Constantly cleaning

[natchloe]

Hi there everyone.
Just a small question, do you ever feel like all you do is clean the house by going over the same things all the time.
I feel as though I just dont have enough time with the kids because I am either vacuum, mopping, cooking ect.
Then I get frustrated at the kids when they mess it all up again.
I am getting into a rut I think and need to work on a good routine. Any ideas?
Natalie:)

[Teeka]

YES YES AND YES.
I always feel as if all I am ever doing is cleaning, working & sleeping. I dont have any suggestions for a routine because i battle to find one for my self. Just wanted to let you know that you are not the only one in this boat.

[Mad Old Cow]

I think most of us feel like this most day's Natalie i have told my DH when he is over a knee operation that i will be taking a week off & i will do nothing not 1 thing & he knows i am serious .
depends on the age of your kids if they can help a little & maybe if your mum is close by she may be able to help 1 day a fortnight, honestly i don't know if there is an answer but maybe just try a few different things, maybe go to bed earlier & rise an hour earlier that would give you an extra hour to yourself. as i said there may be no answer at all but it won't hurt to try a few things good luck Natalie

[Kekka]

Shannon Lush & Jennfier Fleming have written a great book called "SpeedCleaning". If you follow what they say you can keep your housework under control in just 15 minutes a day. Only $19.95....you can get it from ABC Shops & I once saw it for sale in Australia Post.

http://shop.abc.net.au/browse/product.asp?productid=163221

(I don't read much and didn't get to the end of the small book! Must revisit it to gain enthusiasm!!:D The first few chapters made sense.)

[sehyang]

Yeah I'm sure there is a lot of us in here that feel the same, althought I cheat every now and then when I need a little time to myself I have a lady come in and clean (Mop, vaccume and wipe over the bathroom). I can fully recommend it. The poor lady just has to clean around me, it was very hard at first not to pitch in and help but now I have it down pat. :hehe:

[natchloe]

Thanks for that at least I know I am not the only one. I am pretty fussy so I should try and relax more and worry about the house later. I have been trying to clean when my oldest is at school and 3 year old has a sleep and then mop at night.
Who knows hubby is on holidays soon so the house will end up worse than ever. Maybe I should go on strike until next year. lol.
Natalie

[Cherie]

My DH leaves for work most days around five or six am. I get up and do all housework as soon as he leaves. That way I have the day to do as I please. I have been doing it for over 30 years no and it works for me.

PS... Thats why you will see me on here at all times of the day, girls.

[Heather]

Yes....and bloody boring it all is too.

[Naomi]

It's been vaguely better since I implemented the "clean up before getting another toy out" rule but yes, it is still tedious and repetitious. Some days I want to cry. Some days I do cry. This week, just for a change, I've added weeding to the mix ... not just easy to pull out garden weeds, but those sticky painful little ones that grow between the paving stones. I hate housework. I hate yardwork. I wish I had staff.

[miss kiki]

same here..it makes me mad when things get messed up again. usually over the weekend i go all out with dusting and mopping, including everything else in between..but during the week, i'll do the little things, like dishes, sweep at least once/twice, bathroom almost everyday-can't stand a dirty sink!, etc. it's easier that way..pretty much straighten up and just wipe a few things down, including dishes, and some sweeping..that takes me not even a half hour..then later on in the day i'll do the dishes, or DF takes over and does them when i'm in school and he's home for the night..and then weekends we'll dust and mop and sweep and do everything-which is like a big clean up day that takes a couple hours..but if you clean everything each day and just straighten up, it shouldn't take you that long at all. :)

[Rachel]

Yes Natalie I do feel like that.. My mum bought me that speed cleaning book that Kekka mentioned and I have had a quick flick through and it does have some great ideas.. I'm just waiting until Christmas is over and done with and I am going to implement it in the new year.

[crashtestwoman]

I have a rule in my house. I don't start any housework untill 9am (or just after) and I finish promptly at 12noon. If it doesn't get done in those 3 hours each and every day (weekends are a little flexible) it just doesn't get done. I approach my house work like a paid job, and noone is expected to do a job 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. Especailly something as boring and sometimes fruitless as housework. The only thing I do outside of the 3 hour window is wash dishes (although that is why I had kids so they usually do em), tidy kitchen or a little bit of work in the garden (but I don't see that as work cause I love it), oh and pick of the washing (but even then I will leave it there overnight and get it off the next morning).
Some might think I'm lazy but my house is always tidy and I have time to spend enjoying life with the kids so I don't care.

[mel35]

Lazy Deb???? I don't think so....it sounds like a really good routine you've got it all worked out:clap::D

[kimba]

yep feel like that most days.At the moment its worse because of the rain and bubs.Have fallen behind in my washing(due to rain) and am constantly washing up(bottles):)Hubby is also afternoon/nightshift so its hard to do anything during the day as I try to keep myself and the girls quiet as he is sleeping.Next week back to days so I should get back on top of it all-and that means basically what Kiki said-doing it everyday and just generally keeping it tidy:)

[sehyang]

Deb, sounds like you have it down pat. I think I'm going to take on your routine :hehe:

[grammyjo]

I feel that way everytime I clean.

[lookfor]

Hey! girls

we have to get he clean too the house and he help us to cooki and other things.

Don't let him to rest when we are working all the day


Carolina