When I became a mum, I thought I had to follow certain “rules” about how a home should run. A spotless house, strict routines, everything in its perfect place. But as my son grew, I quickly realised that those rules didn’t work for us.
Having a child with SEN means life can be unpredictable.
Some days are smooth, others are filled with sensory overloads, unexpected challenges, or just pure exhaustion. And I realised something important: there are no rules.
The best part about having your own home is that you get to create systems that work for you and your child—not for society’s expectations.
How I Made My Home Work for Us
I used to be quite messy, but when I had my son, I needed more calm, not chaos. So I found ways to make home life easier for both of us:
✅ A mirror in the kitchen – Mornings can be hectic, so I put a mirror downstairs. If I need to get ready while sorting breakfast, I can. It’s practical, and it works for us!
✅ Flexible mealtimes & spaces – Some days we eat at the table, other days we spread a blanket on the floor for an indoor picnic. Less pressure, more fun.
✅ Laundry rules? What rules? – Pyjamas don’t get folded in our house. They go straight from the basket to being worn again. One less job, no guilt!
✅ Timers and visuals to avoid meltdowns – My son struggles with transitions, so I use timers and visual schedules. They help him feel more prepared, which means fewer battles over daily tasks.
✅ Grab-and-Go Wall Storage – I hang up things we need often, like my son’s glasses, so they’re always easy to find. No more last-minute panicking before we leave the house!
✅ Extra essentials where we need them – My son sometimes struggles to brush his teeth, so I keep an extra toothbrush and toothpaste downstairs. His hairbrush is on the wall too—quick, easy, and makes mornings much less stressful.
✅ A spinning chair in the middle of the living room – Because why not? It brings my son so much joy, it’s great for sensory regulation, and in our house, we make the rules!
✅ Visual aids on the back of doors – We use visual schedules and reminders on the backs of doors to help with routines. Whether it’s a morning checklist, steps for getting dressed, or a reminder to grab his glasses, these small things make a big difference.
Your Home, Your Rules
If something makes your life easier, do it, no matter how unconventional it seems. Your home doesn’t need to look like a Pinterest board. It doesn’t need to follow anyone else’s structure. It just needs to work for you and your child.
So, to all the mums feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of keeping up with a “perfect” home, let it go. The only rules that matter are the ones that make your life easier and your child feel safe and supported.
💬 What’s one “rule” you’ve broken to make life work for your family?