Motivated Moms 2011 - Page 2

[clutterwarrior]

Originally Posted by snuggly 

Hmmm.  I've been trying the program (via the sample) the last few days and I'm not sure if it will whip my house into shape, drive me crazy, or both!  Here's the thing:  I'm messy but a perfectionist (if that makes any sense).  So I start doing one thing "vacuum the couches" for example, but then I think: "the vacuum is is out anyway and look at these stairs!" Or I clean and toilet and notice the floor around the toilet... Then the bathroom floor... Then the fact that I need to wash the bathmat... and so on.  This would be wonderful- if I had the time!  The problem is that I get caught up then I ignore homework (I'm a student), work (I work from home), or worse, DD.  Balance is so elusive! 

I think that once you do the program for quite a while, you don't find yourself getting distracted anymore by all the jobs undone....because they recently have been done!  Try to just do the jobs that are listed unless something is really filthy of course, so you don't get burned out too quickly and give up.

I love that I can do just a few jobs and be done!

I do find myself doing extra small jobs too along the way, but I think that's just life...there is always a bath mat that may need changing, or a hand print on the bathroom mirror despite having cleaned them yesterday, but generally if you do the jobs each week as they come up, nothing ever gets too out of hand.

[landgyrl]

Will be in next week...this week is outta whack as it is having been away for the holidays for 3+ weeks! Starting fresh on Monday! Yay!

[Passport Kids]

I have loved MM for the last few months, need to get the new one today! It just works so well with our busy lives of kids, dogs, and having our own business. I feel like if I can do most things on most days, I'm doing great! And I don't stress if I have a crazy day and miss a lot.

[maisiedotes]

I think I may buy it too..  I need to do something.  2 kids at home, #3 on the way, and the house is always a mess.  If I have money in paypal, I am doing it for sure.  Thanks for that $1 off code, previous poster!

[Comtessa]

Wow, ok, I finally just got around to scrubbing my faucets, and ewwwww!!!  I don't think they've ever been cleaned!!!  So 'fess up, mamas, am I the only one who was horrified by how much gunk was living in those particular corners of my house? 

Getting cleaner and more decluttered every moment... honest I am...

[crunchy_mama]

I did my living room windows yesterday, those had been put off for awhile.  Windows seem to get dirty so fast with little kids, they look so nice now though!  I like polishing faucets though, especially with hard water they are always getting water spots.  Already did tubs this morning, hopefully this will keep me on track with that, dh's shower is the job that gets neglected more than anything else. 

[Okapi]

I am in again! I just bought the app. MM has made such a huge difference in my house & even family life (been using it since June/July, sometimes more regulary then others), I think it is well worth 9 bucks a year. I also like not using up all the paper/ink (part of the reason I waited so long to get it is b/c our printer is out of ink!) I do think it might make the sharing of chores more difficult, but we will see.

And yes, count me as one of those who is regularly surprised at the amount of gunk on stuff - especially for tasks that I get to and think "wait, you have to do that?" Good example is cleaning the dining room light fixture. I've always just dusted it, b/c how would it get actually dirty so far up by the ceiling? But apparently it does. Oops.

[mags.bubble]

Originally Posted by Comtessa 

Wow, ok, I finally just got around to scrubbing my faucets, and ewwwww!!!  I don't think they've ever been cleaned!!!  So 'fess up, mamas, am I the only one who was horrified by how much gunk was living in those particular corners of my house? 

Getting cleaner and more decluttered every moment... honest I am...

Yes! While I didn't get the scrubbing faucets done(for whatever reason. I am always surprised at some of those little tasks that I had never thought of.

I have been in bed the last 3 days with a virus, so my house has gone to he**. I did hear dh cleaning the kithcen, though. Oh well, I just keep reminding myself that with MM it will be back in order within a few days....

[mags.bubble]

I also am using the app this year & really like it over the paper. My dh doesn't so "chores" or really help with the list. He does do a lot of other things, though. My kids each have a weekly chore or 2. Right now it includes emptying trash plus taking garbage/recycling out on the day, feeding pets, set & clear/wipe table, and soon will include cleaning up dog poop. They ofcourse are also responsible for their rooms, putting clean clothes away and general picking up after themselves. So, I just check it off on the app when I know they have completed their chore. I could "hide" the task, but prefer to see it so that I remember to make them complete their chore.

Originally Posted by Okapi 

I am in again! I just bought the app. MM has made such a huge difference in my house & even family life (been using it since June/July, sometimes more regulary then others), I think it is well worth 9 bucks a year. I also like not using up all the paper/ink (part of the reason I waited so long to get it is b/c our printer is out of ink!) I do think it might make the sharing of chores more difficult, but we will see.

[jgale]

Just curious if anyone who works outside the home has found this doable?  I am gone for 48 hours per week--usually 2 24 hour shifts though, so I'm almost always home at least 4 full days.  Would you just skip the days you were gone or add those chores onto other days?  I think if I were home everyday it would be much easier to get into a routine...

Jessi

[mags.bubble]

Originally Posted by jgale 

Just curious if anyone who works outside the home has found this doable?  I am gone for 48 hours per week--usually 2 24 hour shifts though, so I'm almost always home at least 4 full days.  Would you just skip the days you were gone or add those chores onto other days?  I think if I were home everyday it would be much easier to get into a routine...

