How do I get my house clean today with a newborn and toddler?

Question

I can't get anything done. My baby is always hungry and my toddler gets into everything and is VERY busy. When I clean he makes messes faster than I can clean up. HELP! Need to get my whole home clean this morning, laundry, dishes, mop, vacume, and pull weeds!

Answer 1

dishes go in dishwasher (if you have one.) I use this everyday even if it isn't full. This buys me time to get other stuff done. Start laundry, you can do this with a toddler around. Let them jump in dirty clothes piles or help put laundry in baskets... once the cycle starts you've got 30 minutes. Sit down and read a book, give your children your undivided attention for at least 20 minutes.

Then you'll be able to switch laundry. As for vaccum, do this during snack/lunch time. Give baby cheerios and toddler some of his favorite and get started but make sure you can keep an eye on them both.


as for mopping... this requires naptime.

You really can get it all done.

I have 3 toddlers (2 1/2 year old twins and a 16 month old little boy) I don't have any housecleaning help (other than someone to mow the lawn) and I'm responsible for it all. It all has to do with prioritizing time. I'm not saying it doesn't exhaust me or that I don't sometimes resent being the only one to do this but it can get done.

And yes, the messes get started faster than they get cleaned up. I have started rewarding them (I jump up and down and cheer their name when they put their stuff away). I also make them put their stuff away before bed and reward them with a tablespoon full of mini m&m's (they think it is the best ever!) While it has to be supervised to the highest degree, someday it won't.

Also as a tip: invest in some rubbermaid containers that they have to ask you to play with what is inside. This helps to control one mess before another gets started. This was hugely successful in my house.,

Best wishes to you.

Answer 2

I have a large home and three 2 year old children. What I do is wait until they are watching Dora or something. Then pick one end of the house or the other. I clean at least part of the room and I use a baby gate to keep them out. That way I can hear them and they can come to the gate to talk to me. As the day wears on I slowly progress through the house gating off where I do not want them to go. They can always get to one of their bedrooms and the living room but the rest of the house slowly gets gated off.

As far as the laundry is concerned, my washer and dryer are in a closet in the kitchen. Every time I go into the kitchen I put another load in.

I must say that I have done a few things that do make my life easier. I have had hardwood floors put in and all of my furniture that they can get to is leather. I mop at night after they go to bed and if I need to mop again during the day, I do it while all 3 are down for their naps.

I know it sounds like I am always busy and I am but I do take time every day to play with them and take them outside to play.

Not everything gets done everyday but enough gets done to keep me from going insane.

Answer 3

Ok my girls are 13 montha apart. Lucky for me now they are 4 and 3 but when I had a 1 year old and a newborn this is what I did. I fed the newborn changed her and put her in the bassinet. I then took the playpen and put it in the kitchen with me so I can wash the dishes and clean the kitchen(counters, stove, tables,etc.) When it was time to clean the floor I took her out and put the playpen in the den(right next the kitchen) and I cleaned the floor) 1st job done. By time I was done w/ that stuff the newborn would be ready again to be changed and fed again. I would do that, feed and change the 1 yr old do about 15minutes of playtime and start a load of laundry. I put both babies on a learning mat and start cleaning the den(washer will take care of itself)... When I was ready to vacuum carpet both babies got put into the playpen and I vaccuumed the house. I am getting too winded... Basically what I am try ing to say is you know your babies and you know there schedule. Start saying right now "mommy needs to get this done pls do ________" Make the oldest one help you with things within his/her capabilities and work around the feedings and changings. Believe me you feel like you can't get it done but when you do and you see what works keep doing it. It will get easier but you have to be consistant and use a schedule with those kids if you dont' you never will get anything done.

Answer 4

Get the older one to help you. I made a game out of it when mine were little. I sang a song about what ever I was doing. "we're makeing the bed and tucking in the sheets...." put the baby in a playpen have it in the room you're cleaning. when the baby naps that's the time to go out and pull a few weeds. (with the toddler) now, having said all that... don't try to do this again. one day every now and then is great but give yourself a break. if the dishes don't get done untill after bedtime then that's fine.

