So much to do, how can I stop being overwhelmed?

Pitlanepiglet

I think the theory is that you have to keep doing something for 28 days to change a habit or create a new behaviour.....that's been true for me, for years I've dumped clothes on a pile meaning to put the away at some point, about 6 weeks ago I cleared the bedroom completely and I made myself either put clothes in the wash or back in a drawer or on a hanger (I used to stick things that I was going to wear again on the pile). 6 weeks on, I am putting things away as a matter of course and I haven't slipped back, because it's now only a few bits of clothes each day it's easy.

I'd leave the garage and attic for better weather, even if that means that you just shove more stuff in for the next few months. If it makes you feel better, put an entry in your diary or calendar for April or May to do them.

patchwork_cat

As far as the kids rooms are concerned I would say that cleaning and tidying once a month is good! Don't sweat that at the moment, homework is different, but you can't make them do it if they don't want to. Ask them what they want to do as an adult and establish between you what they need to do to get there.

Valli

subscribing because this is going to throw up useful tips.

My tip for you, OP?

see my sig;)

System

My son knows I like a tidy house. He's a bit of a slob in his bedroom but he knows, if he doesnt keep it reasonably tidy then I will go in there and tidy it for him.

The threat of me touching his stuff is enough for him to keep his room reasonably tidy.:D

Wish I'd thought of this when my daughter lived at home.:mad:

Uniscots97

For us SS is untidy (very), he's close to that point again. As he's older (22) usually the talk of think its time he got some independence is enough to move his behind, just need to work on the cheekiness now

Uniscots97

I've always loved lists. The secret is don't write so much to do so you look at it like its mount Everest. I'm off work at the moment so after getting myself into a rut I think I'll be back to my lists tomorrow. My kitchen I tackled with not a lot of issue (although OH has paperwork shoved into glass fronted cupboards and its doing my head in). Now my health is back on par I want to start tackling the rest of the house. The downstairs is passable but upstairs and the cupboard under the stairs I've let slide but I don't think it would take much to get back on par with that. Also try and concentrate on one thing at a time i.e. a drawer or pulling together various paperwork so you can find it.

dandy-candy

Thanks so much for the advice that's coming in.

It's a really good point about not having to worry too much about losing weight as the healthy eating and extra housework will help with that.

I walked to the supermarket and back with DH today and it was do-able in an hour (just bought enough to carry home) and not too tiring. Currently I drive to the supermarket and load up on all sorts that I don't need. If I start walking a couple of times a week I will only get essentials as its too much to carry otherwise, and the walk will do me good.

I wrote a list of chores (I referred to a old household manual for ideas!), and thought I could start by trying to do 3-5 and build up as I go along.

I'm going to have a read through the fly lady thread now to see how they do it....

Valli

You would be most welcome on the flylady thread. We have some sterling (and tested) tips on sorting.

But I will wait until you join us there.

What I will say though is DO NOT 'assume' that the flyladies are all about housework - far from it - it's about making it manageable. And the simple routines we advocate do work - within a few weeks of joining flylady (note- weeks) you will have a workable routine; so that, when you aren't able to FLY on a daily basis your house does not descend into a pit within days! And I speak as a person who has suddenly had to fly on ONE day a week - which means not every room gets cleaned BUT I am on top of the cleaning such that the lack of regular attention is far from apparent!

Homecooker

I agree with many others - big lists can sometimes be overwhelming. Take it in small chunks that you can manage and congratulate yourself for (very important). Don't beat yourself up if you haven't managed everything - whatever you have done is perfect for that time. Also from your list highlight the MOST important that will have the biggest benefit to your daily life - this way you will always see what you acheived

Re: the teenagers. Not had children myself although have been a nanny for numerous years - I always found giving a choice works well. Instead of asking the kids to tidy their rooms (in their eyes 'nagging') or ordering them to do it (in their eyes they are one step away from POW camp) you could try something like 'OK your rooms need tidying - your choice, you can do it now or after lunch/tea/TV etc'.

Something else to try and if it doesn't work for you, there are always other things to have a go at

Homeagain

UserX wrote: »

Some of my survival tips:

Kids 13+ do their own laundry, including bedding (obv I supervised the first handful of times and of course we occasionally combine loads if that's a sensible way to manage part-loads)

4 week rolling menu plan, typed up and rotated onto the fridge with the main ingredients for each meal listed in the plan to make shopping quicker

I don't go in the kids' bedrooms :rotfl:

Funny you should say that, my sister-in-law doesn't go into her children's bedrooms, I have and they are scarey! Disgusting to say the least. Her eldest did not change his sheets for maybe three years, when he finally did (they were having guests from overseas), the sheets actually disintegrated (unsurprisingly). She says the won't wash them unless they take them off nor will she venture into their rooms because if they 'want to live like that ....'. I couldn't stand it and would be kicking up a fuss. She says she doesn't want to ruin her relationship with her sons over untidiness - I totally disagree. Fortunately my DD is very neat and tidy (more so that me).
Just a thought.