how does everyone else seem to find time to get things done?

Nete - posted on 05/08/2010

Im a stay at home mom of twins with no outside help, no grandparents, no sitters, no dishwasher, lol, yep thats right? nuts huh?... dad works long hours ... so there just me and the ''demolition team'' ...for the lawn, (when they get a little older) I got them a bubble mower each... and they now ''mow the lawn'' with mummy ... 1,2, and we all ''go'' 3 ... obviously make sure that they are behind you and that you get the el mower kind with all the safety bells and that you stop, if they are too close, and don't leave the cord out..(my yard is fenced all around) - I use their nap time for cleaning and cooking, precook meals that you can unfreeze in the micro... do one or two loads of laundry every-night so that you don't get behind, I turned the clean up of toys in to a game '' up in the box'' have them on a star chart for everything from bedtime to eating nice, I mop the floors every night before going to bed ... try to stay on top, if possible.. Routine is key! but most important ... no things that needs doing are more important, than this time with your twins ... So what if the cloth need ironing ... and the grass in high, ..you got twins??! - If they sniff that you eager to get something else done.. your toast! give them the attention they demand and accept that for the next few years there is no such thing as ''normal''..
The sooner you accept that, the easier it will get ..
Gina Ford has great books on cooking and contented toddlers

Michelle - posted on 05/06/2010

I know this is a more costley answer but I resorted to getting a cleaner and mower man once every 2-3 weeks - mower man is AUS$50 and cleaner AUS$100. Before I had my boys (now 18 months) I was pedantic about the house - when I had them, like you I had no time to do anything around the house - it stressed me out to the point I just had to do something about it - so now I allocate money to the cleaner and mower man and for the sake of $150 the yard is tidy and the house is clean.

Sarah - posted on 05/06/2010

it's nice to know I'm not alone....my boys are 6 months od and I intend to do everything during their nap time but it's just not enough time and by evening I am shattered. My biggest problem is fitting their routine around the school run and hobbies my six year old has as well as getting housework done. my hubby is a student and able to bail me out from time to time but when he starts proper work in a few months time it'll be harder...still they're worth it!

Lisa - posted on 05/06/2010

I have 13mth twin boys. My husband works full time (at the moment he is deployed in a war zone). i work parttime monday, tuesday, wednesday. I have his mum look after the boys while im at work. When i get home I do the house work when they are asleep. I seem to do everything while they are asleep at night or when they go down for a nap. I even vaccum and play my music while they are sleeping and i have chores to do. Or sometimes when my husband was home on the sunday one of us would take the boys for a walk while the other one did the chores around the house.

Augusta - posted on 05/03/2010

I find the time to do it after the kids go to sleep... they have an early bedtime.. seven o'clock so it is still light outside for lawn mowing and during nap time during the day I clean the house... do dishes, etc.

Tarina - posted on 05/03/2010

i have a 9 yr old, a 16 month old, and twins on the way and this topic is absolutely something on my mind! I can barely manage as it is! I just use the crib as a sort of refuge to keep the baby safe while i do the work, once he is older hopefully he can help alittle, like having his own basket with 3 shirts to fold or something... worked with my oldest?? Try to include them a teeny bit if you can, or just put up with the extra noise as they cry being shut away for an hour of "mommy time", and buy noise reducing headphones and an ipod? Lol

Abby - posted on 05/03/2010

We've got 16 month-old twins and I often wonder the same thing. I agree with the playpen - we stick them in their cribs right next to one another and they'll play for up to an hour this way.

Otherwise - I've learned to include them whenever possible. They already know to ask for a rag if they make a spill so they can help clean it up (and, surprisingly, they're actually pretty good at getting all the spots).

Otherwise - they moment they go down for bed I'm busy for the next hour picking up and re-setting for the next day. Once that's done I sit and relax so I don't feel so frazzled. Whatever I don't get done - doesn't get done that night and I just accept it.

Also - both my husband and I work as youth ministers, so we have a plethora of high schoolers looking for service hours. Check with a local church or high school. Often the Childcare Class students, Confirmation students, HERO service club, etc. have responsible young adults who are willing to help out from time to time for free (especially if you feed them). Have a 'mother's helper' follow you along on errands or keep the kids occupied at the home.

