Ever look around and feel like chores never end? Child learning specialist Natalie Nicholls, from PLECs Learning, says the fix might only take one minute. 

She explains, “Do it straight away or it never gets done.” That simple mindset shift can completely change how families manage daily chaos.

How It Started

Natalie came up with the idea after noticing everyday clutter building up at home. “Towels on the floor, dishes in the sink, coffee machines left dirty,” she said. “I thought there has to be a better way.”

Instead of blaming bad habits, she wanted to understand the “why” behind them. “When we look at why something happens, instead of labelling it as bad behaviour, we can make real change.”

The Brain Science Behind It

Our brains can only handle so much information at once. “When we have too much to do, our working memory overloads,” Natalie explains. “That’s when little jobs like paying a bill or wiping the counter get parked.”

But these “parked” tasks don’t disappear. They keep looping in your brain, eating up mental space and energy. “When you finally do them,” Natalie says, “you close that loop and get a hit of dopamine, the brain’s reward chemical.” That quick win makes you feel good and reduces stress.

Why It Works

The One Minute Rule helps families stay calm and organised because it reduces cognitive clutter.

“Even though we think we’re not using energy, those unfinished tasks still drain us,” Natalie says.

By acting immediately on small tasks if it takes less than a minute you free up your mental bandwidth.

She adds, “It’s not about perfection. It’s about awareness and small, consistent action.”

Putting It Into Practice at Home

Natalie encourages families to make it a fun challenge, not a punishment. “We said, let’s all try something new we’ll hang up towels, put dishes in the dishwasher, wipe the coffee machine straight away!”

Her advice:

• Start small. Focus on one area like laundry or dishes.
• Get everyone involved. Make it a family effort.
• Celebrate small wins. Say “great job” when someone follows through.

“When we all do it together,” she says, “it becomes a team habit instead of nagging.”

Natalie noticed a huge difference in her home. “It’s less to think about, less to nag about and the house feels calmer,” she says. Doing things right away removes background noise from your brain. “You’re retraining yourself to see something, do it, and move on.”

The Takeaway

The one minute rule for families is more than a cleaning tip it’s a mindset. As Natalie puts it, “There’s always a solution to every problem. It might not be the one you want, but there’s always a way.”

So next time you see that small task do it straight away. It might only take a minute, but it could change your whole day.

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

Feature image: Canva

“It’s a great question, but I need to be honest up front and say, folks, I think the phrase is the horse has bolted. We live in a tech world,” said the National Grandparenthood Movement’s Ian Barnett.

That doesn’t mean parents and grandparents are powerless though. 

“We can’t avoid technology altogether, but we can create spaces that prioritise connection, real-world connection,” he said.

Creating Spaces of Connection

In Ian’s home, he and his wife have tried something many families might find refreshing. 

“When people come around to visit, they actually put all their phones in a basket,” he said. It’s a simple way to avoid distractions. 

“That means you’re not going to get distracted. That’s the problem with iPhones and iPads, you get distracted. Including the parents, including the grandparents!”

Instead, the Barnetts plan activities. “My wife has one of our granddaughters involved in making stuff, cooking, working in the garden,” he said.

“Or I’ll take one of the grandkids to play putt-putt golf. You’ve got to think about what you’ll do if you’re not going to use devices.”

The Value of Tech-Free Moments

The goal isn’t about punishment or nostalgia. It’s about reclaiming space for conversation and imagination. 

“We used to talk over the fence; we used to talk on the streets. It’s all changed. But [parents and] grandparents can model something different.”

Even the Australian Government is taking screen time seriously, introducing new age-based restrictions on platforms like Instagram and TikTok for under-16s from December 2025. 

“If a secular government is concerned about access, then we as parents and grandparents have to be concerned, too,” he said.

That means thinking intentionally about when and how technology is used.

Finding Balance, Not Banning Devices

While some may dream of a completely screen-free zone, Ian warned against extremes. 

“Can I live in Utopia where there’s actually no technology whatsoever in my home? Probably not,” he laughed.

He pointed out that technology has its place, even for bonding. 

“I bought a Nintendo Switch so I could play sports games with my grandkids. There’s good stuff you can do.”

The key is balance. “Technology itself isn’t the problem; it’s the love of technology. It’s how you engage with it that matters.”

Giving Kids “a taste of something better”

For parents and grandparents wanting to create healthier tech habits for their grandkids, Ian offers these tips:

• Plan activities in advance. “Have things set up before they visit, it makes it easier to say no to screens.”
• Talk about what they’re seeing and doing. “When I used to push my kids in the pram, I’d talk about what they could see. Today, parents and kids are both staring at screens.”
• Set limits without shame. “Don’t make the screen so important in their lives. Use it as a reward after doing something active or creative.”
• Keep conversations flowing. “Your kids and grandkids still want to connect. They’re watching how we use our phones too.”

“Give them a taste of something better… Mums and dads and grandparents, give them a taste of heaven.”

A Home That Feels Like an Oasis

It’s encouraging to remember that a home can be an “oasis of engagement and enchantment”, not a place of restriction, but of restoration.

“When my grandkids visit, they know they’re stepping into a different environment,” he said. 

“We play games, go bike riding, or work in the garden. It’s a whole other experience. And I think it’s a break they actually enjoy.”

“Think about how you can give your [kids or] grandkids real-world experiences,” Ian said. “That’s the kind of connection that lasts.”

Article supplied with thanks to Christian Media & Arts Australia.

This article was prepared with AI assistance and carefully reviewed by our Digital team.

Feature image: Canva