House Cleaning with Kids?

Question

Mothers, Could you please share your cleaning and Organizing tips?
It seems like everytime I turn around I am stepping in something sticky or wet and I am constantly picking up toys. My house is not very big and I am not an organized type of person I really need some tips on how to organize. Thank you!!!

Answer 1

Hi,

The laundry is piled up to your ears, the dishes have a funny green funk growing on them, and you could have sworn you had a table somewhere in the kitchen. Sound familiar? Trust me you aren’t alone. Whether you are a working, work from home, or stay at home mom the household chores add up. With the ever-increasing responsibility of after school activities, volunteer work or just trying to make some time for yourself, the cleanliness of your home seems to be the first to go. A little bit of organization and some help from the rest of family will make the problem easier to handle.

The first thing I would do is enlist the help of your family. Don’t walk around thinking that having a clean house is your responsibility alone. All of those other people live there too, and are capable of helping to make it a pleasant environment for everyone. The man of the house can do more than fix a clogged drain. He can do dishes, laundry, dust, and yes, even windows. Tell him if he’s worried about dishpan hands to wear gloves. Seriously, talk to your husband about ways he can help out. Find out what he hates and the two of you set a schedule that limits the amount either one of you has to do your personal hated chore. Most men aren’t sure which job will actually be of help. Some guidance from you could make all the difference in the world.

Now as far as those little people who live under the stairs go, definite guidelines have to be established. If you manage to catch your children in that stage where they want to help, you have a golden opportunity to teach habits that will stay with them. Teach them that a family helps each other and their job in that family is to keep their home clean. Remember to keep their jobs age appropriate and be patient.

I am the first to admit that organization is not my strong point. Developing a system that makes sense for your life and home is key to household bliss. I usually spend one morning or afternoon a week cleaning the house. The rest of the week is spent keeping up with daily chores and laundry. It never ceases to amaze me how many dirty dishes and clothes three kids and a husband can make. The whole family takes about ½ hour to pick up the assorted clutter before bed. That way the house is clean and ready to start the day in the morning. That may not work for everyone so adapt the idea to your schedule.

Obviously, for events like a family get-together or party it will take longer than a few hours to clean. During those times I would suggest giving yourself plenty of time and schedule breaks so you don’t burn out. Don’t forget lighting and closing doors to messy rooms can do wonders for the overall appearance of your house.

In my experience keeping up with chores is the best way to prevent them from becoming a bigger hassle than necessary. Of course, if you asked my ceiling fans, they would disagree with me. The traditions of spring and fall cleaning originated for a purpose. It’s a good reminder to take care of those out of the way, semi-unseen tasks that get overlooked in everyday clean-ups. I am especially fond of the fall cleaning so that I have a clean start for holiday decorating. For some reason I don’t like the look of sparkling ornaments with a backdrop of dust.

A tidy, organized home runs more smoothly than one that isn’t. Don’t take it too far though. There is more to life than perfect blinds and windows, like family time and enjoying each other. Of course I do suggest being able to find each other, so straighten up at least that much. Seriously, Who ever heard of the attack of the dust bunnies?

Narendra

Answer 2

i am sooooo the same!!!!

iv tried loads of things over the year but i tend to find that b4 i go to bed i load the dishwasher and set it so it comes on through the night so it is ready in the morning to be unloaded and reloaded through the day. i make sure the toys are all picked up when they go to bed too so you start a fresh in the morning.

so when i wake up i feed the kids their breakfast and while they are eating i unload the dishwasher and load what there is left from the night b4, then i wipe down all the counters, if the weather is nice ill put a load in the washing machine.by then the kids should be done eating so i let them play or watch the telle while i dust and hoover. then i kind of leave it till they go down for a nap. so then i pick up all the toys (basically the mess that they have made through the morning) then re hoover (i have 2 dogs aswell if your wondering why i hoover loads), i pop upstairs and wipe round the loo and bathroom.then i mop the kitchen floor.sometimes i will do some ironing it depends if i can be bothered.

A tip for bathtimes - when they are in the bath i always clean the sink and pick up shampoo and bathwash and stuff like that and put it away and clean the floor in there as its laminate.and i ALWAYS make them put there bath toys away when the bath is draining so then you done have to go back up and do it yourself!

then when the kids are asleep as i said at the start i load dishwasher and pick up toys ready for the next day, and its normally a good time to get the iron out!

i always have a good tidy up upstairs and hoover once a week too you just have to fit it in somewhere. i tend to do it on my husbands day off so he can watch them as you havnt got the kids round your feet.

my kids are 1 and 2 by the way.
i hope this helps

Answer 3

Baskets, are a lifesaver... Our kids play with toys in the livingroom and it can get pretty messy.. I have nice big wicker baskets with all our toys in it...They can play and have fun and then when it's nap time I can just put everything back in a basket in the corner.. Another thing is to limit the toys they play with, I have a basket under the entertainment stand full of toys that I rotate on a weekly basis.. So, it's like having "new" toys.. So they don't get bored... In their bedroom I have a toybox/bin with toys.. I have toys "stashed" everywhere... The bins and wicker baskets are a lifesaver... I like to vacuum every morning as part of my "routine", I also wipe down the bathroom every morning with some anitbacterial wipes.. It freshens the room w/o too much scrubbing.. I do the major stuff at night before bed.. I also, like to clean/mop the kitchen nightly so when I wake up it's not a disaster.. The thing is to get on a routine and try to stick to it.. My husband will occupy the kids at night while I start a load of laundry, wipe the counters, load dishwasher etc... He and the kids at night are in charge of the toys.. My children are 1yr. and 3 yrs... Good luck

Answer 4

We have a small house as well (maybe 1000sq. ft.). Two kids, 13 & 5. They are responsible for picking up their own things, if not, they are tossed into the garbage. This didn't happen overnight, it took a lot of thrown away toys and constant reminders. Now, we barely have to say anything at all. The 5 year old even cleans her own desk once a week.

Answer 5

I am the same way. I make my kids clean up their own messes. I tell them that I am not their maid and I don't live here by myself so they have to clean it up. If your still refuse, let them know that if they don't work, they don't eat. That is how my grandmother raised my sister and cousin and I. I can remember missing a few meals just out of defiance but quicky went back to cleaning.

Answer 6

ALL U CAN DO IS YOUR BEST TRY TO DO IT WEN THEY GO TO BED AND WEN ITS CLEAN TRY GRT THEM OUT OF THE HOUSE SO IT STAYS CLEAN