Motivated Moms chore list - Page 7

[thewaggonerfamily]

Originally Posted by LHarris

I hope that your big kids are helping! There is no reason why they can't. I am due with our 6th child in August and my little ones are really picking up the slack. On top of starting MM, we've made MOTH schedule and the kids are loving it. I understand your predicament. My dh isn't working a lot of hours right now so he's taken over the washing of the laundry; I just have to hang and fold it. (We don't have a dryer.) But the dishes are currently piled up and the laundry is always there!

Talk to me more about your MOTH schedule. I know the basics of it, but am too cheap to buy it. I guess what I want to know is specifically what they like and how you implement it, and how it works with MM. Also what are the ages of your kinder?

[fancyoats]

i'm joining you ladies too. i downloaded/got it printed/bound at kinko's last weekend and have been trying to keep up as best i can. there have definitely been chores i have missed along the way, but i am liking it so far. i am trying to catch up after totally letting the house go during the first trimester!

[Okapi]

Originally Posted by Mirta

then DH calls and tells me that the job that he accepted and has been waiting about 3 weeks for the clearances, etc to go through fell through as the company just put on a hiring freeze.. <sigh> this sent us both into shock.. I had a hard time getting myself to do anything else.. Poor DH had to try to focus on the temp work he was doing and then come home and start applying for jobs again..

That is awful! DH had a job offer (one that would have involved a move we both REALLY wanted) fall through earlier this year due to a hiring freeze so I know how that feels. Here's hoping he finds something even better!

Thanks to all for the wall washing ideas. Our kitchen, like others have mentioned, has the crappy flat paint put on by the builders, so I was afraid I was just going to soak the sheetrock! We really need to paint.

I turned my mattress yesterday, but I'm thinking I may turn it back. I woke up this morning to a VERY unhappy back. Then I got to thinking, and I'm pretty sure we turned it a month or so ago because my back had started bothering me. Oops.

Hope everyone has a good weekend!

[LoveLife]

Yesterday went great and the house looked really good. Today...well its Saturday and I find it very difficult to do more than dishes when DH is home, so I've got to tidy up and nothing on the list got done. In fact I'm not even sure what was on the list for today. I'll have to work on it. But its still looks pretty decent from the regular week.

Have a great weekend everyone!

[LHarris]

Originally Posted by thewaggonerfamily

Talk to me more about your MOTH schedule. I know the basics of it, but am too cheap to buy it. I guess what I want to know is specifically what they like and how you implement it, and how it works with MM. Also what are the ages of your kinder?

Good morning. MOTH is basically scheduling every half hour of the day for every person (except dad, usually) in the house. You can certainly have 15 in blocks and hour or two hour blocks (like for naps) but most of the day is broken into 30 minute blocks. The kids like to know that they are going to have time on the computer. They like to know what comes next in the day. If I get off the schedule or someone misses their computer because we are out of the house, I hear about it.

I made the schedule in Excel because I have borrowed the book from a friend and I didn't have the work sheets. I started by listing everything we needed to accomplish in a day - homeschool (math, reading and character studies for the summer), chores, free time, meals. So then I started by plugging in the meals, and their cleanup. Then naps. After that I just started working through the list. I knew I wanted a big chunk of free outdoor play in the afternoon. So my mornings became full of schoolwork and computer time.

I work MM in by assigning those jobs at chore time at 4PM. Or for misbehavior during the day. Anything that doesn't get done, is left or I do when preparing a meal or bathing children.

One thing I was not doing before MOTH was reading to the children before bed. I really wanted to work that into our lives. I have been able to do that now and bedtime runs a lot smoother.

My children are 8, 7, 5, 3, 1.5 years. I am teaching (in the fall) grade 4, 3, and Kindergarten.

Like any system, Momma has to work the system. MOTH won't run itself, like I'd hoped. Having the schedule up on the wall (I printed it large enough to cover 4 regular sheets of paper and taped them together.) keeps me honest and the kids are learning to check the schedule to know what's coming next.

I wish that I could have scheduled myself more computer time, but at this time in our lives I don't have the time to get things done and sit here.

[noobmom]

Is MOTH "Managers of their Homes" http://www.titus2.com/ecommerce/prod...sting.php/1100? I had to google it to figure out what it stood for.

I'm thinking about jumping on the Motivated Moms bandwagon. The lists seem dead simple, but maybe that's what I need right now--someone else to write it down for me. Anyone have a guess as to whether the WAHM will offer it for sale soon? I found some threads that said she cut the price to $4 around this time of year (I guess since you only get half a year's worth at this point). For now I'm starting with the sample pages to see how I like the system.

[Down2Earth]

It's a new week! I sort of flaked out last week. It was hot and muggy and I didn't feel like doing anything. But it seems like a pretty easy day today: vacuum floor and furniture and cleaning the toilet. I think I can do that!

[LHarris]

Originally Posted by noobmom

Is MOTH "Managers of their Homes" http://www.titus2.com/ecommerce/prod...sting.php/1100? I had to google it to figure out what it stood for.

That's correct

[LoveLife]

Today has been great so far. I've still got to do another load of laundry, but that's it.

It was so nice to finish my list, throw some towels in a bag, go to the gym, work out and then take DS to the pool- all before noon! These were things I felt I couldn't do before, I always felt the house had to be perfect. So I think I'm really liking this system. Though its only the begining of week 2, we'll see how the rest of the week goes. :-)

[mags.bubble]

Originally Posted by daisymama12

I got zero done today - my father unexpectedly ended up in the hospital (luckily everything has worked out).

Tomorrow is a new day!

