How do you get everything done?

Christi - posted on 06/29/2010

I have a routine and it is very very simple to stick to. My son is a lil demon most days, but I still seem to get everything done. An hour before my son is up, I shower, do a fast pick up of anything I missed the night before then cook breakfast. After he eats, he gets a bath, I vaccuum, dust furniture, sweep or mop if needed, do one bathroom and then kick back. If I need to go to the store, I do a fast run through. After my son goes to bed, I take out the trash, change his trash, change the kitty box, load and start the washer and wash his sippy cups. Oh and I do one load of laundry a day. Most times my husband will take out the trash for me and help with dishes. I also have dinner ready for my husband when he comes home since he only has about thirty minutes before he has to leave again for his second job. I take my son to the park three times a week, sometimes more and find time for playdates. It is really that hard if you just sit down and make a list and see what can be done before and after the kiddo is asleep and then save the stuff like vaccuuming for nap time.

Andrea - posted on 06/29/2010

Think of ways to involve your child. For example whenever I fold laundry, my daughter is right by my side. I play peek-a-boo with each article of clothing and she loves it. Have your child help you put clothes in the washer/dryer. I used to be a nanny and with the older kids, I taught them how to fold, starting with easy stuff like wash cloths or dish towels. Let your child play with a little container of bubbly water and plastic dishes while you do the dishes. Your kid might make a little mess, but will be occupied while you get your chores done and he/she will be following your example. It's important to involve your kid with what you are doing so that he/she gets a sense of responsibility and accomplishment. Also, it is good to teach that work can be fun.

Kris - posted on 06/29/2010

I'm a new mom of a 3 month old and I found I wasn't getting anything done until I set up a schedule for myself.

Monday is laundry and vacuuming
Tuesday is dusting and clean bathroom
Wednesday is vacuuming and clean kitchen
Thursday is dusting and clean bedrooms
Friday is vacuuming and change bedding every other week

so at least by the weekend my whole house is clean or has been cleaned. I vacuum three times a week because we have a dog who sheds like crazy during the shedding season and we brush him when we can.

My husband (not sure what DH means) works full-time and I used to work part-time/on-call while I was pregnant up until my maternity leave. We have a dishwasher so it a matter of getting the dishes into the dishwasher and my husband will put them away when they are clean. He also does work around the house like putting up trim around the new windows he finished installing a few months back.

If my son is having a bad day, then I usually don't get anything done and I need to be okay with that. My house will never be the ones you see in magazines though it won't have any bugs either.

Dotty - posted on 06/29/2010

As previous answers say....there is no way you can ever get everything done...you have to learn to prioritise...in my experience (five kids) the kids when young come first, anything you can do on the way gets done, use nap time usefully,and evening when u aint exhausted...talk to your partner about sharing at weekends etc....you cant spend too much time worrying about it...your kid will soon be old enough to give little jobs to while you get stuff done,my daughter was 2 when she used to help me load the washing machine for instance....relax,and good luck...Dotty xx

Mary - posted on 06/29/2010

My days are very busy. When I get up I have to get my daughter and I breakfast. Then my hubby gets up and gets washed and has his devotions. Then I have mine and my daughters. Then I do my exercises then I have to pack his lunch and make something for him and us to eat before he goes to work and have our family devotions too. Then I get him off to work and pray for him before he goes and he calls me on the phone. Right now it's not too bad cause it's summer and too hot to work upstairs and stuff so I only have the dishes and the downstairs to worry about keeping clean. My 5 yr. old bounces around the house full of energy telling me to play with her and her pretend friends. During the school year things are more busy though. I no sooner get her off to school at 8:30 a.m and then I have to try to get my hubby off to work. Then, when he leaves, it's time for her to come home and eat. She gets home at 12 or 12:30 on Mon and Thurs. This year she'll be starting kindergarten with the extended day so we'll see how things go time wise. Last year she went to Head Start on Wed. She left around the same time as hubby 11:30 and got home at 4 then we had to shove some food in our mouths and get her washed and into her jammies and get ready for church. We get picked up at 7ish. Very busy days with lots to do. Right now with the heat I get a little bit of a break anyway. God helps me get stuff done each day. Dishes, laundry, appointments etc. That's all I can say.

Catherine (Cathy) - posted on 06/29/2010

There's no way to get "everything" done. I do laundry/dust/vacuum while 1 year old is napping. Fold laundry (baby "helps") in front of TV. Hubby and I split cooking and dishes/clean kitchen. We also have a 5 1/2 year old I keep occupied between playground, playdates, camps and downtime at home. Just do your best. That's all you can do.

