Keeping Housework Simple and Cleaning

The primary housekeeper has an important job inclothes are clean and we can eat a nourishing meal, it
maintaining a safe and inviting atmosphere in the home.is easier for us to cope with life’s challenges.
A housework checklist, whether it is written down orBut, because the primary housekeeper may need to
simply kept by memory, is an important tool in keepingexpend all of his or her energies on the crisis or
track of what is necessary for the basic functioning ofproblem, it may not be possible for them to give their
a household and for what is uniquely comforting andhouses a thorough cleaning during a stressful time.
relaxing for each family. This checklist can be essentialWhether the stress is caring for a new baby, meeting
for the physical and mental wellbeing of the entiredifficult deadlines at work, caring for a family member
family during difficult times.after an accident, surgery, or during an extended
We all function better during stress if we can maintainillness—or if life has been disrupted by a
or re-establish a clean, comfortable, consistent base.long-term power failure, a fire, or a natural
We all want to depend on the ability to wash in cleandisaster—we and our families still have basic
water with soap, and to dry our hands on a cleanneeds to be met. Keeping a clean house in stressful
towel. We expect to be able to sit down on atimes can be a challenge.
comfortable chair or to lie down on a clean bed. If our