Last night I set a 10-minute timer before my husband got home, and the kids and I sang “Clean Up for Daddy” on repeat. It’s not a real song, we literally just chanted those words with a fun little tune. But it brought joy into our home while we worked together and I think it’s something we’ll add to our evening routine. Thirty minutes before dinner the house was spotless, floors mopped and everything. After dinner prep and a little too much unsupervised indoor play it looked like a tornado came through. I do my best to create a low-stimulation environment for my husband to walk into. I can’t control the noise, but I can control what he sees when he steps through the door. That usually means a quick toy pickup, even if it’s not perfect. Another thing that helps? Getting the kids bathed and in pajamas before dinner. It makes everything smoother and quieter at bedtime. We can focus on playing with daddy instead of crying when it’s time to get out of the tub. Summer evenings are our favorite— we’re outside a lot, so dinner’s usually late, around 7 p.m. when he gets home. We eat, take a family walk, and then it’s bedtime. It’s not about being perfect, just intentional. Let me know if you try the “clean up for daddy” song tonight 🤣