How do you keep your house clean?

Amber - posted on 08/30/2012

I wouldn't put out if I didn't have help lol... I'm certainly Lucky to have a man that helps me when he gets off work even though I do not wk anymore.

J - posted on 08/25/2012

flylady.net saved me (and its free)

Lauren - posted on 08/22/2012

Hiya there I name is Lauren I'm doing house work every nite after dinner I do all down stairs everything for an hour then twice a week I do upstairs I have two kids age 10,and 4 then every morning I wake up to a mess again cause for breakfast

Tara - posted on 07/12/2012

Honestly...I take a day off work....I still have her go to daycare (he's 9 months tomorrow.) I do what I need to do and then I go pick her up and have fun the rest of the day when I can.
When I can't take a whole day off of work, I try to take a few hours to get a head start on what I need to do. Or I have my mom come on a weekend day and play with the baby while I do what I need to do. My husband and I (he is pretty helpful) have just decided to not have any date nights or whatever until we can squeeze it in. It's hard...there is never enough time to do anything....ever...I at times just want to pull my hair out...but we march on right? That's what mommies do..and we do it best!

Tali - posted on 07/12/2012

I have definitely not mastered the art of working and keeping the house clean. However I've come to accept, that a 'lived-in' house is a worthwhile sacrifice for some relax time and my sanity.
Also, now that I got a salary increase at my job, we have a cleaner who comes in once every two weeks.

The one suggestion I have, is keep a low maintenance house. I do not keep any ornaments or photo frames out in places where they will collect dust and need dusting. The silverware that I own is all put away, and I only keep out a few pewter items that don't need polishing.
Our house is built with outdoor 'trissim' like outdoor blinds/shutters, so where we don't NEED curtains, we don't use curtains. Also, I designed a built in wall unit, with space for toy baskets, which are super easy for me AND THE KIDS to put away the toys into.

Chaya - posted on 07/10/2012

My daughter cleans her bathroom, I clean mine, I hire a neighbor to clean my parlor and kitchen. You have a good idea, but i'm the worlds worst housekeeper, so my neighbors help out. I often help them with stuff, so it's kind of like bartering

Kimberly - posted on 07/09/2012

1. I laid down the law - husband does his fair share of housework, or we go to counseling, where he gets to explain to someone else why he feels he should be kept, like a pet. 2. I hired someone to come in every couple of weeks to help scrape the top off. 3. My 11-year old is now cleaning his own bathroom, stripping all the household beds weekly, and bringing all of the dirty clothes to the laundry room. He is also washing up the dishes at night, after dinner. 4. A little every day helps a lot with feeling sane.

Bethany - posted on 07/07/2012

I just dont worry about keeping the house immaculate all the time. Spending time with my husband and son and working to provide for my family are my priorities. I don't care what anyone else thinks. My house is lived in and I do a little each day.

When I die others won't remember how clean or unclean my house was...........How I have treated my family and the memories they will have of our time together will last a lifetime!

Travis - posted on 06/30/2012

Love this product from a fellow mom: www.springcleanyearround.blogspot.com

Stacy - posted on 10/24/2011

I usually clean at night and on the weekends. I need to get rid of some of my daughters toys. Everytime I do, she gets so upset. I would love to have a house cleaner come once a month to do the deep cleaning, but it has been hard finding a good one. My husband does help with the dishes, garbage, and yard work which is great! I am trying to get my daughter to help pick up after herself and cleaning her room. She tries so hard!

Tracy - posted on 10/23/2011

I use the Norwex Enviro microfiber cloths and mops...I work a weird work schedule..sometimes 2 weeks in a row without a day off...so when I clean I don't have a lot of time to go over things again and again...Norwex cloths get things clean...the first time!! I have found because microfiber uses mechanical forces that naturally pick up all dirt, dust, grime and bacteria, instead of smooshing it around...I can let the dusting and the floor washing slide a bit and things still look great!! Also I have lots of times cleaned my bathroom in under 10 minutes while I was getting ready for work!! If you want more info about Norwex and their cloths, check this website at www.tracystire.norwex.biz. That is where I ordered my products from, easy to use, secure website and they came right to my door via fedex!!

