Comments on: Help with Housework http://daniellebean.com/2008/03/27/help-with-housework/ Catholic mother and author Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:37:33 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Busy Mom http://daniellebean.com/2008/03/27/help-with-housework/comment-page-1/#comment-9987 Busy Mom Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:22:34 +0000 http://daniellebean.com/?p=4082#comment-9987 One thing no one mentioned was to hire some help now & then. For years when my 5 children were really, really little (4 in under 4 years) I had a cleaner come in once a week, and then after a year, every two weeks and then finally once a month. It was a budget stretcher but a marriage saver. I no longer have regular help (I have more time since I'm not homeschooling currently) but will use a service if illness has struck and we are really behind. I also highly recommend a laundry service. Again, I rarely use this service, but when you need it, it can be a Godsend. It's helpful after a family vacation, if your house is for sale, new baby and/or something has disruptive your routine. Basically, you drop off your dirty clothes at the laundromat and they sort/wash/fold, and you pick it up later that day. You pay by the pound (In the Chicago area it's around $1.25/pound). When I use this service I remove all the towels, jeans and sweatshirts (the heaviest items) and leave the rest with the service. Be careful though - it can be addictive! One thing no one mentioned was to hire some help now & then. For years when my 5 children were really, really little (4 in under 4 years) I had a cleaner come in once a week, and then after a year, every two weeks and then finally once a month. It was a budget stretcher but a marriage saver. I no longer have regular help (I have more time since I’m not homeschooling currently) but will use a service if illness has struck and we are really behind. I also highly recommend a laundry service. Again, I rarely use this service, but when you need it, it can be a Godsend. It’s helpful after a family vacation, if your house is for sale, new baby and/or something has disruptive your routine. Basically, you drop off your dirty clothes at the laundromat and they sort/wash/fold, and you pick it up later that day. You pay by the pound (In the Chicago area it’s around $1.25/pound). When I use this service I remove all the towels, jeans and sweatshirts (the heaviest items) and leave the rest with the service. Be careful though – it can be addictive!

]]> By: Katherine http://daniellebean.com/2008/03/27/help-with-housework/comment-page-1/#comment-9986 Katherine Sat, 29 Mar 2008 09:17:56 +0000 http://daniellebean.com/?p=4082#comment-9986 There is the military motivation: you have yet another PCS move and the packers will pack your clutter and trash unless you dispose of it now. (I start this one 2 months in advance since I know where the dump is and then there is less chance of going over our weight limit) There is the babysitter motivation: every teen in your neighborhood will know your house is a war zone unless you tidy up and do the dishes before she arrives. (I take an hour to run each afternoon, but run faster the 10 minutes before she walks in the door) There is also the husband motivation: "Did you let the kids run wild and unsupervised all day if it looks like this? (We have a massive "clean up time!" when he calls to say he is driving home) But the best is the personal satisfaction motivation: You want to have some peace and order in your life and some days that comes from having a clean bathroom. For 15 minutes, 'cause that's all you get. Happy decluttering and cleaning, today I'm doing the bathrooms and vacuuming. There is the military motivation: you have yet another PCS move and the packers will pack your clutter and trash unless you dispose of it now. (I start this one 2 months in advance since I know where the dump is and then there is less chance of going over our weight limit)

There is the babysitter motivation: every teen in your neighborhood will know your house is a war zone unless you tidy up and do the dishes before she arrives. (I take an hour to run each afternoon, but run faster the 10 minutes before she walks in the door)

There is also the husband motivation: “Did you let the kids run wild and unsupervised all day if it looks like this? (We have a massive “clean up time!” when he calls to say he is driving home)

But the best is the personal satisfaction motivation: You want to have some peace and order in your life and some days that comes from having a clean bathroom. For 15 minutes, ’cause that’s all you get.

Happy decluttering and cleaning, today I’m doing the bathrooms and vacuuming.

