How do you do it?

Merlot

culpepper wrote: »

My worst problem was always the washing up.
Then about 10 years ago, we bought a dishwasher and the house was so much more bearable..the dirty dishes were out of site and it was easy to pick up the odd cup or sandwich plate and just stick them in too.
When my OH told his dad about the new aquisition,FIL said 'has the house become miraculously tidy?'..apparently theirs had been just the same before the DW.
I know not everyone can afford or wants one but it really helps..I wish I had,had mine when the kids were little.

As for toys clutter ,well a couple of big baskets to swoop everything into at bedtime helps as at least the floor is clear.

Excellent advice, a dishwasher is an absolute must especially with children, they are not terribly expensive to buy now a days, I have had one for 8 years and it broke down a few months back and I spent most of my day washing up and getting nothing else done, treat yourself or get your OH to treat you, you will never regret it.

As pen - pen says, put a timer on for 15 minutes, its amazing how much one can do in that time, it works for me, I used to be really anal about tidying and cleaning, but not now, life's too short, do wee bits everyday and it motivates me to keeping it reasonably tidy, get the children to clear the floor each evening, and simply pull back the duvets on the bed, I rarely make a bed now, I read somewhere it is far better to air the bed so that's what I do.

Don't feel pressured, enjoy your home and your family, a wee bit of dust and clutter never hurt anyone.

Merlot

jannyannie

Hi Folks

Happy birthday MRS B. I don't know what to say other than I try to do it when I see it! Easier said than done. I work 22 1/2 hours a week on 24 hour shifts. I find the only way to do it is not to sit down when I get in and keep going. I have things I do everyday like the kitchen and bathroom. other things get done as and when. The lady who lost her Mum recently, Have you thought about bereavement counselling? Your GP can help you. It really helped me after my Stepson died. X

Penelope_Penguin

Angel, I was just re-reading your post. How old are your children? It's never too early to get them helping (and it gets more difficult as they get older, as all the Small Penguins' evenings are now taken up with homework :rolleyes: ).

During the day I put all of their bits that are hanging around into a basket. I have another basket into which I put clean laundry. When they're home from school they put away their stuff, pair up socks, and put laundry away (for all 4 of us ).

After tea, the 4 of us have *Flybaby Time*. I'm in charge of directing operations :T and put the timer on for 15 or 30 mins (depending on what else needs doing, and how much housework there is). We then do whatever chores need doing, until the time is up. Sometimes I make a list (hoovering, polishing shoes, cooking, washing up, ironing, etc) and the Small Penguins can choose what they fancy. We then have some family time, and I make them a special hot choc.

Penny. x

roguebrogue

Oh how I wish I had a dishwasher.
I work Monday-Friday, and have only been living away from homw (with my partner) for just over a year.
Still have not grasped thje keeping things tidy concept.

I am the same as many people on here, I just can't get the motivation. I know what needs to be done but I can't get myself to do it. Stupid thing is I usually find that when I do finally start doing it I get incredibly motivated and can't stop....maybe even enjoy it!

I know that we should do a little bit everyday but after work all I want to do is veg out on the sofa, so usually it gets quite bad and we do one big 2/3 hour tidy, we swear to keep on top of it, and it all slips back into chaos again with 2 weeks.

It's embarassing as much as anything, I don't like to have friends over unless it's tidy! Oh dear....

Skint_Catt

I do a little bit every morning, a little bit every evening and sometimes lunch hours when I get home, but it just never ends! Having my own house isn't as fun as I thought it would be.

HariboJunkie

Okay I'm probably not welcome here cos I did get the tidy gene. But I hate to hear people beating themselves up over a messy house. TBh my house is probably too clean and it really annoys OH. :rolleyes:

The key is really time management. Give yourself an hour in the morning. NO MSE until you've put a load of washing on, washed the dishes, swished and swiped the kitchen and tidied round. As Pen Pen says....put kids toys in baskets (I have them and blanket boxes everywhere) and they make for quick and easy tidy ups.

Declutter.....if you get rid of half your stuff it looks tidier already.

prepare tea early in the day and do the majority of dishes and kitchen cleaning before tea is served so it's just plates to do after the meal. Then get kids to take baskets up to their room and sort toys.

Then sit down with your cuppa and stop being so hard on yourself. :A

Don't overdo it

HariboJunkie

Skint_Catt wrote: »

I do a little bit every morning, a little bit every evening and sometimes lunch hours when I get home, but it just never ends! Having my own house isn't as fun as I thought it would be.

It IS neverending. :rolleyes: But keeping on top of it helps you feel in control. But by and large it is thankless and will all be undone again. Sometimes I wish I could freeze the family for a day just so I could enjoy seeing the house tidy and the clothes clean and ironed just for a wee while.

vivw_2

How about joining some of us on this thread:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=6573242#post6573242
We, all on that thread, find it difficult to achieve all we want to do and offer each other support

Angelraesunshine

The little angels are 8 nearly 6 and 3 1/2. It took 3 weeks but my 8 year old finally done her room last week only to be messy again by the weekend. My 5 year old is reasonably good and will help and my son who's 3 it can go either way.

they have little tasks the older 2 are meant to do there own rooms and the 3 of them are meant to clean and have the table set for dinner. But most of the time this becomes an argument with me screaming.

I used to have a disherwasher that was meant to be replaced nearly 7 years ago after it was broken but it never happened DH said we did not need one ( then complains that i only wash up once a day as i hate it ) but i will be having one in the new kitchen at top priority he been told lol.


Ok well in from work bit better frame of mind i did finally find the sink plunger and unblocked the sink but that only gave me enough time to wash up and stick a load of washing in the machine before i had to go.

Just finishing my cuppa and them i will go tackle the bathroom.

Thank you everyone that has replied so far Thanks Penny for you flybaby time my kids love hot choc or homemade popcorn think i might do this at the weekend and through the holidays as a way for them to get it would be nice to sit and watch a film with them afterwards and they can have there snack they love things like that but they got to earn it and help me out.

Badger_Lady

When I need motivating, I find an episode of "How Clean is Your House?". It works on two levels:

1) I'm nowhere near that bad!!!
2) Look how lovely it is afterwards... wouldn't that be nice?

And then I get all energetic and start doing all the little jobs to make my house as nice as the one on telly, which really only takes about an hour :-D

I have to music on to listen to as well - and if I'm in a rush it's some awful thrash metal with loads of "ROAR-ROAR-ROAR!!!".