OS organisation - how do you do it?

rosieben

I've been reading about the 20:80 principle (I’d met this in a work situation but it applies just the same in the home).

Basically the theory is that it take 20% of effort to achieve 80% results.

Your 80% results are the things that have the most impact in keeping the house running smoothly and keep everyone happy - for me its something like, in no particular order:

• food buying and meals prep
• laundry
• washing up
• clean bathroom
• clean kitchen
• clean bed

Everything else is a bonus and if you dont get around to it let it go; it just isnt worth spending that extra 80% effort for!

I live alone and am disabled, but even on bad days I try to still ‘swish and swipe’ the bathroom each morning (ie max 5 mins, tidy, wipe basin, clean toilet) and shine the sink (keep the kitchen sink area clean and tidy). These two things (from Flylady) take very little time but make such a huge difference to how the place looks and make me feel more positive, so that’s where I can expend least energy for most benefit. On good days I try to work to a granny cleaning system – certain tasks allotted to certain days and it works fine, I have weekly, monthly and seasonal jobs

I think you’re right, you may have to delay some OS things for a while Don't fret though, your kids will be off to school before you know it and you can fetch out the jam pan! That will be another phase of your life, for now just enjoy these precious early years with them

HariboJunkie

I think you do an amazing job Ness with 3 kids still at home. :A When mine were at home I cut every corner going.

My routine is based around working from 10-2.30 4 days a week and having the girls home at 3.30.
I try and do as much as possible through the weeke to leave weekends free but it rarely works out like that.
I don't really have set days for stuff but I try to keep on top of stuff every day and I find that means no major cleaning sessions.

Daily....1 load of washing, cook tea, clean kitchen and bathroom, hoover house and wash kitchen floor.
Twice weekly.....Shopping, sort out mail and file.
Weekly....2 hours ironing, wash upstairs floors, batch cook and bake, recycling.
Every 2 weeks....change bedding.
Monthly....wash windows.

FrenchMaid_2

I do something very similar to angie loves veg - I have a list with things that need doing on a particular day and things I would like to do too. Now bearing in mind that DD has to be entertained as well and work (as in paid) we have to be realistic in what can be achieved. I usually breakdown all the tasks into easy 15 minute slots i.e. I plan the chores in a way that I now the task can be achieved in 15 minutes. This works for me, e.g. hoovering downstairs takes about 15 minutes, hoovering upstairs 15 minutes, changing bedding 15 minutes, putting load of washing into washing machine, emptying TD, clearing washing up away 15 minutes and so one.

ness_w

Maybe you just can't plan life with toddlers!

meanmarie

Ness...I think that you are doing very well if they are clean, warm and fed...I had seven children and the 'musts' of school runs, food shopping, dinners and clean clothes took up most of my time when they were young...so give yourself a pat on the back and do what must be done...you are taking the littlies for a walk most days, that is very worthwhile, so don't worry too much about the schedule you feel you should be keeping to...some of your children must be old enough to help with clearing table and tidying up after themselves.

You doing a great job!

My schedule? don't have one...laziness is my middle name!

Marie