If you're like me, the ritual goes something like this: You spend a solid weekend cleaning your home and vow to never let it get out of control again. Two weeks later you stand in the middle a disaster zone wondering what happened.

In the whirlwind of work, child care and other obligations many of us find our homes don't reflect the images we would like them to. Yet, coming home to a clean house eases the stresses of the day and encourages us to relax in the little spare time we carve for ourselves.

The question: How do we get and keep our homes clean?
The Key: To work as a family.

TAKING STOCK

First, you need to get things in order. Make it easy, pace yourself. Choose one room each week and clean it. Take anything you haven't used in a year and put it in a box marked "Rummage Sale". When the house is clean, hold a rummage sale and split the proceeds between your children. Set a goal each week for when you finish, getting ice cream, taking a walk, going to the zoo ... continue this regimen until your home is in order.