How does everyone manage keeping the house clean, working out, cooking, etc... - Page 2

[scottishmommy]

All the advice is great! I just wanted to ask if you've had your thyroid checked. It's worth checking out if you're experiencing weight gain. If you're thyroid is sluggish it also may make you feel more overwhelmed. Just a thought. Good luck!

[Smokering]

I made a New Year's Resolution to do an hour of housework every day Monday to Friday. As in, a solid hour - I'm not allowed to get to the end of the day and then go "Oh yeah, uh, well, with dinner and doing the laundry and all that I probably did an hour". I set the timer.

It's good - it doesn't totally take care of my housework needs, especially as I define "housework" rather loosely to include coking/food prep, sewing and gardening. But it means that whatever else happens, I've DONE an hour of housework, and that's something! It usually gives me time to unload the dishwasher, water the garden (by hand, arrgh), put a load of washing on and fold another load, put away clothes from the foot of the bed and pull the duvet up, and then do something slightly "extra" like vacuuming or cleaning the stove. Occasionally I get really Martha Stewart and clean the fridge. Or sometimes I'll start making dinner early in the morning, which otherwise I'd never think to do.

Anyway, I'd really recommend it! It's the only one of my New Year's Resolutions I've actually, um, consistently kept. And just being in housekeeping mode for that hour tends to jog my memory - "Ooh, I have to put the bread on" is a common one.

[wsgrl84]

I have a 4 and 2.5 almost 3 year old too!

I try very hard to balance everything, I am a true Libra at heart!

Mondays I spend at home, getting all the housework done.
I do the laundry when the washer is full.
My boys pick up their own toys in their room.
I keep all the toys in their bedroom, so I don't have to clean it up or step on them!
I go to the gym class 3 times a week at night, while husband takes the older one to TKD class.
My husband takes care of all the mail.
I cook a good meal 3 times a week, on the nights I work out, meals are quick. We eat out on Friday nights.
I wait until it's that time of month for me, usually I get into a cleaning freak mood and i clean everywhere...lol

Have a friend babysit the kids for 2 hrs ! Good luck!

[zinemama]

I did not work out regularly until my kids were in school full time.

Granted, I got excercise walking to the grocery, the library - almost everywhere, really, while pushing that double stroller or carrying one in the backpack and pushing the other. But as a regular, organized thing? Not for a good 7 years.

My husband did/does a lot around the house.

[honeybee]

I don't. Household management is not my forte... or much of an interest, for that matter. I think I'm starting to accept it, even though it would be nice if the house was clean more often. I like a clean house, just not a big fan of the effort it takes to do it. I'd rather be doing... well, almost anything else.

[LCBMAX]

I have no idea how it all gets done. I'm nightweaning my 26 month old now and I hope that once I get good sleep, my brain and energy will help solve this problem at my house. Hoping.

[nerdymom]

hey, welcome to the club! There's a ton of great advice here, but I will add what is working for me, with a disclaimer: I do not have it all together. I'm just trying to reach a point where I can live contentedly, happily. And I'm not 100% there yet. But I'm working towards it. What I'm about to tell you is a process which I have been slowly working up to for the past year or more.

1) For low energy: I try to make sure I am eating enough calories, quality calories, not junk. If I wait til I'm too hungry I eat junk. I had to supplement with iron for a long time before I reached a point where I only have to do it during and after my cycle. I take a vitamin B complex and vitamin C when I need a burst of energy. I just started taking cod liver oil for the vitamin D.

2)exercise: I try to work out 3 times a week at a minimum. We joined a gym that has childcare, and to motivate myself I reward myself with a long shower and primping time after my workout. Now that the weather is nicer I'm also trying to get outside with DS for walks each afternoon.

3)decluttering. Set a goal, a small goal like, get rid of 1 thing each day. Freecycle is great for this, people will come to your house and pick the stuff up. If you can't do that, get a bin, fill it, and every week drop it off at a charity shop like Goodwill. Just get it out of the house! The less mess there is to clean, the easier it is to clean.

4)make your priorities. My priority is the kitchen. I do one big clean while DH is giving DS his evening bath, and maintenance the rest of the day. Everything else, well, I do it when I can. I try to do a load of laundry every other day. DH cleans the bathrooms. We split the vacuuming. I pick up the toys occasionally. I never dust. I hide messes. I hate mopping.