Hope your father is doing better. Mine ended up admitted 2 nights ago. The house pretty much has been shot to hell since. I am going to catch up today. My dd19 doesn't have class this morning so she is going to help me complete today & yesterday's chores. I normally don't try to catch up what is missed, but I have the extra hands and the toilets really need to be cleaned.

Originally Posted by Down2Earth

I just use vinegar and water and try to wash any obvious spots. I've washed paint off the walls in the past, so now I'm afraid of scrubbing too hard. The next time we paint I'm going to be sure to use a washable paint.

Thats what I did too. Vinegar & water a cloth just getting the spots that needed it.

Originally Posted by Down2Earth

It's a new week! I sort of flaked out last week. It was hot and muggy and I didn't feel like doing anything. But it seems like a pretty easy day today: vacuum floor and furniture and cleaning the toilet. I think I can do that!

Some days are like that aren't they.

Originally Posted by LoveLife

Today has been great so far. I've still got to do another load of laundry, but that's it.

It was so nice to finish my list, throw some towels in a bag, go to the gym, work out and then take DS to the pool- all before noon! These were things I felt I couldn't do before, I always felt the house had to be perfect. So I think I'm really liking this system. Though its only the begining of week 2, we'll see how the rest of the week goes. :-)

That is why I love this system so much. I really feel accomplished and then can get on with my day.

Off to grab dd and get to it. I figure we can be done in an hour if we work together. Then I can head out to visit my Dad.

[Comtessa]

Originally Posted by mags.bubble

That is why I love this system so much. I really feel accomplished and then can get on with my day.

Seriously! I feel like a convert to a new religion. I emailed all my SAHM friends to say, "try this!" It has been so hard for me to figure out how to keep my house clean AND keep the baby in one piece AND get my work done (I WAH) AND also manage to get some sort of meal on the table. I feel busier during the day now, but at the end of it I feel like I can really relax. DH has noticed the difference already - he says "I like the new you!" You know what it is? It enforces the principle of "enoughness." At the end of the day, you have to be ok with doing "enough." I'm so grateful for the daily reminder!!!

So--- Okay, now, 'fess up everyone -- how many people washed their walls for the first time ever today??? (raising hand sheepishly)

[chely7425]

I definitely washed my walls for the first time ever.... Glad I wasn't the only one!!!

[IsaFrench]

.. i haven't washed my walls YET !

have not even looked at the calendar for at least 5 days ....

BUT definitely I did much more today than I would have otherwise, even if it's not on today's suggestions (I had a lot of catching up to do)
just knowing that the calendar is there, somewhere in a folder, really makes me feel otherwise (aka better) about housework

AND I like the idea that when I feel caught up enough , then I can go back to the day it will be then .... and enjoy the "enough" feeling when ticking the day's chores ....

[LoveLife]

Going good so far. I still have to mop today (and vacuum because our dog is shedding SO much), but other than that my cleaning is done. I can't believe how much junk I had in my car!

I actually washed all the walls (minus my kitchen walls) while I was on break from classes in May. So I've just been giving them a quick dusting when that comes up on the list.

[LHarris]

I haven't felt like doing much of anything. The list is still posted on the fridge. I barely am doing the basics, but I really need to get my butt in gear. the trouble is finding the energy. I've got 10 weeks to go in this pregnancy! I'm not ready, not in any way really.

And when I'm not tired, I have so much energy that I wear myself out. Going to have to come up with a plan.

[mags.bubble]

Originally Posted by LHarris

I haven't felt like doing much of anything. The list is still posted on the fridge. I barely am doing the basics, but I really need to get my butt in gear. the trouble is finding the energy. I've got 10 weeks to go in this pregnancy! I'm not ready, not in any way really.

And when I'm not tired, I have so much energy that I wear myself out. Going to have to come up with a plan.

I can understand that, I feel that sometimes too.

This week will be a real testimonial to MM's. I will be out of town, so I left the list with dd19 to take care of things while I am gone. She is only taking one class, and works less than 20hrs/week. I feel that since she has the house to herself she should be able to handle the chores. I'll repost on how it looks when i get back....

[LHarris]

I would say that I have not been doing well following hte list either, but when I walk by it ont he fridge I give it a quick read. Often my bathroom gets an extra wipe down or the kitchen, just because I remember reading it on the MM list.

[IsaFrench]

even if I don't get round to looking at the list every day, home LOOKS already better so, as far as I'm concerned, 8 $ is a small price to pay to finally feel that it's possible/I can do it/I can fall back on it at any time ....

wish I had know about it earlier + not taken SO MUCH time to decide to get it after first hearing about it .... LOL

[Adamsmama]

I admit this week has been much more difficult to follow than the others because all my kids are home fulltime and I've been putting all my energy into homeschooling (we are starting this Summer because I'm due in Nov.)

[thewaggonerfamily]

My MIL is coming on Tuesday, and I have been one of the MM slackers. Doing a little here and there but not doing everydays list. So I am going to post a challenge thread for this next week. (MMs starts on Sunday) I am going to post this week's day of the week chores. I figure you can look up the MM daily chores in the samples on her website. That way if you don't yet own MMs you can join in. I figure that it is less than the fair use amount and I will only do it for this week, so if you want it after that you have to go buy it.

So if you have been slacking (I have!) or would just like to join us and haven't bought it, yet come join that thread to report your daily progress. (But keep posting here!)

We are cleaning big time this weekend, then going to kick into Motivated Moms on Sunday with the new week. I thought I'd give a heads up in case anyone else is covered under and wants to get a weekend jumpstart.