ImThatGirl Posted October 2, 2007 Posted October 2, 2007 I've been doing it for seven years - one would think I should have it down pat. Here's the deal: I work full time. We usually leave the house at 730ish. We have activities 3 evenings a week (swimming, cheerleading, and Cub Scouts.) - Monday / Tuesday / Thursday Wednesday, my son and I drive an hour north to pick up my daughter (from her Tuesday night visit with her dad.) Our weekends are full of activities (Cub Scouts, family visits, birthday parties, add in working on bf's house, etc.) I don't know if it's that I'm getting old or just have my plate too full but by 10:00 pm, I am BEAT! I used to be able to catch up on housework, etc. late at night but can't stay away as late anymore..... I know that we have many other working parents. Even parents that are able to stay home can help. What secrets do you have that further enable you to pack everything you need to do in? Accomplishing the extra activities, feeding friendships, homework, reading, etc. etc. etc. Take alot of time. What are your secrets on housework? Desperately awaiting suggestions!!!!! (Okay not really desperately but thought we could share ideas.)
mumble Posted October 2, 2007 Posted October 2, 2007 Thanks for posting this. I am a male who is recently separated and on his own, but my wife has all these tasks with our daughter. She has custody most of the time and on top of that, her own school schedule. I am looking forward to the responses!
BornToResist Posted October 2, 2007 Posted October 2, 2007 You mean it doesn't get easier? I've been waiting for things to sorta "fall into place" and figured it's going to happen any day now. Boy was I wrong.
ImThatGirl Posted October 2, 2007 Author Posted October 2, 2007 You mean it doesn't get easier? I've been waiting for things to sorta "fall into place" and figured it's going to happen any day now. Boy was I wrong. Just when things fall into place with parenting a "baby," they turn into a toddler. Just when things fall into place with parenting a "toddler," they turn into a kindergartener and so-on.... I certainly miss the baby years.....!
RayKay Posted October 2, 2007 Posted October 2, 2007 Well, I am not a mum; but being raised by a mum I thought maybe I can say what she used to do? She used to work FT time, as well as go to school PT, had three kids (four when she met my stepfather whom also worked FT) and we also were involved in many things like Girl Guides, sports, etcetera. One, obviously, pick your battles - in respect of housework, realize that being perfect is not necessarily within your reach (or where you want to aim). Rotate things....maybe instead of being able to scrub the floors every week, it is more like every two. And, get the kids involved. Divide chores up and do a "Sunday morning cleaning blitz". Of course, this can be any block of time (2 hours or so) where it works in your schedules. When they are little, just have them pick up their toys and do their bedrooms, but as they get older they can also be given a task like cleaning the basement rec room, or dusting the main floor on that assigned day. We used to be on "rotation" for other regulars like laundry, dishwasher and setting the table so that each week we would change our "rotation" (there were four of us kids) and take over a new chore for that week. I see no reason why an 8 year old cannot know how to do the laundry for example. Keep it reasonable - they are still kids, but they should also learn that members of the family help one another out with chores - just like if you are in country you help out with farm chores, in city you can help out with chores too! Like I said, I am still not a mum; but I still use this "method" as I still have a very hectic schedule so I just have regular days where I fit in certain things. I do the dishes at night when I have the time, laundry I do as I do other things like homework, or between running errands/cooking, and cleaning bathroom etc I fit in during an hour or two on the weekend. I don't get to it ALL every week (or even every couple weeks!) but I pick the "must dos" like clean bathroom and dust/sweep and make sure to get at least THOSE done regularly.
spinstermanquee Posted October 3, 2007 Posted October 3, 2007 I'mThatGirl, RayKay has some good suggestions. In our family, we used a chore calendar I made in Word to keep us all getting out the garbage, bulk trash, laundry, yard work, window washing, etc. - even though there were only three of us, it kept us on schedule. If you want a sample, PM me and I'll send one to you. In the beginning, days where things weren't done got a and days that got done received a At the end of the week (when she was little) and at the end of the month (when she was older) we evaluated the calendars and the one with the most smilies got a bonus (I hate to tell you this but my husband usually had the most frownies) Cheers!
ImThatGirl Posted October 3, 2007 Author Posted October 3, 2007 Thank you all for your suggestions! RayKay, you reminded me of how we used to do things at my mom's house. I'm going to try that again... (Have tried with my kids but somewhere learned it's just easier to do myself while they are playing..) But that obviously isn't working So! Thank you also for reminding me to pick my own battles... I do that. And then it seems I am so far behind. I always find a way to catch up but it's a struggle. I realize I can't conquer the world - and will use your suggestions to maybe start a new cleaning routine. Wendymg - sounds great! Thanks for sharing. (Sending you a pm.)
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