how do other housewives do it?

Question

i am 28 years old and i have four children, i am just finding it so hard to keep up with everything! i keep the house fairly tidy, and i cook a decent meal every night etc.My kids are SERIOUSLY messy and i am struggling to keep up with all the normal chores as well as tidying up after my little angels!
Whenever i go visit anyone elses house it always looks immaculate! I am getting so worked up!

my children are 12, 8, 6 and 3 years old

Answer 1

Well I am not a housewife, yet I am a single parent, and you sure have your hands full, this take practice yet it sound you may need to bring balance and routine in each of your day, such as you need to balance out the following
1. Time just for you
2. Time for chores and daily responsibilities
3. Time for your children with quality time with each of your children
4. Each child needs Structure and routine and quality time with you
5. Dont be so concern about the house, you have your hands full apply most focus on them, just try to keep the home from being nasty do dishes regularly , you know the basic, plan your house chore daily, every other day, bi weekly, monthly , priorities your chores , like laundry, dusting, cleaning appliance so on...
make a writen schedule and hang it up some where, with balance and always make sure you take care of your self to maintain your emotional and physical engry level.
if you are a morning person, take the time to wake up ealier to be functional to manage the children in the morning. My morning start at 4:30 am so I will functional and have my happy face on when I get my autisic son up out of bed to bath him and get him ready for school bus to pick him up. If you need more infor you can contact me in yaho messenger ID soulstore.... Remember Balance is the key with structure and be consistant .

Answer 2

Hiya, first of all well done, you are doing well no matter what u think. How old are your children could they take some responsibility for the chores and keeping their rooms tidy?
Also people who have immaculate homes and young children obviously don't give enough time to their kids and are too worried about having the house looking perfect. It doesn't achieve anything by having an immaculate looking house, at the end of the day as long as its clean you can have a whip round after all the kids have gone to bed, put it all in a big massive box!! or get a sofa with under seat storage. That's probably the secret of all these so called super housewives! just hide it!! There is no way one woman could run a house with four children and a husband by herself. its impossible. Also get your husband to help you more, housework is not just a woman's job. My husband is a full time stay at home dad, he runs his record label between looking after the kids and in the evening. I work full time and we both share all the chores, we only have two children and it really difficult for us!

Answer 3

I have five children and I know exactly what you mean. My youngest 5 and the oldest 14. Having a chore schedule helps and they are all required to do the chores and work together. They have to have there task done in order to watch TV or play video games. They all do a good job of helping out and I found that they like having something they are responsible for. It's not 100% and they don't get grilled if the trash is not empty on time. I am pretty flexible. They all hate cleaning their rooms, but a reward system and some team work always seems to help. They all love helping cook and prepare meals, as well as working in the garden. Like I said it is not all 100% and I don't expect it to be and all I asked of them is to give it their best. Of course my 14 year old is learning to have more responsibility and the 5 year old is sometimes more helpful; sometimes I can not give him enough to do - He is always coming to me and asking "Dad do you have something I can do?" Things have changed alot and for part of the time it has been a struggle since my wife has started back to nursing school - Dad is learning too. Be patient and understanding and for the times you want to pull your hair out - just remember that is why God made washing machines (muddy days) =)))lol

Answer 4

First off, forget everyone else. Everyone else is not raising four small children. Take a good look at what you can honestly accomplish in a day and still remain sane. Make it easy for the little ones to clean up. A friend of mine used baskets and plastic buckets, They aren't decoration but even the smallest child can throw a toy in a basket. I used to get up in the middle of the night (sleep pattern totally blown) and clean the house. It got done quickly and systmatically and then I could sleep when I went back to bed. I know your husband has his share of the responsibilitlies but you may want to have conversation about anything he can help you with. Sounds like you are doing a wonderful job and just shouldn't judge the condition of your home by what other people can do. Enjoy your babies while they are babies, you are giving them the greatest gift you can give....you.

Answer 5

My children are 21 and 26.I found my daughter messier than my son.My house has only just started staying tidy in the last 6mths as they have both left home!Relax as long as you know it is clean and your children are healthy and happy does it matter.Who wants to live in a show house.You didnt say if you have a partner but if so maybe he could give you a hand or if you can afford it maybe get a cleaner for couple of hours a week to do the little things you are finding hard to keep up with.I,m sure your children will be happier with a relaxed mum who spends time with them than one that nags about the mess.A lived in house is a happy house!

Answer 6

My Mum had four girls. 4 years between me the oldest and the twins the youngest. She would be up an hour before us and did what she had to do. But from the minute we were old enough a rota was pinned up and we had to do chores. on a Sunday we chose music,, she handed us a cloth she put the music on full blast and we all did i the house work together and we loved it. she made doing chores fun.
Children like routine it will help you in the long run, if they don't lie it stop pocket money or take away privileges.
GOOD Luck

Answer 7

I'm 29 with three kids 10, 6 and 4. I have a maid but I still insist that my children pick up their dirty clothes and tidy up after themselves. It's a life skill that we all need to learn. You should reward them for doing this by telling them that if they hurry up and do their chores you will spend some extra quality time with them, like playing a board game or going to the park. They'll soon whizz through those chores! O.h yeah, if they don't do their chores have a punishment on hand like a t.v ban!

Answer 8

You don't say how old your angels are. I'm guessing the oldest may be around 5. Have the kids chip in and help with the daily routine of picking up toys, making beds, carrying dishes to the sink, setting the table, laying their clothes out for the next day. Involve them as much as possible not only to help you, but to teach them responsibility while doing things together as a family. Set aside certain times for their 'chores' for a routine and praise them for doing a good job (even if it's not perfect). The praise part will boost self esteem and make them want to do more with you.

Answer 9

honey don't feel so bad we all have a hard time i am a mother of three 9yrs,6yrs and 3 years and i find my self in the same battle what i have done is i have each kid do one chore each like my 9 year old does the vac and my 6 year old picks up clothes and my 3 year ol help 's his brother and sister pick up toys and of course they have to tidy up there room i go in once a week for the big clean but they keep it tidy till then . and i give them 3.00 each allowance a week. and believe me it helps. and the kids like to make some extra money too.

Answer 10

I know where you are coming from. Most answers you have got is to get your little angels to help. They will not, why should they? Mummy will do it for them, she allways did. I say "train" them, get them into the habbit (believe me I am talking from experience here) There will be tantrums, tears and slammed doors but will worth in the end. I know thakes less time to just do it yourself but just stop doing things you know they can do at their age, your house will be a bigger mess (while the "training" period) but who cares? They will learn and they will do it. You have to take time to "train" them, never give up, it will do THEM a lot of good at the end of the day.
you have some good answers, you are doing an amazing job and yes other people might just clean when others come around or dedicate too much time to clean or even pay someone to do it. having the cleanest of the houses is not the most important thing is it? By the way, when do you have time to do your hair, nails, etc? remember, you need your "ME" time, sounds selfish but you deserve it. Children seem to love if they have good looking mums. I know mine does, sweet, isn't it? All in all, you are great, well done.