I am overwhelmed with house work. it seems like everytime i get one thing done something else is a mess. Help?

Question

The everyday house work is so much with two children, a husband and a dog that when i get through i don't feel like doing the other stuff. Like dusting, vaccuming, mopping, and putting up laundry. what should i do. My husband works all day and part of the evening. I work wednesday nights all night and all day on sunday's. I am just so stress that when it is time for me to do the cleaning i just don't want to then i procrastant until it is to much. HELP!!!!!!!

Answer 1

I'm sure like most of us, we learn as we go, and the one thing I have learned, is never to leave whatever should be done today for tomorrow. Because tomorrow you will have double work. the first thing I do before my coffee if put a wash in, and after I have my
coffee in the morning and read my paper. I sweep the floor, do the dishes, and straighten out the kitchen. I then go to the bedroom, and make my bed, hang up any clothes that are hanging around. Then put the wash in the dryer. Stop and have some O J of other juice. Now tackle the bathroom, Clean the sink, and tub if needed,put clean towels and wach the floor.Now I have a box that I covered with decortive contact paper, that all my grandkids toys are in, So first teach the children, when they finish playing this is where there toys are to be kept,You can make it a game. Everyone take a toy and sing clean up, clean up, everybody do there share etc. put a timer on for 10 to 15 minutes and see if they can get it done before the timer goes off. If there are toys the next morning, it won't be so bad to put them away. Take your dusting rag and spray furniture polish on it, and go through the whole house, see that wasn't so bad. and you don't have to do that all the time. OOPs! almost forgot, its time for lunch. Stop everything, relax and enjoy your lunch, at the same time think of what your going to cook for dinner, make double the amount, and freeze one have for next week(its almost like you gave yourself a day off). Once you get into a routine everything will fall in place. And you don't have to do this everyday,

Answer 2

Well the dog wont be much help, but I have enlisted my kids into the cleaning army. Each day at a pre set time we pick up the house, the kids are great help and it teaches them to be responsible for thier own messes. I also try to do laundry early in the morning as I can do other cleaning while the laundry is being done. You cant have a spottless house 24 hrs a day no matter how hard you try....especially with kids, but a couple of hours a day should be enough to keep it clean. You also mention that both of you work, is hiring a cleaning service once a week for a deep clean an option? I have tried it and it seems to work well.

Answer 3

I'll agree with the routines and lists. Those have worked for me. I especially like lists, because once I mark something off, it's nice to not have to worry about it.

There's also what I like to call, "one room at a time." Say I'm in the kitchen; I will clean everything there from top to bottom, including cleaning out the fridge and freezer to cleaning out the light cover (where the bugs and cobwebs collect) down to mopping the floor, before I move on to say, the living room. Do one room a day to get started, then form a routine to keep it clean after that. I prefer cleaning things the minute I notice it needs cleaning.

Is there anything you're not very good at doing? I can't mop for crap. So my husband is stuck with that responsibility. He also does the toilets and the tubs. Ask your husband to just do some tasks that maybe you're not so good at. That way, he helps out, he isn't bogged down with half the work, and you know he's doing a better job at it.

Answer 4

Do a room a day. One day is major over haul of the kitchen. next is the living room. Next day bathroom, then laundry......
After you get that one room done just do a quick tidy of the rest. Throw the dirty clothes in the laundry room from the bathroom, get the kids to pick up theirs. They can help pick up the toys in the living room so you can use the vac. Dont worry about the dusting you can do it just once a week on the day you pick to do the living room.

I have two children (2.5, 4.5) i work evenings and my husband works days. I feel the same ways as you, I only do the house once, once i do the living room I dont worry about it for the rest of the day. it is more important to have time to spend playing and teaching your kids then to have your house clean all the time. You can only do what you can do, even though we feel like robots we dont have to function like them. I hope this helps. Good luck and good health to you and your family!

Answer 5

Why don't you make a list of things to do each day. For instance, do laundry one day a week , sweep and mop one day, etc... That way you fell like you have accomplished something but it doesn't all have to be done in one day. Dust every 2 weeks and do the dishes after you are finished eating so they are not waiting on you. I hope this helps.

Answer 6

I know exactly how you feel. I have 3 kids all under 5, a dog, and a cat. My husband and I both work full time. My house isn't spotless even though I spend a couple hours a day cleaning. I apologize constantly to company but everyone understands. My dishes and laundry stay caught up daily and I vacuum one room each day. My kids don't get to play outside until their toys are picked up and they straighten up before bed. Otherwise I pretty much follow the guidelines from the link below, and I can pretty much keep it decent looking.

http://www.prevention.com/article/0,,s1-6-72-58-7838-1,00.html?cm_mmc=Ounce%20of%20Prevention-_-3%2f20%2f2007-_-Home%20%26%20Family-_-The%20Busy%20Woman's%20Guide%20to%20Clean

Answer 7

I have three children, 5,3, and 1. GET THEM INVOLVED!!! Make it fun for them, make it into a game and STAY CONSISTENT!! If you dont stay consistent it will not become a natural habbit for them to clean up after themselves. I also have a stay at home husband and I feel your pain. My kids can reap havoc around my house but when it comes to the point that they cannot clean anymore, give them an activity to do at the table while you do the rest. You have to get them involved and let them know that it is their responsibility too to clean up after themselves. "Next to cleanliness is Godliness" I hope that answers your question.

Answer 8

Have you tried using any cleaning system routines? There are lots of different systems out there.

My personal favorite is FlyLady. She is great for helping women realize their houses don't have to be perfect, and that it takes time to get control of your house once it's out of control.

She even has an online system to email you reminders of little things you need to do each day to keep things under control.

Answer 9

How old are the kids... start designating jobs to the kids. My mom always told us if you were big enogh to make a mess then you were big enough to get it cleaned up. Have them pick up their toys and stuff . Teach them how to dust. Make a game out of it.

Answer 10

Have and stick to a minimum and maximum target for your daily routine once you are out of your bed.
Do not pity yourself. You are lucky you are wanted.
Remember to laugh and pray everyday. It is the most important part of the routine and it is the cure for all.