By Jane Marsh
Becoming a parent is joyful and rewarding, but it’s also overwhelming. When you and your partner bring a new baby into your home, keeping your living space tidy can feel like a battle you’re destined to lose. New parents are likely aiming for convenience in all areas.
Below are some simple but helpful strategies for managing chores calmly, preserving your well-being and nurturing teamwork between you and your partner.
Communicate Early On and Share the Mental Load
Around 71% of the mental load tends to fall on mothers – from organising appointments to remembering chores – and this imbalance often affects both stress levels and overall well-being.
Sit down with your partner and discuss preferences – like who dislikes washing dishes and who prefers to empty the nappy bin. Write it down in a shared calendar or planning app so both are aware and responsibilities feel fair. When tasks feel balanced, relationship quality improves.
Accept “Good Enough” Is Perfect for Now
Perfectionism adds pressure. Parenting experts advise a “good enough” mindset – mop when time allows, cook simple meals instead of gourmet dinners and tidy rather than deep clean. This attitude reduces stress and frees mental space for rest and bonding with the baby. Many parents report that letting go of unrealistic standards during the early weeks helps them feel calmer and more in control.
Sit down with your partner and discuss preferences – like who dislikes washing dishes and who prefers to empty the nappy bin.
Automate and Outsource Where Possible
Use modern conveniences to reduce chores. Set up automatic grocery shopping or delivery so you save energy. Schedule regular deliveries for nappies and wipes. Use automation for bill payments, shopping lists and even light-cleaning gadgets if budget allows. Some parents hire cleaning help or use external services part-time during the early months to ease the household burden – this can support your mental health without costing too much.
Divide Tasks Equitably and Do Some Together
Parents who feel they carry more chores than desired often experience lower relationship satisfaction. When fathers increase their share of “cognitive labour” – the planning and remembering work that runs a household – both partners tend to feel more supported. Try to complete certain chores side by side – washing up, preparing lunch or folding laundry as a team. It builds connection and avoids the trap of keeping score.
Build Routines Around Baby’s Rhythms
Your baby’s schedule can become the anchor for your household chores. For instance, start a laundry load during the first nap, empty the nappy bin after a feed or wipe down kitchen counters while the baby is happily kicking on a play mat.
Spreading tasks across the week rather than cramming them into one day makes everything feel lighter. It also helps to preserve one evening or afternoon as a no-chore time for the family – a small ritual that keeps you recharged and connected.
Create Chore Zones for Simplicity
One extra strategy is setting up “zones” in your home. Keep baby essentials near the changing table, wipes near high-use spots and cleaning spray in the kitchen and bathroom. By reducing the number of steps between you and the supplies you need, chores take half the time. This is especially useful in the early months when energy feels limited.
When families spend more time at home, toilets see heavier use, making clogs more common – but simple habits can prevent them. Keep a bin near the toilet for wipes and nappies, and remind everyone in the household what should and should not be flushed. Preventing plumbing mishaps saves you from unexpected stress and keeps routines running smoothly.
