My husband and I both hate clutter and both hate our apartment being messy and disorganized, yet we are the worst culprits. We both *try* to keep it clean and neat, but with a hyperactive 4 year old and a 1 year old baby, it seems to always be a mess, which adds to my stress level and to my depression. We can't seem to find a system that will work for us because of the fact that our children are so high needs and there's very little time to ourselves to begin with.
Can anyone suggest any good books (or preferrably websites) that can help us learn how to become and stay organized? Many of the ones I've seen sound perfect and easy enough....but only if there is no children in the household
2007-06-24 06:02:19 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
Try flylady.. Also, your 4 yr. old might like to help you maintain the house.. My 3 yr. old loves when I sweep because he's my "dustpan man". It did however take acouple tries- he would throw away the whole dustpan and dirt ! (LOL)... The biggest thing is routine.. I tend to clean better at night while my husband is getting the kids ready for bed.. .It's then I pick-up all the toys, clean the kitchen and mop the floor... Then in the morning I vacuum before all the toys make an appearance.. I also have the kids help me pick up their toys before bedtime.. I make it a race/game and they like it... I also, have a whole laundry system that works for me anyway... The only thing I can say is to work out a routine and stick with it... Good luck and don't be so hard on yourself... Cleanliness is not the end all be all... Just do what you can and enjoy the children..
2007-06-24 06:10:42 · answer #1 · answered by pebblespro 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The best thing we ever did, organizationally speaking, is to get rid of extra stuff we didn't really need. This was hard for us because both of our parents were always way over the top in giving our children toys and would make us feel guilty whenever we got rid of something they gave us. We finally had to stand up to both sets of grandparents and tell them that no more toys would be allowed in our home. We told them that if there were anymore toys they wanted to buy our children they would have to keep the toys at their house. We also told them we would be decluttering the toys we already had, and gave them the option of going through the ones we weeded out to see if there were any they wanted to take home with them.
Toys are usually way out of control. Children only need a few quality toys, so get rid of any extras, and don't bring anymore into your home unless you get rid of one for each one you bring in. Some people keep way too many clothes also. Really, just get rid of extra cr@p. Then have places to keep whatever is left. Furniture that doubles as storage can be very important if you live in an apartment with no extra storage.
2007-06-24 06:21:02 · answer #2 · answered by Joy in the Morning 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have similar situation, two young boys and a husband that I sometimes consider my third child! I have tried numerous books and sites and "experts". The only thing that seems to work is down-sizing, literally going thru all , and I do mean all our things and giving , throwing away things that we haven't used in the past year. The toy boxes get a thurough "going thru" every couple of months and that seems to keep the messes to a manageable level. Good luck!
2007-06-24 06:11:58 · answer #3 · answered by hibicent 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm the mom of 2 very active children as well and i have a very messy husband as well. what i have done to help me to stay organized is i have bought baskets for everything, movies, games, mail, keys, you name it, i have a basket for it. I have also told my children that it is their responsibility to help me to keep the house clean. We pick up all the toys and put them in their baskets when they are finished, they kids even have their own clothes baskets to put dirty laundry and then to take clean laundry to their rooms. we also take the dirty dishes to the sink immediately after eating, if someone is finished with a can of soda or a bottle of water or a cup of something to drink it gets taken to the trash or the sink. you just have to keep up on it....make it fun for the kids to help, my kids love to help clean. and the 4 yr old is old enough to help you do a lot....the one yr old is old enough to pick up toys and do the little things like that. My youngest is 3 and she helps me rinse the dishes, fold laundry, she cleans up her room, helps to keep the living room clean by picking up her toys, she takes her laundry to her room and puts it away. I think that all you really need to do is get organized, have a place for everything and then stick to it. and help everyone else stick to it. if i can do it so can you. I'm the least organized person on earth, just ask my mother. i mean you are gonna have to remind them a lot in the begining which is a pain, but they will start to just do it soon....heck my 3 yr old reminded me the other day that i needed to put the mail in the basket and not leave it on my computer desk. Good luck and if you need anything just email me.
2007-06-24 06:22:27 · answer #4 · answered by Drea Z 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Flylady.net.. she is your answer!! Not only will your house start to look better, but you'll start to have a whole new outlook on everything. I have been with them for about 5 years.. just love her!!
2007-06-24 06:22:54 · answer #5 · answered by morningglory_69_05 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are some informative links on babydepression.com that may help.
2007-06-26 01:27:30 · answer #6 · answered by rgs_13 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