![What I’ve learned over the last decade and a half is that most parents feel underqualified at some point.](http://web.archive.org./web/20181128014235im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/7/t/z/c/image.related.landscape.380x253.p50fl3.png/1542332273892.jpg)
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![Family time is more fun when it's messy.](http://web.archive.org./web/20181128014235im_/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 ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20181128014235im_/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](http://web.archive.org./web/20181128014235im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/r/t/z/d/image.related.landscape.120x80.2rtz4.gjzqto.png/1444345556194.jpg)
![Cleaning](http://web.archive.org./web/20181128014235im_/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](http://web.archive.org./web/20181128014235im_/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 ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20181128014235im_/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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![Seven per cent of people would not know their neighbours if they "fell over them".](http://web.archive.org./web/20181128014235im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/7/j/p/1/image.related.landscape.300x200.h17jos.png/1541577076142.jpg)
Next door strangers: one in four Australians do not know their neighbours
Seven per cent of people say they would not know their neighbours if they fell over them.
![Mary Bobolas' rubbish-strewn Bondi home.](http://web.archive.org./web/20181128014235im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/7/0/5/0/image.related.landscape.300x200.p50c7c.png/1540949453072.jpg)
Hoarding is one thing but garden-variety clutter is hard to beat too
Hoards are best left to pirates and dragons. It's far better to enjoy the possessions worth keeping.
![Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK](http://web.archive.org./web/20181128014235im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/7/0/2/g/image.related.landscape.300x200.h16zty.png/1540425574400.jpg)
How to trick your kids into helping with the housework
None of these strategies come with a guarantee, however.
![Image: Shutterstock](http://web.archive.org./web/20181128014235im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/6/k/n/t/image.related.landscape.300x200.h16km6.png/1539328214634.jpg)
The unexpected benefits of making my children share a bedroom
It didn't happen on purpose, but I've been surprised to find I'm loving it.
![Photo: Shutterstock](http://web.archive.org./web/20181128014235im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/6/4/r/z/image.related.landscape.300x200.h164jx.png/1538471261766.jpg)
Living with people can be hard: the most frustrating household habits
Why can't everyone be as perfect as we are?
![Photo: Shutterstock](http://web.archive.org./web/20181128014235im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/5/t/h/1/image.related.landscape.300x200.h15tgr.png/1537950445428.jpg)
The four obstacles that get in the way of people decluttering
It's about thinking about the things that bring you joy.
![Photo: Shutterstock](http://web.archive.org./web/20181128014235im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/5/j/1/i/image.related.landscape.300x200.h15he5.png/1537276660872.jpg)
My family lives in a one bedroom apartment - and I love it
The advantages are more worthwhile than you may have thought!
![Shutterstock](http://web.archive.org./web/20181128014235im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/4/x/7/k/image.related.landscape.300x200.h14x73.png/1537318108239.jpg)
How do people really feel about children in high-density housing?
‘Children belong in the suburbs’: with more families in apartments, such attitudes are changing.
![This dad documented the towel crimes of his children using the Instagram hashtag #howkidshangtowels](http://web.archive.org./web/20181128014235im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/3/v/u/8/image.related.landscape.300x200.h13r35.png/1535681459020.jpg)
The exasperating petty crimes of family life
Petty domestic crimes can pile up enough to make a person want to run away, and it seems I'm not alone.
![While the gender gap is narrowing, women still do seven hours more housework per week than men (and that doesn’t include ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20181128014235im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/3/l/s/b/image.related.landscape.300x200.h13lk9.png/1534151409948.jpg)
Sorry men, there’s no such thing as ‘dirt blindness’
You just need to do more housework.
![This bathroom looks the part, but the white grout won't be white soon, and how are small kids supposed to safely lean ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20181128014235im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/3/n/f/3/image.related.landscape.300x200.h13nee.png/1533904363078.jpg)
Seven tips for bathroom renovations from a parent who both succeeded and failed
A bit of forethought is a great investment in your sanity, when it comes to bathroom design for a family. Trust me, I know.
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