]]> By: Mom of 4 http://daniellebean.com/2008/03/27/help-with-housework/comment-page-1/#comment-9985 Mom of 4 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 23:00:26 +0000 http://daniellebean.com/?p=4082#comment-9985 Great suggestions here! Danielle, I totally agree with you about the Deniece Schofield books. The two things that have helped the most are sticking to my schedule and staying on top of the clutter. For Lent this year, I tried something new. We have a 3-floor house (2 floors plus a basement, actually), so I tackled one floor every two weeks to slowly and carefully deep clean and declutter. If that isn't penance, I don't know what is! LOL On all but the most insane days, I tried to accomplish *something*, even if it was just de-cluttering one small area. Anything nice enough to be donated went into a pile which ARC came and picked up shortly before Easter. Even though I'm not bad about accumulating clutter, it's still amazing how stuff collects. I managed to greatly improve some of our worst hot spots, and now it feels like I can BREATHE in here again! Great suggestions here! Danielle, I totally agree with you about the Deniece Schofield books. The two things that have helped the most are sticking to my schedule and staying on top of the clutter.

For Lent this year, I tried something new. We have a 3-floor house (2 floors plus a basement, actually), so I tackled one floor every two weeks to slowly and carefully deep clean and declutter. If that isn’t penance, I don’t know what is! LOL On all but the most insane days, I tried to accomplish *something*, even if it was just de-cluttering one small area. Anything nice enough to be donated went into a pile which ARC came and picked up shortly before Easter.

Even though I’m not bad about accumulating clutter, it’s still amazing how stuff collects. I managed to greatly improve some of our worst hot spots, and now it feels like I can BREATHE in here again!

]]> By: freddy http://daniellebean.com/2008/03/27/help-with-housework/comment-page-1/#comment-9984 freddy Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:50:23 +0000 http://daniellebean.com/?p=4082#comment-9984 This has been a joy to read! In our house the older ones are responsible for their rooms plus other chores. They earn holy cards for each job well done, and can turn them in at the end of the week for movies or computer game time. It's a new idea this year, and working pretty well, except for the mild insanity induced by "bargaining." ("If I do an extra-good job, do I get extra cards?" "It's Friday and I didn't earn any cards yet, what jobs are left?" "He did my job that I was just thinking about doing! You should give us both cards!") I actually enjoy most housework (though you wouldn't know it to look at my house!) except dusting. Just can't get the hang of dusting. My main problem is finding the time -- between cooking, schooling, and chasing the baby -- to do some of the "deep cleaning/clean out" stuff I long to do. But there are some super ideas up there, thanks! This has been a joy to read!
In our house the older ones are responsible for their rooms plus other chores. They earn holy cards for each job well done, and can turn them in at the end of the week for movies or computer game time. It’s a new idea this year, and working pretty well, except for the mild insanity induced by “bargaining.” (”If I do an extra-good job, do I get extra cards?” “It’s Friday and I didn’t earn any cards yet, what jobs are left?” “He did my job that I was just thinking about doing! You should give us both cards!”)

I actually enjoy most housework (though you wouldn’t know it to look at my house!) except dusting. Just can’t get the hang of dusting. My main problem is finding the time — between cooking, schooling, and chasing the baby — to do some of the “deep cleaning/clean out” stuff I long to do. But there are some super ideas up there, thanks!

]]> By: Mary B http://daniellebean.com/2008/03/27/help-with-housework/comment-page-1/#comment-9982 Mary B Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:30:18 +0000 http://daniellebean.com/?p=4082#comment-9982 Sundays: We used to be part of a prayer group that read The Lord's Day grace every Saturday night (Catholic version of shabat.) It motivated us to get LOTS done on Friday and Saturday. If the house is in bad shape Sunday-- go out! Visit the elderly, take a family walk indulge in a movie. Yes Moday was filled with laundry, but I did catch the Sun. Coffee Hour cocoa stains. Since my house was already a mess that was when we did the messy part of school. The kids did art at the dining room table while I worked from the top down, checking after each chore. Smart Moms: my mom gave all 7 of us a Welcome mat for Christmas last year that says: The house was clean yesterday. Sorry you missed it. The best guests don't care what your house looks like. So for motivation invited someone other than your best friend ; ) Sundays:
We used to be part of a prayer group that read The Lord’s Day grace every Saturday night (Catholic version of shabat.) It motivated us to get LOTS done on Friday and Saturday. If the house is in bad shape Sunday– go out! Visit the elderly, take a family walk indulge in a movie.

