After the house is tidy, in no time my 14 month old has mashed banana into the carpet, pulled the books out of the bookcase, emptied the drawers, arrgh.
How do you miracle mothers with clean houses do it?
2007-09-20 12:28:04 · 20 answers · asked by tracebaebe 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
"clean'? what is this... "Clean'?
Just accept a certain amount of chaos, manage it the best you can. I recommend a toy bin and a habit of putting things away when the baby goes down for the night.
Soon your baby will be old enough to play a really really super fun game called "Pick up the toys and put them in the bin!!!!"
Books & drawers you'll have to do yourself for a while. Can't help you with the banana.
Smile and start looking forward to the flushing things down the toilet phase.
2007-09-20 12:45:40 · answer #1 · answered by KC 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This sounds like a matter of setting boundaries. I have a 15 month old and we only have locks on the 2 cabinets with chemicals under them. She knows not to get into drawers, cabinets, closets, etc. and pull out a bunch of stuff. She has her room and her toys and she can make all the mess she wants to in there. The rest of the house we have established boundaries for her. If she makes a mess, she helps clean it up. Granted at 15 months old she's not going to be great at it, but it gives her the understanding that mommy is not a maid. Then it's to time out for a few until I take her back to the "scene of the crime" and remind her that is a "no no." After a few times of this, she knows what she can and can't get into.
I don't buy for one minute that you can't have a clean house if you have kids. That, to me, sounds like laziness and lack of effort. There are no "miracle mothers" just hard working ones that inforce rules time and time again even when it seems like a lost cause. Keep at it, you'll get there.
Good luck!
2007-09-20 14:29:50 · answer #2 · answered by Connie B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a two year old, and babysit 5 other 2 year olds full time. The only way to keep anything clean is to be an organization freak! Everything organized in it's own cabinet, bin, labels are great. I thought I would lose it chasing behind everyone all day trying clean up their mess, then I went and got boxes, bins, drawers and started organizing it all. At one they can start to get involved in helping put things in the box. The sooner you get them excited about cleaning up, the better your chances of having a big helper later on. Good Luck!
2007-09-20 12:35:02 · answer #3 · answered by Ms. Shasha 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A toddler leaves no house unscathed. However, effective baby proofing can do a lot for cleanliness. You home may not look as pretty with everything at shoulder level, gated off or locked away, but it will be easier to live in.
Another way to keep your home clean is to only allow food in the kitchen or at the table. Something like "we sit down to eat" is very effective. It also keeps your child from snacking all day and developing poor eating habits.
By one year old most kids love 'helping' with household chores. Their help usually makes more work for you, but it's good to encourage them in it. You can even sing a clean up song. Here's the one I use:
Clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere.
Clean up, clean up, everybody do your share.
Clean up, clean up, pick it up and put it there.
Also, white vinegar is an antimicrobial that is totally non-toxic, cuts through grease, lifts stains and combats odors. It's also super cheap and you can get it by the gallon. Pour it in a spray bottle and it's a perfect 'anywhere spray'. Stock up on paper towels, and get the multi size kind, as most things you wipe won't need a full towel.
Hope this helps.
2007-09-20 13:37:31 · answer #4 · answered by Meghan H 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I keep only a certain amount of toys in the living room, the rest are in my son's room. Anything with multiple pieces gets it's own bin. I try to put his stuff away throughout the day, at nap time, and at bedtime.
I also got rid of his toy thing that had drawers. Maybe shelves with a few toys on each. Kind of like at a day care center. You can put a picture of each toy on the shelf, then it will be like a game to put things away.
As for the food, I have a dog. Otherwise, I don't know what I would do.
2007-09-20 14:54:12 · answer #5 · answered by berrel 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, the clutter there is not too much you can do about it. But to make things a bit easier on you - I only let my children eat in their highchairs or at the kitchen table when they got older.... it keeps food in one area then and there is really no reason a child should walk around the house eating, it makes a huge mess. In my kitchen I lock most of the cabinets (using childproofing devices) so they can't empty those drawers. Toys, well, they're everywhere but I'd pick them up at naptime and again at bedtime. Not much more you can do! Good luck!!
2007-09-20 12:36:41 · answer #6 · answered by Mom 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't have children, but I spent a week with my cousin who has a 5 year old and a 1 year old.
Yes, the baby was very good at making messes. Cheerios everywhere, milk spilt on the floor, etc. However, my cousin would just clean up once the baby was done and ready for a nap.
....It actually didn't look that hard.....
2007-09-20 12:34:11 · answer #7 · answered by Ema-Leigh 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i don't care what anyone says. if you have small children, you have a messy house. it's a part of life. I always make my 4 year old pick up his mess before bed. then, i go and vacuum, wipe counters etc once he's in bed. that's something we started at about 2 years old (we would help now and then). now, it's not an issue having him clean up his own mess. start young and it's not such a big problem when they get older.
the miracle mothers you mention probably have nannies and housekeepers.
2007-09-21 08:34:47 · answer #8 · answered by menotyou 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly the only time I clean is when he is asleep! I clean at naps and at bedtime! Oh and it only seems that people want to come and visit me when the house is a complete mess? What the heck come over at naptime when the house is nice and neat! Sorry I'm not more of a help but I dont think you can keep it clean unless you just follow him or her around the house all day! Good luck!
2007-09-20 13:06:05 · answer #9 · answered by prncsssk 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Forget it. Let the house go. Keep things safe for your baby and keep things out of his reach. Clean up what might attract mice or bugs and don't let anyone get hurt from the messes. Other than that, I think the so called miracle moms are a crock. Put the baby first ALL THE TIME (ahead of cleaning the house, I mean).
2007-09-20 12:55:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