Answer 5

I have 3 kids (3 toddlers and a 4 months old baby) and my house is not always neat and organized but I have made up a structure that works for me and for them. When I cook meals I always make more than needed in order to freeze some leftovers to be used at a different day which leave me some extra time to clean up and do laundry instead of being in the kitchen. I also pick up toys just twice a day, but I have taught my kids (3 and 2 years old) to make a mess only in a designated area and to clean up before nap time and bed time. They love to be mommy little helpers and we have the Barney's song (Clean up, clean up) for that which is fun for them. When they do not nap, they know is quiet time to draw or see story books, but still they have to clean up. Just work with them, it is time consuming st first but once they get it it is so helpful that you'll be happy to have found more time to have a more organized home. Good luck! Oh! and when I clean up I always give them a sanll tomwel to each to help me out doing the whole dusting thing...they have a blast helping mom doing chores! Good luck!

Answer 6

Make it fun, I have my son help me. I can't leave him alone while I go downstairs to do laundry so I have him put clothes in the dryer. And he helps me sort them too. It takes a few extra mins when he helps but I know hes not getting into somthing else. When I do dished I set him at the table with a little snack or I do them while he is eating lunch, sometimes I just say play in your room If he messes up in there I dont mind as much. It will alll come together just let him join in so you can keep an eye on him. As for the lil baby they sleep alot so you should be able to get some in between time,

Answer 7

I have a 2 and 4 year old. My 2 year old takes a nap but when he was a baby and she was sa toddler Id also have to wait until nap time or until they were in bed. The kitchen you can get done. Just put the baby in his/her seat on the table and give your toddler a snack in the highchair/booster seat. Obviously food will be on the floor but sweep the floor last. The bathrooom can get done at nap time. Laundry have you toddler help you put the clothes in the washer and dryer. I wouldnt even touch the room that they play in until they go to bed tonight. There is no point LOL You can straighten it up a little though. Make a game out of it with your toddler sing the clean up song.

clean up clean up everybody everywhere clean up clean up everybody do your share. My kids immediatly start to pick up their toys when I start to sing that song. It took a few times at first for them to get used to it but it works.

Answer 8

I have 3 kids, so I understand what you're going through. What I did was I trained my oldest 2 to pick up after themselves. This doesn't always work, but what can you expect from a 3 year old! He gets most of the toys, and what he doesn't get, I will pick up a few toys as I pass. As for the baby, he (or she) may not always be hungry. A lot of the crying may be just wanting to be held. My baby had to learn the hard way that Mommy has other things to do, rather than just holding him all day...even though that's what I'd rather be doing! You need to relax, and take some time for yourself. There is ALWAYS going to be housework to do, and toys to be picked up. If you have family close by, and you really need time to get the house cleaned (not to mention some time for yourself), ask one of them to take the kids for a couple hours so you can get things done. I've never had that, but I have had friends that were more than happy to help out. Just relax...it will get easier!

Answer 9

I am 24 yrs old with a 3 year old and a 1 month old. The best thing to do is to get the toddler preoccupied. I actually had to set down rules when I clean, or let the toddler help you clean. Get him involved. As far as the baby the best time to clean is after he/she has been asleep for 10 minutes. I noticed that when my baby first goes to sleep she is coherant to everything.

Hope this helps

Answer 10

First off, your goal of getting all that done this morining concerns me! That is a huge stressor right there.

Give your toddler a small job to do to help you.
Tell him you are busy with your work and he/she has her work to do, too (play is their work, plus they should be taught to help around the house, too). If s/he helps you dust or pick up his toys or put spoons in the dishwasher or something very small like that - praise her/him for the effort and move him in a new direction while you are working. Tell him/her that when they cooperate with you, you can spend time (15 mins.) with him doing his/her favorite thing. You can do that several times per day. That "fills their attention tank" so you can move on to the next thing. It's is very hard, but remember you don't get these days back and you don't need to live in House Beautiful. Just tidy and organized.
Take care of yourself as well while they are napping or resting. Good luck, mine are 13 and 18 and remember those days well!