XP Housework....how do you do it??

MrsJuneHawk · August 2009

I've been a stay at home mom all along but my family has been living with us for the better part of the past year so I haven't really had to worry about doing housework, cooking, etc. They have now moved out and I am left to fend for myself.

My son (whom I've just heard wake up screaming from his short nap) takes a couple of naps a day most days but the length is very unpredictable. When he's awake, he's very clingy. When I put him down this morning I quickly started going the dishes, sweeping the floor etc but that's just the tip of the iceberg. We live in a fairly large house and thought of cleaning it alone overwhelms me, let alone do everything else too.

Anyhow, how do you manage to do the housework, cook, etc, with a baby/toddler around? I am so overwhelmed and I realize I've been spoiled by my family but I knew this day would come.

Any tips, tricks or advice will be very appreciated!

PS. I am starting school again later this month and I am going full time so Liev will be in daycare, if that changes things.

Ravings Rabbids · August 2009

I clean when the Man is asleep. Cook when he's awake and playing with his sister or his Dad. Just a lot of teamwork, otherwise I'd never be able to keep up at all!

ncbelle · August 2009

I don't ;-) Well, when I do, and kiddo is awake and not content to do his own thing, I wear him on my back. Then I keep him happy and get an extra workout!

JimsBride08 · August 2009

It's easiest for me to just take it one day at a time and do what I can. Some days I clean 4 rooms during DS's nap, other days I only do one. Sometimes I don't get to do the dishes so they sit in the sink until after DS goes to bed. DH also chips in. Even though I SAH with DS, I've made sure to leave DH with him enough that he sees what it's like so he's not mad if I don't get stuff done. As long as you're living in a reasonably clean house and it's not filthy, don't worry! Just enjoy your little man while you can.

Gina418 · August 2009

I do a lot once ds is down for the night (usually around 7:30) - the quiet stuff, dusting, folding laundry, cleaning the bathroom etc. On weekends one of us will entertain ds while the other does the vacuuming and other loud stuff.

Sometimes there are days nothing gets done - it's ok, it'll be there tomorrow!

Once you get into a rhythym, you'll be fine!

JessMil10 · August 2009

Brooke is a great napper so I can get things done while she is sleeping. Sometimes I will do things when DH is home to watch her or after she goes to bed, especially picking up all her toys from a day of playing!

MeleahMae · August 2009

I work part time (til 12:30 on weekdays) so when I am with DS I try to savor the time and enjoy it. His bedtime is 7 pm so I clean, do laundry, etc after he's asleep. When I'm working in the kitchen (making dinner or lunch) I put him in his high chair and give him some fruit to eat. Sometimes I put on Baby Einstein (not often, though). Sometimes he is just content being able to see me so I will put a blanket on the floor in the kitchen along with some toys and sit him down. He's not overly clingy toward me though... well, at least not until he's tired. Then he just wants his mama!

GL!!!

PS Would hiring someone to come in for 2 or 3 hours a week be feasible? They could vacuum, mop, sweep, clean the bathrooms. Maybe that would be helpful. In our area, housekeepers charge (on average) $15 an hour. It may not be that cheap where you are.

msabol2077 · August 2009

Usually when he is napping. Do you have a baby carrier? If my lo is awake I can get some of the stuff done with him in the bjorn (vacuuming, sweeping, picking up stuff like that. Obviously nothing with cleaning supplies or chemicals). He actually loves to be in there while I clean.

ABMcKinney · August 2009

I work part time, but on the days that I'm off Elmo or Barney will baby sit for about 30 minutes or so while I run through the house and try to get as much done as possible.

mabst196 · August 2009

I don't do nearly as much cleaning as I once did. Most cleaning is done when she is down for a nap on the weekends since I work FT. I do dishes and anything else pressing during the week after she goes to bed. For the most part, my house is pretty dusty and needs a good sweeping most of the time. I can vacuum while she is awake as she loves to watch and chase me around the room with it so I still do that every other day or so.

disbride061103 · August 2009

Since I don't SAH, I leave the major cleaning for the weekend. During the week, I try to concentrate on DS. If something needs cleaned or straightened up during the week, I will do it while DS is playing or after he goes to bed.

Our house is about 2300 sq feet, so it takes a while to clean. I have adopted an schedule where I will clean the first floor one weekend and the second floor on the next weekend. On the weekend that a floor isn't being cleaned, I do tidy up and spot clean. Also, DH usually watches DS while I'm cleaning, so that makes it a lot easier.

What'sNext? · August 2009

When possible I wear her, she loves vacuuming. When I am folding laundry, I give her a couple of pieces and she "folds" with me. The biggest thing that helped me was making a list. I am a big list person and I love the satisfaction of checking things off of a list. I put all kinds of things on my list, for example...1. Clear off coffee table 2. Blow bubbles with Katie 3. Vacuum 4. Take Katie and puppy for a walk 5. Make grocery list. ...etc. Even if I got one or two "housework" chores completed, I had a visual that I had a productive day and then it was easier for me to prioritize my housecleaning. Now everyday I start with "what is the one thing (chore-wise) that has to be done" and I go from there. DH pitches in whenever it is possible and that has been a huge help.

MEJ2008 · August 2009

I speed-clean. It's amazing how quick I can clean a bathroom now

. Most of the time I have her "help" me. If I'm folding laundry I'll give her a couple washcloths or something to play with. She usually follows me around the house, though. So when I dust she just follows me room to room. I wait until DH is home to vacuum. I put rubber duckys in a pan of water for her to play with while I clean the kitchen. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

oceanlover · August 2009

As we both work full time, H and I try to tackle it all on weekends and only keep up on the dishes/kitchen during the week. I have often thought about hiring a cleaning service, but it doesnt seem like it would pay unless they were walking behind us 24/7 when home. LOL.

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