Michelle - posted on 10/17/2011

We are clean freaks!! We have 3 girls and 2 dogs. It seems that if we dont keep up on the cleaning it goes to hell!! It's very hard for us to accept that the house is lived in... but we are trying very hard to accept that and focus more on family time.

Meri - posted on 04/18/2011

I have found a nice reasonably priced cleaning lady to come in whenever I call her (it used to be once a month, now it's just once in a while). She charges $20 an hour and does a great job of scrubbing the place squeaky clean. She gives the place a thourogh cleaning whereas I only give it a partial cleaning each time.

Sylvia - posted on 04/15/2011

No, I haven't. I just have a dirty house. :P

Seriously, there are 3 of us in an 800-square-foot 2-bedroom flat, which sounds like it should be plenty of space but when you factor in a couple of thousand books (DH's, DD's and mine), a few dozen comic boxes (DH's and DD's), and all of everyone's miscellaneous random stuff, somehow it isn't. And we're all messy people, and none of us particularly like to clean. So we pretty much keep up with the laundry and the dishes, and that's about it. The recycling piles up, the floors get grungy, the bathroom mirrors somehow are always spattered with toothpaste. It looks like university students live in our place :P

I know that the way to keep things tidy is to do a bit at a time every day. But I mostly don't get around to it. And DH is worse, because he likes to wait until things are HORRIBLE so that cleaning them up will be a Project. (Is this a guy thing? LOL) We often joke that we need to invite people over more often because it's the only time we clean the place properly :P

Meri - posted on 04/15/2011

Wouldn't change it for the world! They are great!

Miriam - posted on 04/15/2011

wow Meri. a 19 month old and 5 month old twins. I have an 8year old and 3 month old twins and Im exhausted :+) but they are great arent they :+)

Meri - posted on 04/15/2011

I found that my house will never be as clean as I would like it to be-at least for the next few years. It's not dirty, it's just a little messy. I work full time, have a 19 month old and 5 month old twins. I found doing a little each day is the only way to keep things under control. Last month I hired a 14 yr old neighbor to come over on Sundays for 3 hours. While she's there that's when I actually put away the washed clothes, mop the floor and scrub the tub. And depending on the sleeping schedule of the twins, I once in a while take a nap. If you can afford a mommy's helper even for a few hours-that's the way to go. My house is still a little messy but I've learned to live with it and accept that I'm doing the best I can.

Miriam - posted on 04/13/2011

wow!!! Ihave an 8 year old son and 3 month old twins, work full time and am finishing up my masters. My husband also works full time and helps a lot. Our house was clean until the babies came now its harder because its two little ones,My son (8year old) was already at a point where he could help, and has some chores. When we are home its more important to be with them and spend time with them than be cleaning. The laundry gets done (pretty much daily) the floor gets cleaned (not as much as it used to, but oh well) and the beds have clean sheets every week. My 8 year old also helps a lot, but its just harder now. We (husband adn I ) Are also very sleep deprived so we do what we can :+) I just thank God I have a very helpful husband! Like somebody else said this is a partnership and yes usually one (the wife) does a little more but not does it all!!

Diane - posted on 04/13/2011

Hi, I have a 17month old who is determined to feed herself and touch everything within her horizon. I had the same problem too! Doing a little bit everyday is the best system. I solved it by dedicating a minimum of one hour daily to the house chores and stop feeling frustrated for not being able to do more! The best way in my opinion is to give a time limit. I used to feel very frustrated knowing that no matter how hard I try, I always have more to do and not enough time or energy. Another trick I use, is the cooking method. I cook pasta sauce for 2/3 dinners and freeze it, in order to always have ready made in advance. When my energy levels are low or am sick, I cook as much as I can to find it ready on other days. I hope my tips are helpful. Good luck

