I am a stay at home mom with 1 child who is 3 years old. For some reason I just can't get organized. I do paper work for my husband's business and I am always behind on it, plus my house is a mess. How can I organize better so that I can get my stuff done? It seems like all I get done is just the basic laundry, and light cleaning, just enough to get by. When company comes over I am a little embarassed about how messy my house is HELP!
2006-09-07 05:46:48 · 14 answers · asked by LadyA 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
Sorry I'm not PERFECT like you babyblue
2006-09-07 06:02:51 · update #1
Less haste, more speed. Stop stressing about getting everything done. There are a few things you can do to make keeping things tidy easier.
1. Tidy as you go. RInse dishes as you cook, ready to wash as soon as everyone has eaten. Dry them immediately as well. When you're playing with your kid put away toys as you move onto the next one. Make your bed as soon as you get out of it. Things like that.
2. Establish a routine. This doesn't just help you. Everyone likes to know what is happening when. If your child knows that bathtime is right after The Simpsons (or whatever) then they are more likely to cooperate. Try & have dinner one the table at the same time everynight. Set aside an hour or 2 day for paperwork. You will find that as you slip into routine you suddenly have all this extra time.
3. Do larger jobs on a weekly basis rather than an "OMG the bathroom is disgusting!!" basis. Give the bathroom a quick clean every once a week & it won't build up to that huge task you shut the door to avoid. Vacuum &/or mop once a week. Shopping. Grocery shopping is hell, but it has to be done. Do it on a weekend, get your husband to look after the kid. Nothing is worse than a screaming kid at the supermarket. It stresses everyone, including you.
4. Smaller jobs (Laundry) should be done daily. So long as they stay small it is only a matter of minutes to hang out or fold the washing. My Nana does it maybe once a fortnight & it takes her hours just to hang the washing out. (That is for 2 people.) In my house we have seven people & washing never takes more then 10 mins to hang & 5 to fold. Quick tip - fold the washing as you take it off the line. That way all you have to do is unpack the basket into everyones piles.
5. Don't forget you time. Get your husband to look after your child for an hour when he gets home so you can go for a run or sit down & read a book. God for you, good for their relationship.
2006-09-07 11:41:12 · answer #1 · answered by Nikki 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to organize your time better. Perhaps get someone to look after your child whether it is a family member, friend or a sitter for the day. Then maybe get someone to do your house cleaning if you have the money ofcourse, or you could ask your hubby to help you with some things around the house or ask a close friend to help. Then get the business work done and make sure everything done.
If you need to, make a schedule of everything you need to get done.
2006-09-07 12:59:20 · answer #2 · answered by drunken_monkey1988 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone will tell you to organize which is very important but also as important is set a schedule, a routine that you put both yourself and your family into. I have 4 kids and have worked both outside the home and did a home based business and found that setting routines for all of us not only helped us get and keep organized but we knew who was doing what when.
You will find that a routine will help you through the day, keep you on track and make things alot less stressful for you.
2006-09-07 13:56:52 · answer #3 · answered by kimmi_35 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know from being the mom of a special needs child that it can be difficult to keep house and take care of the paperwork you do for your husband. Just do what you can do and try to at least get one major thing done a day. The next day, make sure your major is still "clean" and do another one. It may take a while, but it is going to happen. Just keep your focus and everyday remember it's just one more thing. Also, like someone else said, get your husband to help. Your helping him, let him help you too!
2006-09-07 13:27:49 · answer #4 · answered by Slam64 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The next time your baby is asleep, take a nap. And every time your baby naps, you nap. You see, the problem is that new born's are outside like the rest of us, but still inside in spirit by the mother and the baby. You also feel that the baby is still inside you. You have to be both of you for a year or two until the baby begins to separate on its own. You don't do the separating, the baby does, but you give to the baby what it is ready to do.
Otherwise, simplify your life unmercifully. Let your husband cook some, clean some and wash some. Husbands are also still under the impression that they are bound to you, or a bride like you are to your baby. This happens because when the husband was a newborn he was forced to separate to soon by the mother.
Enjoy because you are in the zone.
2006-09-07 13:02:46 · answer #5 · answered by zclifton2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shannon is giving you good advice above. To get organized means prioritizing your time against the tasks to be performed and your expected time of completion. Decide which things are most important, determine the amount of time it will take to accomplish each and then make a schedule around the time needed to spend with your child and insert those tasks into each of the available time slots. Shannon is also right when she says that its not all your responsibility. Raising a child, earning an income and improving your home are all parts of the marriage which require both parties to give and take, regardless of the task to be performed.
2006-09-07 13:01:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh boy!!!!
I am a mother of 5,there grown now but I remember when.
You just have to be more determined!! Ask your husband for help, for the little things like sweep or vacuum, that way you can spend the time on the bigger jobs like dusting and dishes and cooking and Taking care of the baby.
Explain to him that your trying to do it all but its not working out as planned and that you know hes a very busy man but just alittle help would go along way.
See men have to be complemented all the time for what they do,and if you start by complementing him then ask him for help he will be more willing to do it!!!!!
2006-09-07 12:57:28 · answer #7 · answered by robinsnest0762 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to go to www.flylady.net.
The Fly Lady is Marla Cilley. She used to be disorganized and has written a book on how to get organized called "Sink Reflections: Fly Lady's Baby Step Guide to Overcoming CHAOS". CHAOS stands for "Can't have anyone over syndrome".
She also has a call-in radio show on Thursdays beginning at 11:00 on www.worldtalkradio.com.
Take a look at the website. Everything you need is there.
Her system is easy to follow. Her philosophy is "your house didn't get disorganized overnight, it won't get organized overnight". It will take time. Her plan has worked for me. I highly recommend this.
2006-09-07 14:38:35 · answer #8 · answered by Suzy Q. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you have to start with what's the most important thing- make a list and just do one at a time until they are all accomplished- as far as the house maybe you could find a sitter for a day and take the day to get your house in order- then it will be easier to keep up with it- also get your hubby to help- it's not ALL your responsibility
2006-09-07 12:50:24 · answer #9 · answered by shannon 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My sister has a similar problem with 2 (very active) boys, and both her and her husband being packrats. So she got help from my mother, one of the neighbors, and me to help clean and organize her house. Once that's done, it's easier to maintain.
And yes, your husband should help some too.
Good luck!
2006-09-07 12:56:40 · answer #10 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