Working mums, How do you do it?

sandiep

coco1980 wrote: »

At the moment I have 2 big bags of laundry waiting to get done, the problem being that my tumble dryer has broken and we only hve old storage heaters at moment so although I have 2 drying horses full it takes soo long for everything to dry:o

Trip to the Laundrette, £5 big load of drying done. Collect next day all dry and folded.

I don't have a tumble drier, use airers and washing lines, but invested in the laundrette over the snow period. Well worth it. And cheaper for me than buying and running a tumble dryer.

HJandR

Hi I have just read through this thread with interest ! I feel a bit better about home now, as I think many of us are in the same boat !! I work full time and have a 4 year old DS. I do have a cleaner for 2 hours a week, but hubby does very little at home in terms of cleaning - apart from wiping down the kitchen side once a week and tutting about the standards of cleanliness in the home (cleaner !!) and how he has to spend HOURS cleaning !!! - he somehow never notices the bath, shower, toilets, living room floor, windows, ironing, washing basket... need I go on !!!

Anyway, I did do about 6 months without a cleaner, and only just managed to stay sane, although it got done I found I was a frazzled wreck and had no quality time with DS, and when I did spend time with him I was juggling jobs and snapping at him.

I keep the place tidy throughout the week, picking up as I go. Wash as needed and use the tumble drier (too much) - ironing is a minimum, as try to hang up after tumble drying, but otherwise spend an hour or so on Sunday night ironing. I change all beds and wash on Sunday morning. Do the weekly shop on a Friday night - as I leave work a little earlier on Friday so can do it en route to collecting DS and not loose time with him.

I am really bad about organising meals and planning - I am veggie and not very organised about food, hubby is a carnivore and eats very spicy food, and DS does eat veggie sometimes but usually eats earlier than us - as we end up eating about 9pm as we start cooking after the bedtime routine.. but this means 3 lots of cooking a day !! I have read the old style threads, and do need to get better.

Overall the house is presentable, clean and shopping, washing and ironing are manageable - but definitely not to Kim and Aggie standards !!

Blackpool_Saver

how about doing an online shop?

Shandella

Hi coco1980, hope you are having a good "organised" day, I thought of a tip today that my nan gave me years ago. She said when she was indoors she always carried around a damp teatowel with her and as she was walking from room to room anything that was at waist height she would run the teatowel over (i still do it, i use a damp e-cloth) it kept dust to a minimum and everyday somewhere got a wipe over. I

theladsmum

Online shopping is the way to go!!! Get all the bulky/heavy/non-perishable stuff for the month, then as much stuff for the fridge/freezer as space allows. Only need quick top up shops for milk, fruit, etc.

Don't get too het up over the state of things. So long as things are hygienic, you're fine.

Get the rest of the family to help out - might seem like even harder work than doing it yourself, but pays off in the long run.

Most of my friends are part time workers - lucky so and sos!!! I work full time Mon to Fri, and find my weekends vanish too quickly. Wish I had a day off in the week on my own to do "jobs"

coco1980

i do online shop every now and then but hate paying the delivery charge lol
i didnt get home till 8.30pm today and after feeding everyone i went in and done my kitchen including the inside of oven and microwave:T I did have a glass of wine handy whilst doing it but I feel so much better that it will be clean in morning:D

money_maker_3

My only thing is accepting that the house does not have to look like a show home all of the time !! Once you accept that, you can give yourself a bit of time off and allow the lunch dishes to sit till dinner time every now and then !! Only thing is dont accept it too much !! I did that after my 1st and it has taken me to have my DS last year to start to get organised again !! But I still accept that I am not perfect

Pinkylouloubell

Larmy

Just out of interest how much do you charge per hour for cleaning??

i am a single mum and I work full time in a school

I seem to have no time o myself at all or to spend with my son so was wondering about possibly getting a cleaner in for a couple of hours a week.

bugbabe1970

Hi all,

I work 35 hrs a week Mon -Fri, !!!!!!. Also attending uni, 2nd year degree!!
3 kids 15, 12 and 8
DH works full time - teacher

Have worked part time/full time since i was 18, apart from maternity leave.

So let me think:

Ironing/ Whats that! lol. Ok, iron all the school clothes for the week on a Sunday night. Fold the rest in lovely piles, when it comes out of the dryer/washing line and put it away. Iron when needed.

Cleaning - Have a good clean and tidy up on a Monday morning before starting shift at 1pm. Just "top up" during the week. Sweep floors everyday and just general tidying up.

Next big clean _ Saturday morning, bathrooms bedrooms etc. But thats it. No cleaning all weekend as this is my family time. I have also learned over the years that there are more important things than having a house like a show home. A house is for living in. My house is clean, and relatively tidy. Trying to keep it perfect with kids and dogs and husband is impossible and only puts extra stress on yourself.

Husbands!! I have learnt over 17 years of marriage that husbands need lists in order to help out with househod tasks. I used to get so stressed out that DH wasnt doing his bit but he used to say to me "well if you dont ask me, how do i know what needs doing" Fair point. So whatever I need doing or havent had the time to do will go on a list for DH and its amazing!! It actually works. Tho only thing he cant operate is the washing machine. After all marriage is a partnership. We are both working full time so I cant see the problem in him doing his bit.

Nice thread Ive got to say though, I demanded a tumble dryer when DS no 2 was a baby. Best thing ever invented!! lol x x

bugbabe1970

OMG How could i forget about online shopping!!!!!! Another amazing invention. I love it as one of my most hated chores is the boring weekly shopping trip

Hugs