What a long, strange winter it's been so far. It goes from unseasonably warm to blizzards up north and from unseasonably cold to baking summer temps in Florida. And craziness everywhere in between. Maybe it's the weather, but I've already started my spring cleaning. Problem is: the kids   don't want to go outside in any of this weather. And it's hard to accomplish anything with the little ones underfoot all day. So, what to do with the youngsters when it's too 'weird' to go out?

I have a fail-safe strategy. First, settle them into a room you're not working on. Keeping them there is  easy: just threaten to make them help with the chores if they don't stay put. Then find something for them to do that will keep them occupied for a while. Art projects. Games. Toys. Whatever will keep them out from under your feet.

As you're vacuuming, dusting and cleaning out closets, they'll be laughing and playing and staying out of your way. Fair warning: the hardest chore might be resisting the urge to abandon your cleaning and join in the fun.