I suck at multitasking

[Sylith]

Yeah, so multitasking seems like a key SAHM skill, and I haven't mastered it at all. I'm not that great at housework under even the best of circumstances, but I feel like I ought to be able to get at least a little bit more done during the day.

The part that frustrates me the most is the interruption of any task I begin. Say I'm trying to wash the dishes... I'll get the water and soap going, pick up a plate and dishrag... then have to put it back down and get my son a snack. Back to the dishes... I wash one plate and half of another.... now he wants a drink. I take care of that, maybe get a few glasses washed. Now he's wanting to "help" with dishes... I move his stool over near the sink. We now commence long, elaborate negotiations about sharing the running faucet, whether or not DS is allowed to wash breakables, whether he can put still dirty and soapy dishes into the dish drain, blahblahblah. It all comes to a thrilling conclusion when he contrives to dump a huge bowlfull of dishwater onto the floor. I turn off the sink and go get some towels. At this point, I'm not likely to get back to the dishes... oh well, at least we got the kitchen floor a little cleaner...

I know a dozen people are reading this and nodding their heads. I *know* it goes that way for other people, so why the heck is it that they manage to get their dishes done by the end of the day, and mine are all still piled in the sink?

[bwylde]

nak...I've learned to let things go. If I have a sink of dishes, it's not a big deal until we are totally out, then I wash what we need and get the rest done when I can. IMO, kids come first then the house. I do what I can but it's more important that the kids get what they need.

[CerridwenLorelei]

not sure how old your ds is but

could you fill him a sippy/ drinking bottle of water and just keep it filled to help you where you don't have to stop?
and maybe wait until evening if its not too big a mess to just do all your dishes at once?
we *try* to do them as I cook in the evening but mine are older :LOL
you mt just fine by cleaning the floor with the dishwater *g*

[Leilalu]

I used to be(smetimes still am: ) TERRIBLE at dishes. BUt now, I find if I wash a few that we use after each meal or snack it reallllly helps.I feed the kids, and while they are finishing up-I have SLOW eaters:LOL -I start quickly washing. By the time I wash them up, set them to play, I grab their dishes. In a few min, I am totally doneI find I multitask better if I take things in samall doses of time. Like, I will sit and knit or work on a project when they are asleep or playing, but I try to make myself get up afte ra while and do somethingelse that needs working on for a little bit. It really helps me to "tackle" certain things I start to dread having to do.

I also find I multitask better if I keep things somewehat clean or under control. Not toys- those get put away ONCE at night, but things like th efloor, the dishes, eetc. HTH It can be hard. I am finally getting the hang of multitasking and keeping th ehouse under control.After 2 kids and 6 years of mariage.

[QueenMommy]

I too, have had days like that. Not all days, thankfully! Generally what I do is make sure the kids are set up with something they want to do, set the timer for 15 minutes, and go at it! When the timer dings, I do something with the kids for a bit,then set it again. Helps to get some things done anyway!

[Caroline248]

Originally Posted by QueenMommy

I too, have had days like that. Not all days, thankfully! Generally what I do is make sure the kids are set up with something they want to do, set the timer for 15 minutes, and go at it! When the timer dings, I do something with the kids for a bit,then set it again. Helps to get some things done anyway!

I completly second the timer idea. It has been a lifesaver for me. It also can tell the kids when they can come and ask for something. I tell them I am setting the timer, ask if they need anything, then go. They are learning they need to wait that 15 minutes now, and it is really helping. I agree the kids should come first, but they have the chance to ask for whatever it is they may neeed, and they really will live if they have to wait ten minutes for a drink.

I have even stated using the timer for them....we use it to share toys, do chores around the house together...I love the timer!!!

~C~

[mamarhu]

I play dumb games with myself: how many dishes can I wash before the water for tea boils?, can I clean the kitchen before the washer cycle is over? But I am truly lousy at housekeeping, and would do almost anything to avoid it.

[thoesly]

Originally Posted by mamarhu

I play dumb games with myself: how many dishes can I wash before the water for tea boils?, can I clean the kitchen before the washer cycle is over?

