i am having trouble organizing and keeping my house together?

Question

I have a 4 and 5 yr old and they constantly keep me busy.they are not bad kids,just very busy. i have tried a number of things but it seems once ive cleaned one room the next is a dump! oh my lord, i cant wait till they are both in school!!!

this is why i am confused..my kids teachers say they are the most helpful in class,very clean and even help others,but at home they seem uninterested,they want to help do the dishes but hate to put thier own shoes away!

this too may be my problem,if i go in the living room and there is a barbie on the floor i feel like i might go crazy,i alway apoligize to my guest for my house being a mess and they look at me like i am crazy..it is possible i have other issues?>

Answer 1

I have a 6 year old and a 2 year old. They have this amazing ability of making a huge mess is a short space of time. I have diagnosed myself with suffering from a strange 'tidying up' disorder...! Every morning I get up extra early and completely clean, hoover, dust, washing, washing dishes etc and it takes about 1 hour now (used to be 2 or more!) I have to do all this BEFORE we leave the house otherwise I would be very anxious. That said once I know it is done I can let the place get messed up again all day and not worry about it until the next morning. I don't want my son and daughter to see a neurotic cleaning mother. I let them get on with it and enjoy themselves (whilst trying to instill in them to put toys away after playing with them) I think there is a big difference between a tidy house and a clean house - I feel that as long as it is clean underneath, then surface untidyness can wait!
You have a four and five year old and they are busy exploring and need to be able to express themselves. Don't feel pressured into keeping an immaculate house - any REAL mums out there know what it is like.

Answer 2

Another way of doing things, just a suggestion. We don't buy toys. And we don't let them watch tv (2 young toddlers) except very occasional videos of the Tractor Ted sort, workings of a real farm etc). Of course they are given many toys, most of which we pack up and give to the local orphanage, along with all excess clothes. They only (and we too) have a few belongings (we are not poor!) and the tidying up, which they do (including cleaning the floor and emptying the rubbish and replacing rubbish bag in kitchen) is a game to them as much as playing with a large ball which they roll or we roll on the floor with them. They spend time in the garden with only a couple of playthings and have learned to make their own fun. Also, they have learned how many children have nothing. We sing songs, teach them numbers in the course of doing chores, which actually are not numerous. Cleaning the house does not take long and certainly doesn't go on all day. Then we have time for stories which we make up and songs and examining nature whether it's a leaf or the stars.

Answer 3

This is normal for kids to stay busy and make messes. I have 2yr and 6yr old that do the same thing all day. And I too think my house is a mess and excusing it when folks come over. I would ask the teacher what kind of reward system they use for helping clean up. Cause my son gets money from his dad every week for cleaning up...or we go do any activity on the weekend like park,,,bowling. It makes him want to help clean and now he asks me what eles he could do. He even is getting his sister to help clean now. I would also get bins or rubbermaid containers to store toys in. Label them or get different colors and make a game out of it. Have fun while you organize!

Answer 4

I make my kid do ALOT of chores. She cleans up after herself and helps me with dishes, she sweeps, she even cleans the bathroom sometimes. She is only 7 but usually every day she does a chore or more. Some days we just both clean for hours on a project. Somedays she doesn't work at all... But in general she cleans alot. She loves the allowance and reward charts... and do you know what... still I am picking up after her. She commented to me the other day that I should giver her brothers and sisters because, 'think how clean the house would be then mommy!' I almost burst out laughing. When she goes to a sleepover the house is spotless....

Answer 5

Well my advice is to just keep your house clean, but the clutter of toys will happen. I have three kids under 7 and have been through the frustration of keeping things organized. What worked the best for us was buying two large Rubbermaid containers for each of the kids. They fill these up with toys they are most playing with at the moment. Then, pack up the rest of the toys and store them away. When the luster of the current toys starts to wear off, bring back the other toys and change them out. It's almost like getting new toys every few months, and allows for less clutter in their rooms.
As for cleaning up, each child has different attitudes. My 2 year old loves to clean up, but my oldest has never enjoyed it. I have just accepted some clutter and it helps with my sanity. Just go with what works for you and the kids. There is no shame in having happy kids that play with their things.

Answer 6

I don't know any mom with kids that age not feeling that way. I did start having my kids help with chores at age 4. Like cleaning up their own spills and putting away their own coats and boots. A friend also has a toy bin, the type with several buckets on a shelf, and her kids have gotten good about putting their toys away if she sings the Barney Clean Up Song with them. I've tried it and that song works wonders because they think they are having fun. But until the kids get about age 8 it is really hard to stay ahead of them. I have yet to do so. I have 4 kids 8, 7, 3, 2.

Answer 7

Hi there! I am in the same boat with my two toddler boys. They are not bad but just very busy! The best thing for me has been to designate special baskets/bins/places for each type of toy to go to. At first, this task will seem majorly overwhelming but in the end, it's very useful. Chilren are easily distracted and when you have clear direction for them as to where to put all the cars for example, then they know right away, the cars go in the blue bin. I do offer some bonuses for them helping but I don't believe in rewarding them for things that they should learn to do anyways. It is my responsibility to teach them responsibility and that in life, there are just some things you need to do. I know that they are young but it starts young and I am a firm believer in laying the foundation down!
Another thing you can do to help them cut down on messes in the first place is to have them clean up one thing before moving to the next. Put away the trucks before taking out the blocks.
Good luck!

Answer 8

i have a 11 year old, 8 year old and a 4 year old.Plus if you count hubby since he doesnt do anything but work. I start on one room. I take my time. Usually its the kitchen.I tell them all to pick up their stuff . I give 2 warnings after that i get a black trash bag and put everyting that i have to pick up in there. then i set it in the garage. My kids like to help with house work. you know wiping off and vaccuming etc, making housework fun for them makes it alot easier.

Answer 9

I have a 2 and 3 year old. same boat as you are. I just think, well ok ill have a messy house and do the best I can for now. I also know that when my kids are grown, Ill have a spotless house but ill be sad because my babyshave all grown.

Answer 10

Get them to help you clean up, you can even make it a game. My 18 month old and I have a "clean up" song. When it time to get ready for her bath we sing this song, (even though she can't really sing the song) she gets excited and goes to put hr dolls and blocks in her room. If this doesn't work, give them concequences or rewards for cleaning or not cleaning. Like you can say if you room stays clean today, we can go to the park or if you rooms is not cleaned you can't play your favorite game. Try this and see if it works for you.