[nikandbud]

Thank you all for your suggestions and words of wisdom. I think one of my biggest problems is I have too much junk and toys around the house. Once I declutter this place I'll have to try to stick to a routine. I live in a 1600 sf ranch for those who asked. My basement is full of junk. My laundry room is messy. My husband has an office and bathroom downstairs that is always a mess. I have 2 baths upstairs and by the time I clean those, I never feel like getting to his in the basment. My upstairs I usually keep somewhat clean, but at the end of day it's usually a mess and I spend a hour cleaning it and then I don't feel like starting a big project like the basement. I don't feel like my standards are that high b/c a little dust doesn't bother me or windows being dirty, it's the clutter that kills me. I just joined a gym which I've been wanting to do for awhile to get rid of the 5 lbs. I have been going to 3 aerobic classes per week for almost 3 weeks now. My hubby watches the kids in the morning b/c he works afternooons.

I do have low thyroid (someone asked) and I'm on meds (which I think are helping?) Thanks again for the tips!!!

[Storm Bride]

Originally Posted by Smokering

I made a New Year's Resolution to do an hour of housework every day Monday to Friday. As in, a solid hour - I'm not allowed to get to the end of the day and then go "Oh yeah, uh, well, with dinner and doing the laundry and all that I probably did an hour". I set the timer.

It's good - it doesn't totally take care of my housework needs, especially as I define "housework" rather loosely to include coking/food prep, sewing and gardening. But it means that whatever else happens, I've DONE an hour of housework, and that's something! It usually gives me time to unload the dishwasher, water the garden (by hand, arrgh), put a load of washing on and fold another load, put away clothes from the foot of the bed and pull the duvet up, and then do something slightly "extra" like vacuuming or cleaning the stove. Occasionally I get really Martha Stewart and clean the fridge. Or sometimes I'll start making dinner early in the morning, which otherwise I'd never think to do.

Anyway, I'd really recommend it! It's the only one of my New Year's Resolutions I've actually, um, consistently kept. And just being in housekeeping mode for that hour tends to jog my memory - "Ooh, I have to put the bread on" is a common one.

I just saw this.

Smokering: Do you do the hour as a solid block, or stop and start the timer? This might be an idea for me. At the very least, I wouldn't feel so much as if I've done nothing all day....

Dinner takes me an easy hour, but I wouldn't count that.

I think my single biggest challenge/failure to date is that I'm not consistent enough about getting the kids - especially the middle two - to clean up after themselves during the day. They turn this house into...I can't even describe it. Many days, I could probably spend an hour just picking up toys, clothes and such, and putting things back where they belong.

[Amys1st]

How do I manage? Easy, after 8 plus years as a SAHparent, I finally figured it out. My kids grew out of babyhood and toddler time!!

One is in 2nd grade (I do not hs) and the other is in preschool 9 hours a week. I am no longer whipping out a boob, wearing a baby, changing a diaper, lugging a bag of extras (snacks, diapers etc) and most nights getting 7 plus hours of rest.

I have to organize and plan meals, grocery shop without the kids! Laundry is on a good schedule, and starting 6 months ago, I hired a personal trainer and now have a tight gym schedule and tight figure again

I still have days where I feel I spend the whole day cleaning up after people, but usually the kids can help with that now.

I promise, it gets better as the kids get older.

[alaskaberry]

Originally Posted by nikandbud

Hi all,

I'm feeling like an unorganized stay-at-home mom that cannot get caught up with anything. Each night I spend doing dishes, picking up toys, laundry, and I still feel out of control the next day. My basement is a mess, mail is piling up and I just feel like I can't keep up. Laundry is stacking up, etc. I have a 2.5 yr old and almost 4 year old. Some weeks are better than others, but I just feel so overwhelmed. I haven't worked out all winter and have gained about 15 lbs. How does everyone do it? Looking for some inspiration to get my life back on track. Thanks!

We get rid of everything we haven't used for a year (incl. toys). If I'm saving something for the youngest, it goes into our storage space. Dishes--I try to do these once a day(usually right after dinner--your dh/dp can get the kids ready for bed, or if you're single, you can do them right after the kids go down), or else they just pile up, kwim? Vacuuming-2x/wk unless the floor really needs it. I do laundry 1x/wk, but I also have to use the laundromat. I also have a 4 yr old--it's harder to make them help pick up toys than you'd think, isn't it? Just remember, they're only little once... You don't have to be a neat freak. Houses with kids are naturally messy! (I try to remind my DP of this gently when he complains!) Also, kids are great helpers for vacuuming, sorting laundry, "washing" windows, etc.

[JennTheMomma]

Hunter likes helping me, so that helps. He's good with picking up his own toys, putting dishes in the sink, handing me hangers for clothes, etc. I'm 39 weeks pregnant though, so I am a bit behind, but hopefully with the help of DH all that will be caught up. I try to stay on top of everything each day that way I don't get behind.

[FoxintheSnow]

For me, working out become a top priority so something had to give and in my case it was the house. It's not spotless or organized like Ive had it, but it's fine and Im a lot healthier. After I get home from the gym Im wiped.