Where do i start..advice please...

vanilla

I've never been one for doing alot of cleaning but usual just enough to keep everything running ok but i have noticed that since the kids finished for summer the house has got a lot worse. Everything and everywhere is a mess.
My sister and BIL where up yesterday and they had to move things of the seat to sit down, the floor was covered in toys, the large coffee table was covered in stuff(mainly rubbish). :eek:
The kitchen has a racing track on the floor (my son's birthday was on saturday and that was his present), dish's in the sink, bin's full.
The only thing i've managed to keep on top of is the washing.
My husband is away with the car today and i think this a good idea because i tend to run from the mess (stay away from the house as long as possible).
I don't know how to start or where to start, it's such a mess.
i can never seem to keep a routine going and now with 2 weeks of hoildays left i need to take action before they return to school.
I have 3 kids who don't like to tidy either(ages 7,4,3).
Any advice would be great, where do i start???

rosieben

I would start by throwing out rubbish, clear off the coffee table etc, that will make a big difference. I always find that tidying muddles away, getting rid of rubbish, emptying bins and a general flick of the duster makes a big difference when I dont, or cant, clean. Its basically the 5-minute room rescue (flylady)

or else give yourself 15 minutes in each room to tidy through and generally get things under control. eg - kitchen, wipe tops, wash up, empty bin; living room, clear surfaces, empty bin, quick dust, tidy cushions and get rid of other muddles;

kids might help if you make it a game - flylady recommends using a timer - set kids a task, set timer for 15 minues and let them race to see who can finish first, maybe offer a little reward. might be better to leave this until you are feeling more on top of things though?

good luck!

Angelraesunshine

wow you sure you did not just walk from my house lol I have a (8,5 and 3 year old) on top of that i got building work going on and cement adn dust everywhere too.

Your not on your own ((hugs))

Well i have started banning toys downstairs at least i can shut the doors to there bedrooms and not see it. Though saying that new sticker charts i printed off has helped there rooms be tidier this last week.

to be honest i am just letting it tick over do as much as i can with out wearing myself out is not worth it i am just going to see it out for another week ( they go away with my my to a farm in wales for the bank hols) or till they go back to school then blitz the place.

Try getting them every night after dinner or while dinner is getting ready to take all the toys back and put them away.

My thought is it is hols you cant expect them to be perfect for so many hours especially with 3 of them good luck though hun.

will keep and eye on thread maybe someone will give me inspiration too lol

vanilla

Thanks for the replies going to do the 15mins in each room.
I think my problem is everything needs sorted, money ,house ,routine for kids, i'm a disaster. Thanks for the support, just need to get organized.

rosieben

vanilla wrote: »

... I think my problem is everything needs sorted, money ,house ,routine for kids, i'm a disaster. Thanks for the support, just need to get organized.

dont put yourself down! raising kids can be hard work and its no wonder we let things pile up on us sometimes

If you concentrate on just getting the house to a stage where you feel its manageable, then you can move onto other things; probably best to tackle one area at a time initially else you may end up feeling even more swamped.

re money - check out the monthly grocery challenge and if you're looking to reduce spend there's loads of good advice on the OS forum - let me know if you need links.

dont know if you have seen flylady http://www.flylady.net ? I found it really useful but some people complain about the number of emails daily so if you sign up maybe go for the daily digest to get all in one; there's also housefairy system for kids, you can read about it here - http://www.housefairy.org/ but if money is tight, then maybe you could set up a simple game/reward system to get the kids involved in tidying up?

let us know how you get on

HTH

sexymouse

Try looking at this thread (weekly flylady) - it has really helped me to get on top of the cleaning, and there are loads of supportive people on here with lots of kids who know what you are going through.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=531876

Money~Bunny_3

The getting started guide is helpful (admittedly I maintain it!):
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=346606
Good luck and welcome! :hello: You'll find lots of friendly people here.

rosieben

Money~Bunny wrote: »

The getting started guide is helpful (admittedly I maintain it!):
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=346606
Good luck and welcome! :hello: You'll find lots of friendly people here.

This looks good! thanks for the link, didnt know it existed! :beer:

scrimpingbadger

My advice (and I would one day like to follow it myself) is to send OH out with the children for the day (or even 2), enlist the help of a (non judgmental) chum, get a skip in and sort, sort, sort.

When you've made space it's much easier to clean up.

We're in the middle of a move and believe me, it's been a grand excuse to throw stuff out (don't tell hubbie though, he's a terrible hoarder). And it feels great, let me tell you.

See it as an exciting opportunity and enjoy!! You'll feel so much happier.

Best of luck!!!

Angelraesunshine

Money~Bunny wrote: »

The getting started guide is helpful (admittedly I maintain it!):
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=346606
Good luck and welcome! :hello: You'll find lots of friendly people here.

oooo i did not now about this thread either there goes the tidy up of the bathroom am gonna get a cuppa and read this lol

vanilla

Ok back again to update, i decided to start in a small room(utility) felt great to get it done and to be able to walk into it lol. After that i decided to do the entrance which is small to then the toyroom/computer room (small again) then i took into the livingroom and moved all the funiture about.
Each room i
hoovered
dusted
clean windows
cleared out
organized
and manage to find 3 loads of washing lol.
Now it's onto the kitchen and bathroom, think i'm gonna leave the bedrooms until tomorrow.
The one thing i'm :eek: about is my oldest 2 helped, ok i bribed them. My youngest refused even with bribery.

Thanks for all your advice and tonight i'm gonna take a look at the link from money bunny.