Yes Moday was filled with laundry, but I did catch the Sun. Coffee Hour cocoa stains. Since my house was already a mess that was when we did the messy part of school. The kids did art at the dining room table while I worked from the top down, checking after each chore.

Smart Moms: my mom gave all 7 of us a Welcome mat for Christmas last year that says: The house was clean yesterday. Sorry you missed it.
The best guests don’t care what your house looks like. So for motivation invited someone other than your best friend ; )

]]> By: Dani http://daniellebean.com/2008/03/27/help-with-housework/comment-page-1/#comment-9981 Dani Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:50:51 +0000 http://daniellebean.com/?p=4082#comment-9981 GB, I was checking back this morning to see if there were any more book suggestions and I saw your post. I, too, have all littles and, yes, it can be a challenge. For the bathroom, someone once gave me a suggestion that I've found invaluable...clean the bathroom while you're supervising bath time. While the kids splash, you scrub! Then after they get out of the bath, daddy does pj duty while you do the tub...Also, I started involving my kids in household chores when they were about 15 months. When they are very young, they want to be a part of it all, and they quickly gain in skills. Plus, it isn't a struggle then to get them to do work as they get older. When I dust, I give each of my kids (21 mos and 4 yrs.) their own Swiffer duster to help. When I clean windows, I use vinegar and water, and they love to wipe it off...I just have them do the window in front of me, so when we all shift down, I'm redoing their window...When I do laundry, I put the wet clothes into a laundry basket and the kids put them into the dryer while I sort and start another load. I found when my oldest was around 15 months, I started to feel he was "under foot" while I was trying to get things done, so rather than struggle against his wanting to be right where I was doing what I was doing, I started to find ways to incorporate him into my cleaning, and it's worked great. True, there are things I can't do with "help," but it's much easier to steal a few minutes for these things when dad is home if everything else gets done during the day.(that includes vacuuming for us, too, since my kids also abhor the vac....) GB, I was checking back this morning to see if there were any more book suggestions and I saw your post. I, too, have all littles and, yes, it can be a challenge. For the bathroom, someone once gave me a suggestion that I’ve found invaluable…clean the bathroom while you’re supervising bath time. While the kids splash, you scrub! Then after they get out of the bath, daddy does pj duty while you do the tub…Also, I started involving my kids in household chores when they were about 15 months. When they are very young, they want to be a part of it all, and they quickly gain in skills. Plus, it isn’t a struggle then to get them to do work as they get older. When I dust, I give each of my kids (21 mos and 4 yrs.) their own Swiffer duster to help. When I clean windows, I use vinegar and water, and they love to wipe it off…I just have them do the window in front of me, so when we all shift down, I’m redoing their window…When I do laundry, I put the wet clothes into a laundry basket and the kids put them into the dryer while I sort and start another load. I found when my oldest was around 15 months, I started to feel he was “under foot” while I was trying to get things done, so rather than struggle against his wanting to be right where I was doing what I was doing, I started to find ways to incorporate him into my cleaning, and it’s worked great. True, there are things I can’t do with “help,” but it’s much easier to steal a few minutes for these things when dad is home if everything else gets done during the day.(that includes vacuuming for us, too, since my kids also abhor the vac….)

]]> By: Jen http://daniellebean.com/2008/03/27/help-with-housework/comment-page-1/#comment-9980 Jen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:24:05 +0000 http://daniellebean.com/?p=4082#comment-9980 With little kids, sometimes that's when a baby gate comes in handy or a special set of toys. When I would clean the bathroom, I would put the babygate up to keep them out. (Still use it occasionally b/c of the nosy dog. With vacuuming, maybe if you had a special set of toys that only came out when you vacuumed and they played with them in a different room than where you are, it might turn into a treat. With little kids, sometimes that’s when a baby gate comes in handy or a special set of toys. When I would clean the bathroom, I would put the babygate up to keep them out. (Still use it occasionally b/c of the nosy dog. With vacuuming, maybe if you had a special set of toys that only came out when you vacuumed and they played with them in a different room than where you are, it might turn into a treat.

