I am a single mom of 3 kids. I have always been housekeeping-challenged but now that my kids are getting older, I'm finding it harder and harder to keep up. How do you stay motivated and stay ahead of the general mess?
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Worst Housekeeper in the WORLD
(6 posts)-
Posted 2 years ago #
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im right up there with you im a soon to be single mom of three. i just feel like i cant do it. but i know i can.
Posted 2 years ago # -
well im another one! ive 3 kids all under the age of 6. We all have our off days but rest assured that you can do it. my house is clean but lived in if you know what i mean! ha!
Posted 2 years ago # -
hi ladies: just thought i'd pass on some hard learned insight. you are not alone -you each have 3 wonderful little helpers. I have 5 children btwn the ages of 16 - 21 + my son's girlfriend living with us. when the kids were little they helped lots. they loved to do it - vacumning, gathering up toys,cleaning up their playrooms, even making beds -a fitted sheet and comforter only. They helped get supper ready and loaded and unloaded the dishwasher.We made races and competitions. no one sat down at the dinner table till the playroom was straightened up. my mistake was letting them stop helping as they got older. now the only help i get is if someone wants to borrow money or the car lol. the only other advice i can share is spoil yourself with the "new fangled" devices out there that make cleaning a snap. Consider getting a Swiffer wet-jet (even younger kids can use this and its kinda fun). one of my other "cant do withouts" is the new toilet brushes that come with the disposable cleaning heads - they work great and are easy enough for even smaller kids to use. i also keep antibacterial wipes and glass cleaner in the bathrooms for quick cleanups. Sounds like you are all strong women. i wish you all the best. i'm sure you will all be awesome moms and wonderful role models for your children. take care of yourselves. i'll be thinking of you all.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Hi all,I love Jen's reply - some brilliant tips. If we keep in mind that we are in persuit of 'healthy organisation' and not obsessive daily spring cleaning, we can't go too far wrong. When children know what their responsibilities are and that it's appreciated it goes a long way to keeping them motivated. It's amazing how much better children respond to "I like the way you organise your shelves when you dust your room" than "If I've got to work, so have you" (Yes I have heard both). Adults as well as children feel less overwhelmed if things are broken down a bit so that each day has it's own regular expectations. eg. children can be expected to bring down dirty laundry and any rubbish from their room after getting undressed every evening before saying goodnight. This gives the parents an opportunity to thank them for being helpful and say well done for remembering. Equally it doesn't cost us adults anything to check for crockery and finished newspapers/mags when we leave the sitting room to go to bed. If I had to pick a golden rule for adults and children, it would be 'rewards are important, but they only work if they come afterwards!' The guilt which comes from having a reward for something we mean to do but don't saps energy and motivation rapidly. Anyway, you're women - of course you can do this!!!!!
Posted 2 years ago # -
i would love to help out the mommies! I’m 23 years old who loves to organize (for me it’s a stress reliever!) i also have my own maid service at great rates I’m in New York if i can relive stress for you ladies i would love to help! I’m also a nanny/babysitter for over 5+ years
Posted 1 year ago #
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