Can you keep a clean house with an 8 month old?

Joanne - posted on 02/14/2010

No and it doesn't really matter ! So long as your home is safe and only untidy rather that dirty then just chill and tidy as and when you feel able. My nanna had a wonderful saying ' A spotless house is a sign of a life wasted', enjoy your little one while you can cos once those teen years hit you won't get a second glance :-) x i know, my eldest is 14 !

Tami - posted on 02/13/2010

As far as toys go, I have a big basket in the living room and as soon as the kids are in bed everything gets tossed in there. Same thing in their rooms. While we're changing into jams, I just toss everything into the toy bin. Any other real cleaning is just going to have to slip by until there's someone else to watch the kids or they're sleeping. It will get better though. My older daughter is 3.5 now and can help pick up. She also enjoys dusting, using the dustbuster to vacuum crumbs, wiping off tables and scrubbing the sinks with baking soda.

Eliza - posted on 02/13/2010

The best you can do is just try to have patience with your baby. Mine does the same thing: gets in the dresser drawers, the book shelf, the vcr, the dirty shoes by the door, and anything he's not supposed to have, really. I do let him get into certain things, though, even if it does make a bit of a mess... and on the side I try to show him which things are hands-off. It's all you can do, but good luck! :)

Louise - posted on 02/13/2010

Definitely cupboard locks and maybe a few baby gates up - not just to baby proof for safety but to keep some areas baby proof !!! I'm going to pop 2 gates up either side of my kitchen island so my baby can't even get near the pots and pans ! LOL.
Maybe fully proof 1 room (or just 1 area) so you have somewhere to sit and chill with a cuppa when needed : ) I think we all have a job and a half ahead of us to keep up to speed with our little tornados (definitely an apt description) xx Good luck !

Jennifer - posted on 02/11/2010

Now why didnt I think of that. So simple. shut the door and some how get honey dear to install baby locks on the drawers. I'm blameing it on being a very tired first time mom. LOL. It never dawn on me. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lisa - posted on 02/11/2010

I know exactly how you feel! I have a 4 year old and an 8month old, so there's toys EVERYWHERE! I have my daughter's playpen set up in the living room and every night when she goes to bed, I pick up the toys and put them in the playpen until the next morning when my son gets them out for them to play. We're getting a child gate to keep her out of the kitchen, and we keep the bedroom doors shut. So really, the only rooms she has to 'destroy' are the living room, dining room, and the den. Seems to work pretty well! I agree with Michelle, definitely time to baby-proof the cabinets!

Michelle - posted on 02/11/2010

Time to baby proof the cabinets! I have toys all over my house too. Seems like the cleaning is never ending. I make sure the kitchen is clean because it will get pretty bad if I let it go a day, especially the kitchen floors. He is always flinging food off his highchair lol! After he has gone to bed, if I haven't too, I will pick up the toys. Or I just pick them up when I need to vacuum or shampoo the carpets. He can't open the dresser drawers yet since they are really heavy in our room. The dresser drawers in his room stick so he hasn't figured them out either.