I don't think these games are dumb at all. I think they are an excellent strategy for getting a little bit done at a time. Once I let go of the idea that I had to do everything in one day, I started doing better at housework. So, now I clean the upstairs bathroom during the kids' bathtime. I clean the kitchen counter while the tea water boils. If I have a stack of dishes, I see how many I can get done before snack time is over. The list goes on and on. It's not a matter of multitasking as much as it's a matter of making use of little increments of "found" time -- and also changing my mindset from getting irritated with interruptions to viewing interruptions as the "timer" that says I can stop doing a chore for awhile.

[Sylith]

Cool, the replies make me feel better and have some good things to try.

It's funny how many things are all about perspective, isn't it?

[abac]

I play the dumb games too. Regardless, about 4 days a week the dishes are piled up at the end of the day and I leave 'em there and go to bed. If I know someone's coming over, I try to do them. I do alot of cleaning on weekends when dh is home, (and he actually helps ALOT!) Laundry gets put in the washer then has to be washed again the next day because I forgot to put it in the dryer and now it's musty smelling. I honestly can't remember the last time I washed my floors- I'm guessing about 2 or 3 months ago. Who knows?
You're not alone.

[provocativa]

Sounds like dc needs a snack tray, too. In the am dice up a variety of healthy foods and put it in a dollar store muffin tin or other divided tray (I use a bungee cord to keep ours on the table)- dr sears advice- oh and she has an h2o glass in every room. Parallel play is the only way I can get anything done, too.

[onlyzombiecat]

My dd is 5 and it is easier now to get things done than when she was 3.

I have cut our amount of dishes we own- we have 4 plates, 4 glasses, 4 cups, etc.
I always wash plates, silverware and glasses first. Pots and pans might need to soak anyway for a bit.
I wash 2 or three times a day- I may not get it all done at one time but the times are much shorter- no more than 15 to 20 minutes usually.
I ask my dd before I start if she needs anything and get her set up. If she asks for something while I am washing then I tell her to wait until I am done. I think it teaches her to think ahead a bit. Sometimes dd wants to help and that makes things take longer. I try to have her do something like put the dishes in the drainer while I wash- just so we aren't doing the same task in the same space at the same time. Sometimes I tell her she can't help right now but maybe later- a timer might be useful for that.

When I mop I mop quickly first then let my dd go at it until she is tired of it, then I go over it again to get the excess water up and get any missed spots.


I will time myself. How long does it take me to vacuum? How many rooms can I do in x amount of time.

I don't really set out to do more than a few things a day. If something doesn't get done it will be there tomorrow or maybe dh will help.

I think just clearly designating areas helped cut down on mess in our house. There is a designated area for toys- most in the basement or some in dd's room. We set up a nice sized play area in the basement. Bubbles, play doh and art supplies are used in the basement or outside. There is a designated area for eating- food & drink stays in the kitchen (on the linolium floor). I don't stress if a few toys or books end up in the living room at the end of the day. Reducing some of our stuff and having a place for items to be put away helped.

[annarosa]

hmmm - well I think over the last 3 years I've let go of a lot of domestic 'rubbish' so now lots of things get left - and you know what - nothing terrible happens in fact that is one of the great things about having a closet full of clothes and a stack of plates - there are still more to use even when there are loads to wash ........

[PadmaMorgana]

Thank dog I have a dishwasher

I try to break things up. Fill sink with pots and pans. Fill with hot hot water and soap. Wash later after they have soaked

So basically I do little tasks all day long in between feeding/watering/changing/entertaining the kids and surfing MDC.

And then there are days like today. Because of the time change, DS was up before 5am (and his birthday was yesterday, so he wanted to play with the new toys), DD was up at 6am. They are now both napping, but I am too tired to care about the laundry. It ain't going anywhere I'll do it later and we can have leftovers/PB&H for dinner. Luckily DS will eat PB&H 3 times a day, DD will eat anything and DH knows better than to complain.