Melissa - posted on 04/29/2010

My twins are 4 now and it's getting even harder to get things done. My hubby and I both work 40 hr jobs and we have 100 head of beef cattle. It's not easy! I try very hard to stick to my routine. And my kids have and are being taught that they need to help (in the manner that they can). Simple tasks but they love to help me and it's the only way I can get it all done and get to bed b4 10 with some me time to breathe. They help me with their lunches, laundry, loading dishwasher. Sounds like child labor but it's not like that. They are learning tasks and have clue. Like right from left. Please put that on the left of the shelf, etc. You also have to train yourself to have this come natural. It takes time but schedule, routine, and a like OCD makes life a little easier. They love to put stuff in the washer. So, I sort it let one put it in washer and the other puts the detergent in and they take turns turning it on. That way they are with me and not killing each other. My parents both have passed away and his parents are unable to help due to health problems. Good Luck! and remember it can always be done 2morrow.

Amy - posted on 04/28/2010

Mine twins b/g are 5 mos now. I don't work but find it harder to get things done. As they are up more now and a lot more demanding of my attention. I ended up getting my neighbor to watch them 1 day a week for 3 hours. I am able to get most of the stuff done within that time.

Astrid - posted on 04/28/2010

My husband is away alot, and our families do not live close by, so it has been hard. I have decided though, what gets done, gets done. What doesn't, doesn't. I also used a play pen when they were little, but by 18mths, they could climb out. I think that the idea that one person looks after them while the other one does what needs to be done is a great idea, and my husband and I try to do that, but when Daddy is home, all they want is his time.
Amanda, I know that you were not implying that your family should do everything for you, you just think that they should be more willing to help, and I agree with you, but unfortunately, other people don't think that way. Maybe your family thinks that you are coping fine. Just try to relax, and realise that when they go off to college, you can clean and tidy your house up, and it will stay that way. Until then, enjoy your girls!

Julie - posted on 04/27/2010

PLAYPEN!!!!! Although I never really had my boys inside the playpen, I opended it up and used it as a barrier so they were only in one section of the house! If its lawn work that needs doing.. then if weather permits you can just take them out there with you and put them in the playpen so they are safe :)



Time issues are hard to work around.. I dont work at all, but my Hubby works about 60+hours a week, I used to find it easier to get things done when the boys were younger so I could use their nap time and they couldnt follow me around like little cyclones! Try to use the time that they are sleeping? Or in their high chair eating?



Main thing is trying not to worry about it - it sure isnt going anywhere lol!!

Carla - posted on 04/26/2010

My twins are only 9 months old and my husband and I already are wondering how the yard work is going to get done. Should be a challenge. I go back to a full time job in August and he works full time evenings. We will see each other in passing but one good thing is that we don't have to pay for childcare. But to be honest with you, we hired a house cleaner. We also have a 3 year old and hiring help has been a godsend. She only comes twice a month but it is a blessing. I thought I would feel guilty watching someone clean my house...I thought wrong. ha ha. It has been great. Well worth the money. And remember things will eventually get done. Don't sweat it. The important thing to worry about are your children, they need you more than the lawn.

Stephanie - posted on 04/26/2010

get the twins interested in something in a safe spot like the living room floor, and then do a chore within earshot of them like load the dishwasher. also, trade off with hubby, he can do chores on Sat. when you're working. or when you're both home, someone watches, the other cleans.
you just have to be flexible about what gets done when, how well you need it to be done and such. Also, as the girls get bigger, get them involved. Right now, they might be able to put things(toys, laundry in the basket, blocks...) away with help/direction.
your family is a huge help in watching the girls, but it's not their job to help you keep your house in one piece. you're gonna have to figure that out for yourselves. :) I know. I've got twins and a single, and another coming. I live in a zoo.... :) but it's great.

Amanda - posted on 04/25/2010

Astrid,
Thanks for the advice. Its hard with twins and yes, people always think you can do everything with out any help. I just want to be able to get the basic housework and lawn care done. everything else can wait.

Astrid - posted on 04/25/2010

I have had to resort to getting a babysitter to help, so that I can get things done around the house. People seem to think that I should be able to do it all, but even though my twins are 4 years old, if I leave them alone for a minute, they are either getting into something, or fighting and in tears. I have also resorted to the terrible TV babysitter! You have to do what you can to get things done. I still find that even when I have done the housework, there is still more to do! Good luck.