I was a professional legal assistant for 19 years. Then I had my third child and we decided I would stop working. I'm not a very organized person and I like my free time. I would rather be doing almost anything other than cleaning. I also really enjoy just playing with my children and I know that is so good for them. My husband is much tidier than I am and he likes things cleaner than I usually can manage. Even though keeping the house clean is technically MY job, every once in awhile, he "has enough" and goes on a cleaning rampage. It usually makes him a bit grumpy because he works very hard at his actual job, and I feel like a loser and a crappy housewife. It's just not in me to constantly clean. What to do??
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I feel like a failure at being a "housewife"
(3 posts)-
Posted 2 years ago #
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You were a legal assistant for 19 years, so I'm pretty sure you really *are* organized, but maybe not used to applying it to the house. You have three kids--are the older two able to do any kind of chores? (even badly, depending on their age, just so they get used to the idea) vacuuming? taking out the trash?
Don't constantly clean. Clean an hour every day, broken up into 15 minutes (or 10 minute) segments. Hand the kids a dustcloth and announce "Cleaning time!" Dance a silly dance and do chores for a few minutes and then stop! (until next time)
Your husband soounds like he would be willing to pitch in at least one quick chore a day--explain to him that it will make it less likely that he'll need to go on a 'cleaning rampage' if he can help for a couple of minutes a day--maybe fold a basket of laundry while he watches tv?
Hope this helps! Hang in there--you're anything but a failure! :)
Posted 1 year ago # -
I felt the same way. My son is now 22 years old and has the same bad habits as I did. I regret now that I didn't keep up with the housework and set a better example for him. There's time to keep a "good enough" house and still spend lots of time with the kids.
Go to Flylady.com and check her method out. It has helped me and a LOT of other people.
Good luck.
Posted 1 year ago #
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