April - posted on 04/12/2011

I can't stand messes or a messy house but have recently kind of come to 'deal' with it. I naturally assumed that my husband felt the same way about having a spotless house until I asked him what HE thought. What do ALL of our husbands think??? I found out that I've been busting my butt for ME! Maybe some of us moms put unnecessary stress on ourselves to keep our houses in perfectly clean order...? Yeah, my husband likes a clean house but understands that I have a baby to take care of & he just wants me to do what I can, but, if nothing gets done then 'oh, well'--no biggie! I've been stressing myself out for nothing except for my own selfishness! I don't plan on "mastering the art keeping house" anymore! I'm not so stressed out now!!! Thank God for such an awesomely loving & understanding husband who is willing to share his thoughts with me!!!

April - posted on 04/12/2011

I can't stand messes or a messy house but have recently kind of come to 'deal' with it. I naturally assumed that my husband felt the same way about having a spotless house until I asked him what HE thought. What do ALL of our husbands think??? I found out that I've been busting my butt for ME! Maybe some of us moms put unnecessary stress on ourselves to keep our houses in perfectly clean order...? Yeah, my husband likes a clean house but understands that I have a baby to take care of & he just wants me to do what I can, but, if nothing gets done then 'oh, well'--no biggie! I've been stressing myself out for nothing except for my own selfishness! I don't plan on "mastering the art keeping house" anymore! I'm not so stressed out now!!! Thank God for such an awesomely loving & understanding husband who is willing to share his thoughts with me!!!

Fiona - posted on 12/30/2010

Babies Don't Keep

Mother, oh Mother,
come shake out your cloth,
empty the dustpan,
poison the moth,
hang out the washing
and butter the bread,
sew on a button and make up a bed.

Where is the mother whose house
is so shocking?
She's up in the nursery,
blissfully rocking.
Oh, I've grown shiftless as Little
Boy Blue (lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
(pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).
The shopping's not done
and there's nothing for stew
and out in the yard there's a hullabaloo
but I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
Look! Aren't her eyes the most wonderful hue?
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

The cleaning and scrubbing
will wait till tomorrow,
for children grow up,
as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs.
Dust go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep'

~Author Unknown ~


'bout say it all xxx

Joan - posted on 12/30/2010

could you give your 14 month old baby away to some one else?

Joan - posted on 12/30/2010

we share it between us

Tracey - posted on 12/30/2010

To the lady who suggested www.flylady.net thank you thank you thank you. I've been looking for a site like this for ages :) I'm happy!

Bell - posted on 12/28/2010

i only clean every sunday because even saturday i have an overtime. i have a ten year old daughter, she help me only to wash dishes. my husband to take care of the dog and clean the surroundings. usually i clean our bedroom, dining and the kitchen. but when im overworked we pay someone to clean the house.

Raymond - posted on 12/26/2010

I know exactly how you feel. I have 2 boys, ages 6 and 1. I went back to work when my 1yr. old was 4 mos. old. I was so overwelmed with everything that I felt like I was going to have a nervous break down so I quit my job so I could take care of my responsibilities at home. Now I've been out of work for a few months and I still feel overwelmed with everything. It is not easy. However I have found that with me not working it is much easier to keep my house clean. But now I need to go back to work because of financial reasons, but I'm so busy with chasin kids, cleaning house, running errands, etc. that I dont even know how I can fit a job into my busy scheduel. Like you I also don't have help from my husband, so it's all on me. The only advice I can give you is something my mom told me a long time ago. The house work is not going to go anywhere. It will still be there tomarrow, so it's not much use stressing over it. It will get done when it gets done. My mom had 5 kids and I really don't know how she did it sometimes. I only have 2. All I can say is to just hang in there, and just do what you can when you can get to it. A cluttered house never hurt anyone.

