SAHM's getting organised in 2009!

[Deleted User]

I wondered about organising cards for the year in advance and wondered if I was being silly and 'too' organised! So welldone MSdiva, I think I will do it!
Anthea Turner tip: when you go out for a meal or something with friends, have a 'thank you' card addressed and ready so you can fill it in and post it as soon as you get back. Never actually done this but it's a similar theme to your suggestion and may help others... Was told this was a symptom of obsessive, compulsive disorder but never mind!

[Deleted User]

Sorry... apology to Lalaladybird and MS Diva, realised I was reading the wrong names so well done to Lalaladybird for being organised, (embarressed now)

[Deleted User]

Another thought/ tip... my mum (the working from home super organised teacher) has a 'timetable' printed that she blue tacks to the inside of the kitchen cupboard door and it has things like her teaching rota but also what cleaning and chores need doing so she'd have say, Monday would be hallway, Tuesday bathroom and then then once a week she'd write letters and then washing was always done daily. I didn't stick to it when I tried Oh and I was trying to work out how to remember once a month or similar items?

Ishtar

Reading your post, Antonia, reminded me of how we used to split things in the days before children! We pretty much did the chores we liked - ie. OH would clean bathroom (a job I loathe) and I used to do the ironing (yep, one I enjoy). Neither of us would venture into the washing up until it was threatening to take over the house :eek: (we have a dishwasher now!). Somehow, there was enough crossover for us to cope with things.

Great idea about sticking lists inside the cupboards - just a thought, though, for your monthly things, how about writing them on the calendar? We've been for six months without a calendar in an accessible place, which has made for huge amounts of chaos. We finally solved that over Christmas by taking down a redundant shelf unit in the kitchen. It's made all the difference.

We have another calendar up here in the spare room, which we try to keep updated as much as possible, but the kitchen one is the masterplan!

D

skipsmum

Can I join in? Im sort of a SAHM, I home-ed DS2 and only work in the summer.
Plans for January: flyladys morning and evening routines
* get bed time routine going for DS2
* cook proper meals
* put breadmaker on at night
* walk the dog myself everyday instead of delegating to DS1
* make flasks and packed lunches when we are out

I know theres going to be loads more....eek!

morganb

Antonia wrote: »

Another thought/ tip... my mum (the working from home super organised teacher) has a 'timetable' printed that she blue tacks to the inside of the kitchen cupboard door and it has things like her teaching rota but also what cleaning and chores need doing so she'd have say, Monday would be hallway, Tuesday bathroom and then then once a week she'd write letters and then washing was always done daily. I didn't stick to it when I tried Oh and I was trying to work out how to remember once a month or similar items?

Yes, I've done this and I find it very helpful ... and motivating!
I've also got lists on the inside of my cupboard doors so that I know what food I've got; and I tally the number of things I take out ... does that sound really sad???

[Deleted User]

This is not good I'm becoming addicted to these posts which means my house will be disgraceful, lol!

Oh well, my fiance has decided to save money by not going to the cinema tonight (we've got popcorn at home and lots of dvd's we've not watched) which means I can get stuff done as well as watching tv (computer in the corner of the room so can scan stuff, etc).

Anyway, what I actually came on here to say was someone was beating themself up because their brother had come round and they were playing guitar hero instead of clearing up... I would say it's much more important to take the opportunity to have a laugh and time out with family or friends because you'll remember that later (I also take photos of things like that), you won't remember how tidy your house was/n't. In 5 - 10 years time you may have a great time reminiscing with your brother 'about the time you played on the wii sillily together'! So don't beat yourself up!

rippedoff3

i find the set tasks on certain days doesn't work for me, i prefer to list what needs doing per week and then do them as and when. I can now go out at the drop of a hat if the sun is shining or a friend wants to meet ect.

skylight

rippedoff3 wrote: »

i find the set tasks on certain days doesn't work for me, i prefer to list what needs doing per week and then do them as and when. I can now go out at the drop of a hat if the sun is shining or a friend wants to meet ect.

Same here! A chart telling me what to do would be the first thing to be cleaned away to the bin!

I do have a good idea of what I want to do, but don't always do it. I used to therefore not do anything if I didn't want to do the planned job and then nothing got done!. But I have changed it to ensuring that I do something rather than the nothing. Like today, for example. The idea this morning was to give the hallway a good going over. But I couldn't be bothered! So instead today I have sorted out my craft bag and stuff into a larger old blanket box so its all in one place and tucked away and have washed my bedding and all the nets (you never realise how dirty these things are until you get them down, do you??!)

So although its not a lot, I am happy with what I have achieved today.

sam010185

Well I've had a pretty productive week this week. I have got up with my DH at 6 every morning (I normally just stay in bed til DS wakes up so normally miss DH in the mornings) and whilst there's not been much conversation going on I've been up! I've also made him lunch to take to work everyday (apart from today as he finished at lunchtime) so I reckon this week I've saved us around £20 just by him not buying lunch!
Both of our laundry baskets are empty (although DS's clothes are waiting to go into the dryer tonight) and all of the clean washing has been folded up and put away.
I've cooked dinner every night - no cop outs of getting take away!
And yesterday, I had no housework to do so even had time to take DS to Rhyme Time which he thoroughly enjoyed!
I am on my way to phasing out the jars of baby food, need to get a stock of meals in the freezer for him for when we have something he cant have (like last night we had pork chops, although I reckon he'd give it a good go!). I've made baby banana cakes for Ds and carrot cake for DH's lunch.
I STILL haven't got around to the kitchen floor but will DEFINATELY do that on Sunday when DH is at work and DS having a nap.
I have had a couple of [EMAIL="!!!!py"]!!!!py[/EMAIL] days like today because I'm not feeling too well so I have done the minimum and then lazed ont he sofa!
Like someone else has already posted, I think the best thing about getting organised is that I have had time to play properly with my DS or take him out and also cooking proper dinners for me and DH feels great. Long may it last!