!["The first rule of the playroom is we DON'T talk about the playroom,"writes mum, Jessica Smith.](/web/20170401181839im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/9/1/o/m/image.related.landscape.380x253.gv916l.png/1490779019550.jpg)
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![Family time is more fun when it's messy.](/web/20170401181839im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/y/t/y/g/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gi5svz.gjzqto.png/1444345556194.jpg)
Reasons why I'll probably never have a 'clean' house
While our house is usually clean (as in, hygienic), it's also usually a mess. I don't think it'll ever be magazine-worthy neat. But is that such a bad thing?
![Battling the mess ...](/web/20170401181839im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/r/g/6/p/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.2rg6f.gjzqto.png/1444345556194.jpg)
Five quick cleaning tips
Five cleaning tips to keep your house appearing tidy - even when you're time poor.
![Inexpensive ways to clean your home](/web/20170401181839im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/r/t/z/d/image.related.landscape.120x80.2rtz4.gjzqto.png/1444345556194.jpg)
![Cleaning](/web/20170401181839im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/3/2/1/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.331ze.gjzqto.png/1444345556194.jpg)
![Creating an organised pantry](/web/20170401181839im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/q/t/x/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.284fh.gjzqto.png/1444345556194.jpg)
![Bananas for potassium: Whether it plays a direct role in better health, or encourages a focus on healthy foods, the ...](/web/20170401181839im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/w/m/s/5/image.related.landscape.120x80.gh9jmf.gjzqto.png/1444345556194.jpg)
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![Robert Kelly and his wife, Kim Jung-A, said they were mortified at first but found the video funny "like everybody else".](/web/20170401181839im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/y/6/t/b/image.related.landscape.300x200.guy6pe.png/1489554148163.jpg)
Korea expert speaks after his kids crashed BBC interview
On Friday night, university professor Robert Kelly switched off his phone, turned his Facebook and Twitter notifications off and made sure he didn't go anywhere near YouTube or Reddit.
![Meredith Masony details her horror at what she found on her face towel.](/web/20170401181839im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/t/z/m/3/image.related.landscape.300x200.gutyva.png/1489051129704.jpg)
Mum details unthinkable experience with a towel her kid used
Mum Meredith Masony has spoken about the poo experience of our nightmares.
![Wondering how to keep up appearances on social media? Here's how to fake it till you make it.](/web/20170401181839im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/t/n/b/h/image.related.landscape.300x200.gutn6a.png/1488955335430.png)
Mum's hilarious video on how to fake a perfect life on social media goes viral
Struggling to keep up with the perfect "Insta-mums" whose homes look as though they've been lifted from the latest edition of Vogue? Are you not quite Masterchef material when it comes to the kitchen? Kids not looking Facebook ready?
![Paxton and the 'blessings box'.](/web/20170401181839im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/r/g/q/9/image.related.landscape.300x200.gurgek.png/1488795206767.jpg)
Mum and son set up 'blessing box' to help people in need
A Kansas woman and her son have garnered international attention after they set up a 'blessing box' in their front yard.
![IKEA: a relationship "death-trap".](/web/20170401181839im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/f/a/i/4/image.related.landscape.300x200.guf6i4.png/1487303095228.jpg)
Psychologists explain why shopping at IKEA is a relationship 'death-trap'
For many couples, IKEA is the stuff of nightmares - and I'm not just talking about the putting-furniture-together part. Shopping there is argument-inducing too - and there are a number of reasons why.
![Expat life](/web/20170401181839im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/9/7/k/r/image.related.landscape.300x200.gu97hs.png/1486942888435.jpg)
The ten best countries to raise your children in
Whether it's the political climate, personal factors or employment opportunities, many families decide on a stint overseas, both in temporary or permanent capacities.
![Mum pens hilariously honest guide to keeping the house clean - and it's something we can all relate to.](/web/20170401181839im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/7/x/7/g/image.related.landscape.300x200.gu7tce.png/1486510853616.jpg)
This mum's funny how-to-clean guide is one we can all embrace
A US mother, tired of seeing "cute cleaning" schedules on Pinterest designed to help mums stay on top of household mess, decided to create a more realistic how-to guide - and it's one we can all get on board with.
![18-year-old Jules Pechar's room lead to painful consequences.](/web/20170401181839im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/6/d/4/y/image.related.landscape.300x200.gu6cva.png/1486350856420.png)
Always nagging your teens to clean their room? You might want to show them this...
If you're constantly nagging your teens to clean their room then you're not alone.
![Make sure everything has its place, and its place is next to the other things needed for a task.](/web/20170401181839im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/d/s/3/y/image.related.landscape.300x200.gtsomb.png/1484767580825.jpg)
The mistakes professional organisers always notice
January is the month where finally declutter our closets, get our kitchen cupboards organised or conquer our bathroom product spillover. But while our intentions might be good and pure, our technique to achieving our goals may not be as solid as we think.
![Surf Life Saving Queensland said pool owners should take CPR lessons to help prevent drowning deaths.](/web/20170401181839im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/1/2/5/q/f/f/image.related.landscape.300x200.gtmja3.png/1483669698140.jpg)
Call for compulsory CPR lessons for pool owners
Surf Life Saving Queensland wants all pool owners to undergo compulsory CPR lessons, following a spate of pool drownings over the Christmas period.
![Daily Juice Co](/web/20170401181839im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/1/d/s/n/image.related.landscape.300x200.gt1g3x.png/1482890302328.jpg)
Six times food made us happy and sad in 2016
It's been a year of soaring highs and crushing lows in terms of food news. We've loved, lost and gained new food loves during this tumultuous year of iconic musician deaths and political turmoil.
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