owner, and a family of five.

If you’re in a busy season right now… you’re not alone. And you can create a home that feels calm, even if it’s not always perfectly tidy.