]]> By: Elizabeth http://daniellebean.com/2008/03/27/help-with-housework/comment-page-1/#comment-9979 Elizabeth Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:10:39 +0000 http://daniellebean.com/?p=4082#comment-9979 I've found the book "Sink Reflections" by the FlyLady to be a life saver. I am lazy when it comes to housework and while I never leave it dirty it is often messy. The first thing I have done to make cleaning easier is to get rid of extra clothing that we never wear and toys we never use. Now I am able to put all the laundry away without having to stuff it in overstuffed drawers and I am not constantly picking up toys that were thrown out of the toybox to reach something at the bottom. I have also started a weekly cleaning system. When I say "started" I mean I have only set up one chore for one day and once I get used to that routine I will add more days and chores. RIght now I do things when they need to be done but I think daily maintanance is the better way to go so things don't pile up. Laundry and dishes are done each day (though I rarely hit the last of the laundry in the hamper) but Friday I have set up for my big bathroom cleaning and mopping day. It is nice to get the whole bathroom completely clean and the kitchen and bathroom floors mopped each week and know that they will stay fairly clean until the next Friday. I’ve found the book “Sink Reflections” by the FlyLady to be a life saver. I am lazy when it comes to housework and while I never leave it dirty it is often messy. The first thing I have done to make cleaning easier is to get rid of extra clothing that we never wear and toys we never use. Now I am able to put all the laundry away without having to stuff it in overstuffed drawers and I am not constantly picking up toys that were thrown out of the toybox to reach something at the bottom. I have also started a weekly cleaning system. When I say “started” I mean I have only set up one chore for one day and once I get used to that routine I will add more days and chores. RIght now I do things when they need to be done but I think daily maintanance is the better way to go so things don’t pile up. Laundry and dishes are done each day (though I rarely hit the last of the laundry in the hamper) but Friday I have set up for my big bathroom cleaning and mopping day. It is nice to get the whole bathroom completely clean and the kitchen and bathroom floors mopped each week and know that they will stay fairly clean until the next Friday.

]]> By: Kim F. http://daniellebean.com/2008/03/27/help-with-housework/comment-page-1/#comment-9978 Kim F. Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:32:57 +0000 http://daniellebean.com/?p=4082#comment-9978 Sarah L. I do the same thing! I've actually told people that I want to have them over because I need to clean my house. They usually think I'm kidding. The one area that gets neglected though, especially with that method, is my master bath. I usually shower without my contact lenses in...what I can't see can't hurt me, right? Sarah L. I do the same thing! I’ve actually told people that I want to have them over because I need to clean my house. They usually think I’m kidding. The one area that gets neglected though, especially with that method, is my master bath. I usually shower without my contact lenses in…what I can’t see can’t hurt me, right?

]]> By: Michelle http://daniellebean.com/2008/03/27/help-with-housework/comment-page-1/#comment-9977 Michelle Thu, 27 Mar 2008 23:19:30 +0000 http://daniellebean.com/?p=4082#comment-9977 I got this idea from a homeschool conference and it works great for family of 9 (kids are infant to 13). Each of the oldest 3 are assigned 2 rooms to straighten daily (no cleaning - just removing the accumulations), the 4 and 6 year old each have a small job that I need to direct. It's put an end to clutter and when it's time to clean we can clean without first putting everything away! Also, I don't argue about the kids doing the work anymore. If it's not done by 4:00 (and it takes them only about 15 minutes) then they have automatically "hired" someone else to do it and the one who neglected their duty pays. I agree about the desk issue though...it serves so many functions and so many people (kids using the computer for school work too) that it constantly frustrates me. And with bills, etc. getting buried I need to be the one to clean it up. I'm sure I just don't have it organized quite right yet.......... I got this idea from a homeschool conference and it works great for family of 9 (kids are infant to 13). Each of the oldest 3 are assigned 2 rooms to straighten daily (no cleaning – just removing the accumulations), the 4 and 6 year old each have a small job that I need to direct. It’s put an end to clutter and when it’s time to clean we can clean without first putting everything away! Also, I don’t argue about the kids doing the work anymore. If it’s not done by 4:00 (and it takes them only about 15 minutes) then they have automatically “hired” someone else to do it and the one who neglected their duty pays.

I agree about the desk issue though…it serves so many functions and so many people (kids using the computer for school work too) that it constantly frustrates me. And with bills, etc. getting buried I need to be the one to clean it up. I’m sure I just don’t have it organized quite right yet……….

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