Hi Hayley, how are things going there? Have you figured out how you're going to manage the dishes daily? You might like to go shopping for some cute dishwashing gloves that don't have any bothersome odors. Try Whole Foods or Bed Bath & Beyond. I've even seen some "glamour" gloves at mainstream supermarkets.
By now you've probably realized that cleaning and decluttering go hand in hand. They're both processes that require consistent maintenance. So there's the answer to your question: How to prevent build-up?
Keeping the kitchen counter clear of dirty dishes is a major step toward clearing off the other counter clutter - papers, coupons, and so on. But first things first - for now, just keep on top of doing the dishes every day. You might even want to post here every day to tell us how it's going. Accountability is a wonderful motivator, and we are always here to pat you on the back. :)
Don't worry too much about changing your mom at this point. Just work on yourself. One of the dangers of being a child of a clutterer is the possibility of turning into one yourself. Don't let that happen to you. Build up some strong daily cleaning and clearing habits, and you'll be fine.
"Be the change you want to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
