I can't keep my house clean, how do I set routines if I'm not routine?

Question

I'm a Mom with two girls ages 4 and 6. I work 4 days on and 4 days off in 24 hour shifts. I have a 50 minute commute to and from work. On the days I work I wake up at 5:30am and get the kids ready for school and daycare. I drop the kids off in the morning and head to work. I get off at 5 and most of the time I'm not finished up with everything so I leave and pick up the kids if my husband hasn't got off of work yet. I get the kids and get home after 6 sometime and start getting the kids ready for bed, baths, dinner, ect. And they're tired and grumpy. The 6 year old is learning to help some and that's nice. We go to their room and read from 7:30 to 8 and I'm still having to do some work all in between the chaos. When they get to sleep I have to finish up what I haven't done at work, get stuff ready for tomorrow, shower, and try to get some sleep. (contuned in details...)

I spend plenty of time at home with the kids and the house because I'm off for 4 days strait and on the weekends I can work from home. But for those 4 days I'm working the house gets to be a disaster and all I do on my days off are clean. I feel like I'm trapped in this house all the time and don't accomplish anything.

My husband is a huge help, he works Monday thru Friday and works 14 hour days sometimes just a bit more, and he helps me when he comes home from work and on the weekends. It seems like he gets more done than me but it never stays clean.

I tried Flylady and it didn't work well for me mainly because it's hard to get into a routine with my schedule changing and on the days I work no spare time, and I didn't like all the emails. I've decluttered and decluttered and there are few things in this house that we don't need, except paper. (continued)

Paper clutter is a big thing...things from school mainly, everything else in in files. And laundry, it piles up so high and is so hard to tackle, takes up a lot of time. What can I do? How do I set routines if I'm not routine? We moved into a bigger house because we needed more space and now it's just got worse.

Answer 1

Start by making a chore chart the little girls are
able to help you pick up there toys just have a set
place for them to put them. I hate housework but I
have found if I just make a list of things that have to
be done and just do it, that I can have more time
to spend with the family. Just go room by room
and you will get caught up. after that its ju;st takes
everyone to help pick up and share the load. I think if
you just go thru there clothes and limit them to 15 outfits
and a few dresses,that you wont have to doso much wash to do.It will let you have more time to sleep. I will be less
stressfull for you to be able to care for your family.

Answer 2

Well, it's good that you have a husband that really helps.. However, you need a basic routine that you get through everyday.. Since you and your husband work long hours..

Try utilizing your crockpot to make meals while you/husband are at work.. Saving time/energy and clean-up...

I find that if I run the washing machine at night before bed and putting it in the dryer in the morning helps in keeping up with laundry AND by NOT running the washer/dryer at the same time CAN save you money on your electric bill !

Same for running the dishwasher ONLY when it's full on time delay.

I find that keeping ALL the kids toys in one bedroom or playroom can keep things a little tidy by not having to clean up every room with toys... I have nice wicker baskets I keep children's toys in and my children ages 15mnths/3 1/2 yrs. know that before bathtime ALL the toys get picked up/put away ! So that the next day I can vacuum/dust while they eat breakfast !

In the morning before the kids wake up I also give the bathroom a good wipe down with antibacterial wipes and clean the mirror.. Then about once a week I wash all the rugs, sweep/mop the floor and scour the tub/tile and toilet/sink....

I have a "mental" to do list what I would suggest to you a typed list that's laminated that you can check off with a dry erase marker.. That way you/husband aren't repeating tasks and that he can physically see what needs to be done and help you out as well.

For example I wash all the laundry during the week and it's in baskets in the laundry room... When I go to work- my husband will generally fold it and put most of it away.... However, he has to be told to do so.. Which can get aggrivating.. So, if it's on the "to do" list on the fridge he knows it's there w/o having to be asked... Saves many an argument. Good luck

Answer 3

by making a chart this will help. But since you have two children and a husband, your home will never be spotless. Another thing you should try is to have everyone give a hand, yes even the smallest of the little ones, she can help pick up toys, towels, paper etc.... just start now

Answer 4

a) Try request a different work schedule
b)Juggle your budget a little or think of how you could get a Merry Maid service to come in once or twice a month.

Answer 5

You have two kids your house will never be clean again


Just accept that fact and move on.