Sheinelle Jones may be known for her boundless energy, magnetic on-screen presence, and ability to juggle the fast-paced demands of live television, but when it comes to keeping her household in order, she’s the first to admit it’s not exactly her strong suit. In a refreshingly candid moment shared with Parents magazine for their February issue, Sheinelle revealed that if she had one magical wish, it would be to never again deal with the relentless grind of housework — particularly folding laundry and washing dishes. “I wish I were a whiz at mastering my kids’ schedules…. along with my own: nightly meal planning, grocery shopping, laundry, all of that stuff. But I stink,” she confessed, with a hint of humour and honesty that so many parents can relate to.
Despite the chaos that sometimes comes with raising three kids — her son Kayin, 15, and 12-year-old twins Clara and Uche, whom she shares with husband Uche Ojeh — Sheinelle is quick to emphasize that their lives aren’t any worse for the occasional clutter or disorganized day. In fact, she argues, joy and connection matter more. “My kids are happy, and so am I,” she said, radiating a sense of peace in imperfection. One of their favourite family rituals, she shared, is to turn up the music and dance around the house without a care in the world — proving that sometimes the most meaningful moments are found in the mess.
“I’m pretty fun and spontaneous and I genuinely have a good time with my kids,” Sheinelle added, reminding readers that being fully present and emotionally connected often outweighs being flawlessly organized. In her world, laughter, music, and love fill the home — even if the laundry basket overflows.
Sheinelle also excels at making the most of her day, which begins when most people are still sleeping.
“I have learned how to compartmentalize pretty well,” she shared. “When I’m with my kids, I’m all in. When I’m working on the show, I’m all in. I’m focused on what’s in front of me.”
Right now, Sheinelle’s focusing on finding meals that will please her entire family. While sautéed kale and chickpeas are a “megahit” with Kayin, Clara and Uche, the trio gave her recent crock pot creation a unanimous two thumbs down.
“One night I made some kind of chicken stew with salsa in a slow cooker. I thought it was so good!” she quipped. “I ended up being the only one who would eat it. My twins don’t like their food to ‘touch,’ which makes any casserole impossible.”
Sheinelle is hopeful she’ll find her next megahit soon so she can hang up her short-order cook uniform.
“Between food allergies and picky eating, it is a challenge,” she said. “I generally make different dishes for everybody, which is crazy. I’m working on it.”