Pre-baby it was a constant battle to keep the place clean. We both worked 40+ hours a week so when we were home it was hard to find the energy or the time. We have a very nice but fairly small 2 bedroom condo so anything out of place tends to make the entire place seem cluttered and disorganized.
Post-baby it's much cleaner! I'm home full time now so even though baby girl keeps me busy, I have more time home than I did before. Each morning I get up about an hour before she wakes to pump and have my morning coffee. I use the coffee high to vacuum all the dog hair up, clear any dishes in the dish rack, and generally straighten up any messes DH made the night before (he stays up late to do DD's midnight feeding). This usually includes wiping down the kitchen again, refluffing the couch pillows, etc. Then once I've gotten baby girl down for her first nap, I make the bed and do whatever deep cleaning item is on my list for that day. Sunday's are laundry days, Monday's I deep clean the bathrooms, Tuesdays I mop the floors, Wed-Sat is just general cleaning.
Breaking it up like this keeps me from getting overwhelmed and between pumping and taking care of LO, I only have time for one big thing a day.
Seriously, one reason I asked to work from home one day per week is so there's any chance I can do some cleaning. When LO is home, it's just not possible. DH and I can get the bare minimum done otherwise (clean bottles, run a load of dishes IF we are lucky).
I am considering a housekeeper for "deep cleaning" every 3-ish weeks (vacuum, dust, mop, bathrooms) but I'm worried I won't have time to pick up all the crap so they can even get to those areas!
The funny thing is that we had a house cleaner pre baby but we cancelled them since I'd be home, I got paranoid about what they were using, and they really weren't doing an awesome job for the price... But we don't mop nearly enough and with two big dogs I'm dreading LO starting to crawl. Ewww
Seriously, one reason I asked to work from home one day per week is so there's any chance I can do some cleaning. When LO is home, it's just not possible. DH and I can get the bare minimum done otherwise (clean bottles, run a load of dishes IF we are lucky).
I am considering a housekeeper for "deep cleaning" every 3-ish weeks (vacuum, dust, mop, bathrooms) but I'm worried I won't have time to pick up all the crap so they can even get to those areas!
My husband thinks it's so funny when I tell him to straighten up for the housekeeper. My mom made us growing up and it's just stuck.
This weekend I paid a teenager $5/hr to play with DS so I could clean and DH could get some work done in the garage. LO napped the whole time. Best $10 I ever spent. She's going to babysit eventually, for now we're just going to have her over when we want to get things done.
This weekend I paid a teenager $5/hr to play with DS so I could clean and DH could get some work done in the garage. LO napped the whole time. Best $10 I ever spent. She's going to babysit eventually, for now we're just going to have her over when we want to get things done.
This weekend I paid a teenager $5/hr to play with DS so I could clean and DH could get some work done in the garage. LO napped the whole time. Best $10 I ever spent. She's going to babysit eventually, for now we're just going to have her over when we want to get things done.
@hoodoll82 is right, this is a FANTASTIC idea. Now I have to convince DH
I found her on nextdoor.com. Someone else brought up that website and I had 3 teenagers' parents respond when I posted I was looking for a sitter. And they all live within a mile!
Seriously, one reason I asked to work from home one day per week is so there's any chance I can do some cleaning. When LO is home, it's just not possible. DH and I can get the bare minimum done otherwise (clean bottles, run a load of dishes IF we are lucky).
I am considering a housekeeper for "deep cleaning" every 3-ish weeks (vacuum, dust, mop, bathrooms) but I'm worried I won't have time to pick up all the crap so they can even get to those areas!
My husband thinks it's so funny when I tell him to straighten up for the housekeeper. My mom made us growing up and it's just stuck.
My DH doesn't get this either, I tell him you have to clean (pick up) for the house keeper, they can't deep clean with shit everywhere
Re: How clean is your house?
Post-baby it's much cleaner! I'm home full time now so even though baby girl keeps me busy, I have more time home than I did before. Each morning I get up about an hour before she wakes to pump and have my morning coffee. I use the coffee high to vacuum all the dog hair up, clear any dishes in the dish rack, and generally straighten up any messes DH made the night before (he stays up late to do DD's midnight feeding). This usually includes wiping down the kitchen again, refluffing the couch pillows, etc. Then once I've gotten baby girl down for her first nap, I make the bed and do whatever deep cleaning item is on my list for that day. Sunday's are laundry days, Monday's I deep clean the bathrooms, Tuesdays I mop the floors, Wed-Sat is just general cleaning.
Breaking it up like this keeps me from getting overwhelmed and between pumping and taking care of LO, I only have time for one big thing a day.
I am considering a housekeeper for "deep cleaning" every 3-ish weeks (vacuum, dust, mop, bathrooms) but I'm worried I won't have time to pick up all the crap so they can even get to those areas!