Alice - posted on 06/29/2010

Lexi,
Now my 6-year-old & 4-year-old can help now, but before that I felt the same as you.
We line-dry clothes so that's my "escape" the kids run outside & I hang, take off, and fold. While one load is drying, i set a timer and work on something else (dishes/kitchen, or bedroom or living room) and if there's any time left, i do something fun, like play with the kids, crochet, bake something, work on the computer, or read. When the timer goes off i start again. By the time i run out of drying time (daylight) the house is usually clean.
Just remember not to get stressed if it all doesn't get done (that's really hard) because cleaning is ten times harder with children than it was just with 2 adults. ;)

Jessica - posted on 06/29/2010

i usually dont get anything done until after my daughter goes to bed, being that she is a rather demanding 7 month old. if i could get her to do it, i would put her in her play pen while i do the dishes, or clean any room but the living room...she loves to sit in her swing and watch me clean the living room(swing or walker, or sometimes lay in the floor). but she doesnt like it when i leave the living room for longet then it takes to go pee. dishes is pretty much the only thing i do after she goes to bed. i only do laundry on the weekend, when her daddy is home to keep an eye on her while i fold it or whatever. if i get behind on things threw the week, it gets done on the weekend, unless the weekend is too busy. for now, my house never gets too dirty cuz my daughter isnt mobile yet, so the only one to make a mess is her daddy. but its still hard, and i dont pressure myself to do things....its more important to spend time with my kid before she starts school or whatever, then it is to keep my house spotless.........

Yvonda - posted on 06/29/2010

just do the best you can and don't get overwhelmed! sometimes we have to let that load of laundry of those lunch dishes wait until later, as you already now, it's hard to stick with any routine with an infant or toddler. I'm sure everything will be okay until you get around to it...good luck!!!

Sheena - posted on 06/29/2010

I have a 2 year old and a 5 month baby and did find it really hard to get things done.

I now do the majority of my housework in the evenings while my husband is home so he can watch the kids or when they are in bed.
I start by filling the kitchen sick with hot water and dishes ,put a load of washing on then i put away bits and pieces around the house and vacuum, then wash the dishes. Normally when ive finished, the washing machine is beeping so i put the next load on then dry the dishes. Thats about all i do at night. My husband cleans the shower while he is in the shower and gives the toilet a wipe every second day. so all i have to do is wipe the sink and vacume. I only mop once a week unles thre is spills ect.

I wash clothes every night and hang it out during the day and fold them while my babies are asleep or in the arvoz when they watch t.v.

By doing my cleaning at night it has made it soo much easier, im normally just tidying up during the day instead of stressing cos theres soo much to get done but cant cos my children need attending to ect. Always putting things back where they belong straight after i used it has also made things easier.

My son has learnt to pick up his toys when he is finished and most of the time he plays in his room so the toys are not all over the house. He doesnt always pick up all his toys so while hes sleeping i give his room a quick tidy.

Hope this helps

Majaliwa - posted on 06/29/2010

I DON'T!

1. quit kicking yourself for not being able to get it all done. being a stay at home mom is a full time job and a busy toddler who likes to bring a wrecking ball behind you everywhere you go doesn't help.

2. wait until the evening. i know sometimes you're too tired but when my little guy is finally asleep, that's when i can actually get stuff done. that's when i clean, fold clothes, vacuum, whatever.

3. get help. this was the hardest thing for me. i felt like because "all i did was stay at home" that i shouldn't need a maid, but my friend said to me one time - you wouldn't take your son to work with you would you? how much work would you get done? and i realized, that even though i'm at home, i'm still WORKING. there is no shame in getting some help around the house. sites like care.com have resources for finding maids and cleaning services. for your own sanity, look into one to help at least once a month.

Tracey - posted on 06/28/2010

although i am a "new mum" i do have experience with 1+ year old because i helped my sister raise my niece for the first few years of her life. (pity i didnt get experience with the first year lol) but a walker is my suggestion. sure he may be running around right now, but if u get a decent walker u might find that he can still run around without throwing his toys all over the place. The other things we tried was sitting them in front of their favourite movie. there kills at least an hour for cleaning, and putting him in a playpen in front of cartoons. these worked for my niece when my sister and i had cleaning and cooking to do around the house without the risk of him being under our legs.

Brittany - posted on 06/28/2010

My son will be a year and half next month so I know your feeling. I normally get up before my son and get my Kitchen and living room done. I put him in his high chair for breakfast and I start my little bathroom and hallway. Then I get on the computer for a lil me time while he plays for about 2 hours then he goes to nap. That's when i do big things like laundry, my room, my bathroom ya know. He get's up feed him lunch and he plays. Then I'm pretty much done for the day. Then daddy is home to help with things I didnt get off my list. Like folding and putting the clothes away and bathing him and getting him ready for bed. It's tough somedays when he's in a bad mood or I'm not feeling well. But time and patience. try to make a game out of what your doing with him. My son sometimes helps me with the dishwasher as we sing. He also likes to throw clothes in the basement as we say weee. lol Even though he's up your but work around him. Eventually he will get bored and go find a toy. :) hope this helps or gives ya any other easy ideas to help you!

Medic - posted on 06/28/2010

I just work over and around my kids, almost 4years and 5 months, if they are in the room I can scoot their rear ends out of my way. I really only spend about 30 min a day cleaning because I do the bathroom while my son plays in the tub, he does his room, and anywhere either of their toys are, I do the floors as needed....atleast once every two weeks, and the dishes I put in the washer as we use them. Everyone has their own laundry day and I usually fold the clothes when the kids are in bed. When my husband is home he helps about 50/50. If you just straighten up as you go it makes for a very easy day.