Jennifer - posted on 12/13/2010

mastered? Ummmm.... no. Maintaining.. learning what is priority (like you need clean clothes and a clean toilet and counters you won't be embarassed to serve food on etc..) The rest.. well you just relax and make a list. I make a monthly list for each month of extras like: October -- check smoke detectors, sweep out garage-- bring in patio items (if you are in a cold state) That is just an example. But it helps me from getting overwhelmed. If people want to criticize my home (which my dad does ALL THE TIME) then what I do is take the cleaning caddy out hand it to them and smile and say: "is that an offer? wow! how kind of you to point out things.. i sure needed a break from all the other responsiblities I have, mind if I take a walk while you clean? Just be sure to clean up when youre done!! " ;) that teaches them how to treat you and shuts them up and you can relax.. and well.. I know how it is to be busy so I'm more attentive to others and their lives to.. I don't know who the "jones'" were and why they made life "hell" on all of us!! I say lets get them out of the neighborhood..

Jennifer - posted on 12/12/2010

I saw that same poem that Judy R posted about somewhere and it is always in the back of my mind when I start to stress a little bit about the house being a mess. Your babies will only be small for a short while so cherish the moments, one day you will miss that AND the house it will be messy again in 20 mins.



I also do speed cleaning where I turn on a timer and only do the things that matter and/or people see upon entering my home. I wrote a blog post about tips on quick cleaning. http://iamnotsuper-woman.blogspot.com/20...



And it helps if you (woman in general) can let go of the superwoman syndrome.



Good luck!

Laurie - posted on 12/11/2010

Kimberly...you sound exactly like me! Especially with the laundry! Ugh! There is no way I have any energy at 9pm to tackle laundry or anything else for that matter. After working all day, dinner, my 2 kids & their activities which for the last 3 moths consisted of 4 nights of practice for 2 hours of which I was a coach of for my daughter's cheerleading squad.
And the weekends we are usually so stretched thin. And when we are not, I'm so exhausted that I just can't move.
And now with only 2 weeks until Christmas I'm trying to get through that craziness.

Tracy - posted on 12/11/2010

Let the children do their share. After all we are usually cleaning up after them I have had a chore list for several years. They keep up with the chores assigned daily and I do it moms way on the weekend...

Kim - posted on 12/11/2010

Hi Ladies. I am a single mom who owns a cleaning, organizing, and painting company. So you can imagine me cleaning someone else's house all day and not wanting to clean my own sometimes. It is always a struggle for working parents to have 8 arms, but somehow we prevail. I rarely get to clean my whole house in one day top to bottom. I do focus more on living room, kitchen, and bathroom on a regular basis in case you have guests stop in. Doing floors on a regular basis helps it not be so bad, especially if you have shedding animals. Try to stay on a regular rotating schedule and it should help get things done. Maybe you should ask for a gift certificate for someone to clean your home :). I have a daughter who's almost 3, and my sons 6. Incorporate your kids to help you. They love it. I give my daughter a dust rag and she goes to town. My son loves helping take out trash. They always love being mommy's big helper.

Julie - posted on 12/10/2010

Noone ever masters the housework unless you r nuts.Face it do what you can and if the little ones r old enough give them things to do they love it.otherwise what your doing is good.

Uwa - posted on 12/10/2010

The trick is making sure (as best as you can anyway) that everything goes back to its space as soon as it's done with. it reduces clutter and try to sweep and mop everyother day so u can do the big chores like laundry, shopping, salon and fresh meals weekends! goodluck.

Faridah - posted on 11/29/2010

I think you were doing well to do a little bit each day.As a working mother with other commitments,you might fail to get ample time to do all the cleaning in the same day.Another thing you can do is to hire someone to clean once a week.

Margaret - posted on 11/29/2010

Yes I did and it is not easy - I try to clean once a fortnight - on that day i try to tell my husband to take the kids somewhere for a whole day and I stay in to clean. Most probably the day will be a Sunday but there is nothing to do. Sometimes I clean also in the evening from 8.00pm onwards until 2.00am in the morning - there is nothing to do. Every day I work for 5hrs - I have two kids one of 8 and one of 4 - I try to help my son in the studying - i check his homework. during the week I am always out with their activities. Well I hope this was helpful - it is not easy but....... what else can we do....