Jessi

I think it is doable, but I personally would just cross off the days of the chores your are working your shift rather than adding them to the days you are home. Especially if the 2 shifts you do rotate, then eventually everything would get done. If you see something not getting done, you can always add it, but why not start slow, right?
 

[juliasmum]

Originally Posted by jgale 

Just curious if anyone who works outside the home has found this doable?  I am gone for 48 hours per week--usually 2 24 hour shifts though, so I'm almost always home at least 4 full days.  Would you just skip the days you were gone or add those chores onto other days?  I think if I were home everyday it would be much easier to get into a routine...

Jessi

I find that I tend to sort of clump the days together.  Some of our days are just too busy to come home and do the things on the list.  I always do the bathrooms on Sunday night instead of Monday just to get a head start on the week.  And a lot of times I play catch up on Friday/Saturday.

But even if we don't get everything done on the list then it is ok.  It just really helps me prioritize what needs to be done each week. 

[mamadonna]

Originally Posted by jgale 

Just curious if anyone who works outside the home has found this doable?  I am gone for 48 hours per week--usually 2 24 hour shifts though, so I'm almost always home at least 4 full days.  Would you just skip the days you were gone or add those chores onto other days?  I think if I were home everyday it would be much easier to get into a routine...

Jessi

I WOH and I really like it.  I'm a teacher, so when I'm on a break, I'm really on top of things, but when school's in session not so much.  Sometimes if I have a really busy day, I'll try to catch up on tasks from a previous day if I have time, but if by the end of the week when I print my new list they're not done, I forget them.  Even when I am really busy and can't do everything, though, I really like having the list up on my fridge.  I like being able to check things off and feel like I'm doing *something*, even if it's something small.  I also like that fact that with the list I stay reminded of tasks, even if I don't get them done every week.  I find that I don't have as many of those moments where I go omg, I haven't mopped my kitchen floor in MONTHS!  Or, shoot, when's the last time I actually changed the kids' sheets...things like that.

[landgyrl]

I love the MM lists and of course all the things I put off (cleaning light fixtures for one) are finally getting done. BUT! Am I obsessed with the list and neglecting my boy? EEKS. Anybody else feel this way?

[maddymama]

Originally Posted by landgyrl 

I love the MM lists and of course all the things I put off (cleaning light fixtures for one) are finally getting done. BUT! Am I obsessed with the list and neglecting my boy? EEKS. Anybody else feel this way?

How long have you been doing MM?  Are you "white knuckling" it?  I did the list perfectly for the first few weeks, but then backed off and did the majority of the list the majority of the time once I got in the rhythm of MM.  I think I also try to include my kiddos in completing the list whenever possible (help load the laundry, wash the windows, dust, wipe off the kitchen table, pick up clutter, etc.).   I *really* need to put them to work cleaning our shower, bc that is the one main area that I'm having trouble staying on top  of.

~maddymama
 

[crunchy_mama]

I try to get my tasks done by 9am(homeschool time) aside from supper.  Then I drop things and we do our school and have time together.  I think it helps me to focus intensely on what I need to do then I can then have time w/ the kids and it actually frees me up because then I don't feel divided trying to do things and pay attention to them at the same time.

[aquamam]

I'd like to try it out this year to see if it works for us (thanks for the code PP!).

For those of you who have used the system before, what layout would you recommend? I plan on keeping it in a binder on the kitchen counter.

[landgyrl]

Originally Posted by maddymama 

Originally Posted by landgyrl 

I love the MM lists and of course all the things I put off (cleaning light fixtures for one) are finally getting done. BUT! Am I obsessed with the list and neglecting my boy? EEKS. Anybody else feel this way?

How long have you been doing MM?  Are you "white knuckling" it?  I did the list perfectly for the first few weeks, but then backed off and did the majority of the list the majority of the time once I got in the rhythm of MM.  I think I also try to include my kiddos in completing the list whenever possible (help load the laundry, wash the windows, dust, wipe off the kitchen table, pick up clutter, etc.).   I *really* need to put them to work cleaning our shower, bc that is the one main area that I'm having trouble staying on top  of.

~maddymama
 

I've only been doing MM for 3 weeks...what is 'white knuckling'? I am not trying to get everything done or I'd lose my mind. My DS (2yo) already helps with laundry, washing, wiping, he's a bit of a clean-a-holic to be honest. Perhaps I need to just get into the rhythm and make more freezer batches for food 'cause I try to make most things from scratch and that is super time-consuming.  It's just those extra things I never get to (like the light fixtures) suddenly feel like I'm cleaning all the time...
 

[crunchy_mama]

I cook from scratch as well, it is a necessity w/ cooking gluten/dairy/soy and mostly grain free.  I multi-task a lot, put on the eggs for breakfast and run and start a load of clothes, or unload the dishes while something is cooking.  I use the crockpot for supper and that is a time that the kids can be involved as well, it doesn't have to be kid time or task time.  Lunch is often quick things- maybe leftovers or some soup or tuna/egg salad.  

[maddymama]

white knuckling is when you have to do it all and be perfect and have such a tight grip on it that it consumes your life.  Think of some diets that people are on food wise for losing weight that they individual "CAN NOT CHEAT ON" or else they loose it.  That's an example of white knuckling it. If you can leave a task or two and feel good about yourself then you probably aren't white knuckling it. 

BTW, I don't clean the light fixtures.  Eventually I will, but right now I do the best I can with most tasks daily... I average between 75% and 100% of completing the tasks daily.  It also gets easier to get into a routine the more you do it.

~maddymama