Jeanette - posted on 06/28/2010

mine is also 1yr old
my house is not perfect but is neat
i only generally get dishes done every day

laundry 2-3x a week - smaller loads and its a game to ride back in the laundry basket and get 'dumped' out with the laundry then i let him play with it as i fold it

vacuuming is a weekend thing when dad is home to watch him or dad does and i watch him

i have one room childproofed so i can do some food prep, cooking while still able to see him but he is alone in the babyproofed room

other things like cleaning the bathroom or dusting either are weekends or during the morning nap and it will only be one thing for a day

i literally always kick back and read during the second nap

also have gotten baskets that slide under my end tables for some toys that he uses in the living room

Christy - posted on 06/28/2010

I have managed to clone myself to get things done.

Really, don't stress over it all. Break up the tasks you have into smaller pieces and it won't seem as overwhelming. I am a good time manager b/c of this. Vacuum on a certain day of the week, make a point of cleaning the dishes each morning or evening, pick another day to catch up on laundry, like every other day, clean each part of the house/apartment choosing one day to do it (bathroom/s on say, Tuesday, living area Weds, bedrooms Thursdays, etc).

Vicki - posted on 06/28/2010

Well, For laundry I keep a basket in each bedroom and one in the garage. I usually save laundry til evening when hubby is home and our washer/dryer is in the garage so it doesn't bother anyone. Throughout the day if we dirty something I just throw it out in the garage basket. Dishes I put them in the dishwasher as we use them. Hubby and my brother in law (who also lives with us-20 years old) are responsible for the dinner dishes making it to the dishwasher. Then I start it in the morning. My baby usually helps me put away once they are clean. She loves handing them to me. Sweeping I do every couple days as needed. My baby has her own little broom and likes to copy me. And for toy cleanup I have showed her that everyday before nap we pick up together and throw them in a tub. Then at naptime I do my work (I bookkeep from home for a company). Ugh I'm tired now! LOL Basically I try to make cleaning look fun for my little one and let her think she is helping. Once you've got a routine its a little easier than starting with a huge mess. Needless to say though I have had several talks with hubby and BIL about cleaning up after themselves. Good luck!

Lexi - posted on 06/28/2010

Thanks ladies, that makes me feel a bit better.

Nicole - posted on 06/28/2010

Never have a perfect house! That is rule #1. Be a good mommy to your kid, and do what is essential to keep the house running. Don't fret that its not all done all the time. It'll be ok if the dishes aren't done right this second. Some days you will be superwoman and get a ton done, and the next day you wont get anything done. It happens.

Sarah - posted on 06/28/2010

First of all, I know hubby is working, but it wouldn't kill him to help put folded laundry away or mop the floors once in a while... that being said do bits and pieces as you walk by. If you are passing the laundry room throw a load in the washer or switch to the dryer have munchkin help mommy put clothes in the dryer =) (folding is another matter entirely I usually save this for cartoon half- hour in the morning). I know it sucks but do dishes as they come and then you aren't looking at a scarry looking monster pile of dishes. umm paper plates when it is just you and little guy then have him throw them away- again helping mommy. Maybe limit the number of toys out at a time so they aren't all over all the time. He will be just as happy with one box of blocks- and he can help put them away when you are done playing (making up a "pick up your toys" song makes this more fun). And have things you only do a few times a week... unless there is a bag of chips strewn across the floor or milk spashed down the cabinet faces they don't need to be mopped vacuumed and sanitized every day that goes for toilets and windows too. Prioritize what you want to do in a day (maybe make an actual list and post it on the fridge) and do those things if you finish ahead of your schedule either do something on tomorrow's list or go for a walk to the playground.
Good luck

Wendy - posted on 06/28/2010

Lexi, I feel you pain. I've got a 22 month old and a 3 month old. I was barely keeping up with just one kiddo, and now I'm falling behind. I make it my goal to keep the kitchen clean and get one other household item done a day (laundry, cleaning living room or bathroom).

I attended a Motherhood conference once where the speaker encouraged us to task while we mother...don't mother while we task. Mainly, make being a mom your first priority. It was also freeing to hear her say that it's O.K. for the house to be untidy.

Sit down with your DH after the kiddo is in bed and have a heart-to-heart about each of your expectations for the house. You may find out that he has lower standards for cleanliness than you do...or he may be willing to help out with some things. He may also help you set priorities. (In our house, laundry needs to be folded within 24 hours of being washed, and the kitchen needs to stay clean because *I* get majorly stressed when it's messy, and I spend a lot of my day in that room. The floors are not a huge priority, and the bathroom gets cleaned every 2-4 weeks.)

So, in answer to your question, I DON'T get everything done, and I don't think you should feel pressured to do so either.

Amy - posted on 06/28/2010

go to flylady.net....its the only thing that's been helping me.

Cindy - posted on 06/28/2010

Sorry can't help. No routine here, (MS and unpredictable health.) The best thing you can do is accept you are doing the best job you can.

That said, if you can apply the tips, kudos.