Percis - posted on 11/28/2010

I have everything going on like you. What I have learnt, is to clean behind yourself immediately. If you allow days to pass by before cleaning, it makes the work harder and longer to clean. After showering, wipe the bathroom immediately, it is much easier. Set aside one day of the week to make a general cleaning which should not be too hard or take longer because you have been cleaning up after yourself. If you clean a little bit each day, it is not going to work because and the end you will have to start over that which you have started, so it is better to do one full job and finish. If it is just you,your husband and one child, why is it so much to do, especially if you miss a couple days? You have to implement some kind of structure in your home, sorry. My home is white all over, painted, furniture and entire kitchen and appliances even the bathrooms are white, and we maintain it. Anybody can stop by suddenly and we don't have to running in front of them tripping over ourselves and stuffs to straighten up before they can see what a horrible person I am, keeping an untidy house.

Julie - posted on 11/27/2010

I am lucky that my husband does help some, but we have begun to do '5 minute clean-ups' and my 3-yr old twins enjoy that. We set the timer and choose 1 room, generally the living room, and pick up as much as we can and get it put away. The short time period is enough for them to stay focused and it really helps me to have them picking up their things. Also I had to get rid of the idea that our house would be really clean with me working 60-80 hr weeks and dad runing them to both pre-schools. We have baskets that they put their things in and that helps too. The bathrooms are one place that really get to me so I began leaving a container of antibacterial wipes there and I can do a quick wipe-down so that it is 'liveable' and it doenst take as long to do the major cleaning.

Mary - posted on 11/27/2010

Life is way too short to worry about this. On your deathbed are you going to care if your shower stall was sparkling every day? Or are you going to relish the time you spent with your children and your husband? If you can afford it hire someone to clean the parts of your house that you have the most trouble with. Or make a game of cleanup time and enlist your husband's help in this (I know you said he wouldn't but really...! It IS a partnership is it not?) The man thing is another issue as they see things somewhat differently than women do. What we might see as messy and totally unacceptable is "good-to-go" for them. Life is to be LIVED and it's not meant to be a chore. Lighten up and focus on what's truly important to you. Really ask yourself what you will miss most if you lose it. Is it a dust-free house or laughing, smiling kids, Dads and you?

Eleanor - posted on 11/27/2010

Bit difficult to juggle everything!

When I was working fulltime, when I came home from work early enough to start cooking dinner at the same time (if my husband has not cooked yet). I gather up all the dirty dishes from the living room and put in the kitchen. As my first is old enough now, I encourage her to put her toys away in the toy box at the same time.

Once the kids are in bed having had dinner and bath, I sort out the clothes washing and put on one load on quick wash. This gives me a chance to chill out for at least one hour with my husband. Then hang up the wet clothes (we live in an apartment).

When the weekend rolls around, I do at least one or two big chores on each day such as cleaning the bathroom (using non-chemical stuff) from top to bottom or vacuuming the floors. During the week, I spray the shower with Windex to prevent buildup of mould and soap scum. This works out well for me.

Just before our most recent arrrival, we did a massive spring clean with pretty much everything and got rid most of the junk. We then got someone in to do a complete spring clean (one off) of the whole apartment including cleaning windows, dusting, clean oven, etc. We have not gotten around to the store room yet as the bub arrived a few days early! That is something that we will have to tackle when my husband is on holiday over Christmas/New Year!

E.

