We run into this because we like to pre-soak things. Then we get busy with something else, another meal happens, those dishes also need to soak, and pretty soon everything is blocked by everything else.

The alternatives we see are:

• Don’t pre-soak: Maybe, but some things do kinda need it
• Only put things in that need soaked: Would be nice, but we also don’t always agree on what needs it. Also, counter space is also at a premium in our house
• Finish the damn dishes every meal!: Would be nice! But, we have a lot of ADHD in our house, and kids besides - we have a lot of “and then life happened”