Jana - posted on 11/27/2010

Hi Everyone!
I've been reading everyone's post and enjoying so much what all you mom's have written. But my heart goes out to you too!!! I remember how utterly stressful it was trying to keep the house clean. It's not healthy for kids to grow up in a cluttered environment! I admit that this next statement is due to a lot of old baggage that is still being "unpacked", but somehow women have got to find the key to get the husbands to help around the house without turning us into nagging shrews! Seriously!!! It's not fair that y'all have to do it all alone while they sit on their duffs from a "hard day at work"! This group is called "working moms" right? Well...y'all are working too!!! Seriously! I know I probably sound like a man hater :) but I'm not! I'm just sick and tired of mom's being taken advantage of in a marriage! When my marriage of 12 years ended, the only extra chore I had to do was get someone to cut the grass and take out the trash. Seriously! How sad is that!!! MEN have to LEARN HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR WIVES! I was shocked when I realized that I was breeding the next generation of lazy asses; the day I told my teen to clean his room and he told me that it was my job! Can you believe that little trucker!!! :) :) :O I'm an older mom and grew up in the Leave it to Beaver generation, so it's my own fault because I did everything for both of my boys. Ladies!!!! Don't do it!!! You're creating the next generation of lousy husbands! Now my boys have chores-more than cutting the grass and taking out the trash...I've started to teach them how to do laundry, vacuum, even cook! And I have to fight them tooth and nail on it too!!!
I recommend you all order from Amazon "The Female Brain" http://www.amazon.com/Female-Brain-Louan... it's not all science dorky and it's easy to read...but it will help you see what happens as women go through the stages of life. Maybe some of the passages you might want to read to your husband! That will give them a wake up call! Ok..enough ranting...sorry if I wrote too much...I'm on a caffeine high!

Karen - posted on 11/27/2010

I know your struggle. As others - I have given up having the nice clean, organized house I had pre-child - sad but true. The answer is that I haven't figured it out and my son is 4. I prefer to clean by myself at my own pace and my own way. I do the necessary straightening out and dishes every day before every gets up and after they go to bed. Good cleaning happens when there are visitors coming. But it is way below the level of clean I want - so be it!

Pat - posted on 11/26/2010

We can never be good at all things but you are right about doing a little bit every day. The bathrooms are difficult - especially when you have three of them like I do. I get the public one done first and then do the others as I can. Love the comment about the husband but if he doesn't help out just a little sometimes, how do you get it all done without feeling resentful that he sits on his butt while you work your butt off trying to be Super Woman! I have learned this past year to let some things go. If I can hold out for two days or so, then I will come home to find my husband attempting to do it. It is the holding out part that is so difficult because our first instinct is to get it done so that you don't have to look at the mess anymore. So many of my friends have someone that comes in every two weeks and gives the bathrooms, and the floors the once over, then they can manage the day to day because they are starting out with clean and tidy. Juggling it all is difficult. Let me know if you ever figure it out! Good luck!

Renae - posted on 11/26/2010

Wow, where are you ladies finding cleaners that you pay $40 or $50 dollars a week??? I am in Perth Australia, if anyone knows of a decent cleaner for less than $40-50 an hour let me know!!!!

I have paid to have my house spring cleaned several times, paying anything from $300 to $600 each time and I am never happy with the standard of work so will not get them back on a regular basis. If I found a good reasonable priced cleaner I would hire them in an instant. :)

Winnie - posted on 11/26/2010

Reading this is such an eye-opener for myself. Now I feel a lot better that I'm not a lone solider. I basically work between 25-30 hours a week, manage 2 young kids, and pretty much everything around the house. My husband owns a business so he's not home 6 days a week. Even if he is, yeah, forget about getting him to help with anything inside the house (except if it require a step ladder and screwdriver). I manage to do 1 or 2 things whenever I can squeeze time, like cleaning the kids bathroom sink and bath tub after their bath, dust and clean 1 room at a time (or when I can't stand seeing all the dust around me). I learned to be less perfectionist in keep the house clean. I work with my 5-year old daughter cleaning up after herself. It's part of her daily chores. She also likes to help to run the sweeper after lunch on occasion. But you just have to lower the standard, live with the fact that we are not superwoman. The house will always need clean, but kids will grow up too fast and we can't buy back the time when they eventually go to college. Thanks for initiating this discussion. I enjoyed reading everyone's postings.

Amanda - posted on 11/26/2010

I budget out of my personal spending money a month on get a house keeper 0nce or twice a week so I have time for me, son and husband works great.

Melissa - posted on 11/26/2010

I have lower standards than I used to. Certain things I do when my daughter's with her dad - like vacuuming and stripping the beds. Other things I do when I notice they need doing, like spot-cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms, or dusting. And things like laundry, I let pile up and do it all at once. I do the wash/dry on my telecommute days and then I fold 4-8 loads at once while watching TV at night after my kid's in bed. But mostly, it's just lower standards. I just don't have time to do everything, so I don't.

Nicole - posted on 11/26/2010

Hi Ranae, I think a big problem is we think we have to be able to do it all, all the time, a messy house really upsets me and like you i am not going to get any help from my husband. He thinks i should work and also be the housewife too! Firstly get the kids involved, it doesn't matter how young they are, start as early as possible actually. Each time you clean something, give them a sponge or paper towel and ask them to clean an area - (pretend) - I do as little during the week as possible, i cook, wash the dishes and clean up toys each night, and make the beds most mornings and then Friday night is cram night - wash as many clothes as possible, vacuum and mop floors, clean the bathroom and kitchen. As i said keep the kids entertained by letting them "help" and keep paper towels handy for any mess that needs a quick solution during the week, for unexpected visitors etc. I find because I have gone to bed at a reasonable time during the week, not forcing myself to clean everyday, that by Friday I am almost looking forward to cleaning, crank up the music and admire how good my house looks for the start of a fresh weekend! Hope this helps

Ruth Anne - posted on 11/26/2010

How do I keep my house clean??? Good lord, I don't! Between work and my commute, I get home just in time to eat dinner with my 20-month-old and my DH (who cooks, thank goodness), then do bathtime and bedtime with her while DH clears up from dinner, and then declutter the living room while we talk or watch a little TV before I have to go to bed. He vacuums sometimes during the week if he can, and we both pitch in with the bathrooms and cat boxes. I've learned to live with a dirtier kitchen floor than I'd like; when it really starts to bug me on the weekend, I pop my daughter into her high chair (or do this during lunchtime) and give it a good scrub. DH is good about cleaning as he goes when he cooks, so the counters and stove are in pretty good shape. And I try to find a good excuse to do a solid cleaning (company coming, dinner guests, etc.) one weekend a month if possible. But our weekend time is also our family time, and we'd much rather spend most of it doing our weekend stuff (swim classes, going for walks, romping with the dog) than cleaning.

Jana - posted on 11/26/2010

One (of many) mistakes I made was worrying about the house too much! I thought all "good" mothers had sparkling homes! I didn't realize how it was affecting my kids until I went into my sons classroom and saw all the art work about "What My Mommy Does" and he had drawn me with a vacuum cleaner! LOL, seriously!!! I wish I had spent more time playing with them than cleaning! My kids are a lot older now than most moms on here, but one thing that still helps me today is having two laundry baskets with each boys name in the laundry room. I fold the laundry as soon as possible and then put the basket in their room. Laundry was always a big time consumer with me! I remember too that it helped having a big woven basket in the living room where I would put their toys/books at the end of the night. Also...have some of those pop-up cleaner things in every bathroom. You can give it a clean wipe down when you're in there. Another BIG mistake I made was doing it all myself. I didn't have my kids do anything because "they never did a good job so I might as well do it myself". WRONG!!! Have them help out as soon as they can walk!!:) It's almost impossible to retrain them when they get older! I'll never forget when I told my teen to clean up his room and he told me that was my job!!! LOL!! Needless to say, we had a come to Jesus meeting right then and there! They are a lot better now...but still aren't very self reliant. And another thing...men are just little boys in grown up bodies! They need to be given a chore to do that they have to do every day! There isn't a man on the face of the Earth that can't empty the dang dishwasher! Don't bother asking them...just tell them ...Your job at home is to clean out the dishwasher. Whenever, however...it is your job. Of course...good luck with that advice too...I'm divorced! :) But my decision too! All that resentment of having to do it all finally got to me! :) Good luck...don't sweat the small stuff, enjoy time with your little one...they'll be teenagers before you know it! Horrors!!! :)