What do your kids do while you... - Page 2

[alie]

most days, I try to keep up as much as I can, but some days I let it go. When I want to do the down and dirty 3 hour cleaning, dad takes the kids and I go to it. That's so fun these days!!! Who woulda thought.

[LailaCA]

I usually put the baby in the bouncer or swing while I am in the kitchen or family room cleaning. He loves it when I vacuum or clean the floors. When I cook then he is on the bouncer on a kitchen island. Then I hustle hustle hustle. If dh is home then I ask him (when he wishes) to hold him or play with him. Otherwise I hustle. THen I do chores when he naps in the am. In the afternoon I try to take a nap when he does, so to recharge my batteries. In the early eve when he naps again, then again I hustle around and try to get some stuff done.

At this minute, he is napping (I should be) and I am finally taking some time to do something enjoyable for me. Mothering.com.

I usually go to bed within an hour of him and he goes around 900pm.

[Cathi]

He helps!

~Laundry: he has his own basket, takes clothes from the clean ones, dumps them in and out, etc.

~Vacuuming: he gets an extension and a little attachment bag. Takes attachments out, tries them on, etc. Pretends to vacuum the walls, couch, etc. Or, he just runs around screaming happily to burn off steam and be noisy. I don't mind, it's not like I can hear it!

~Bathrooms: I do reserve this activity for after bathtime when dh is dressing him, reading books, etc.

~Dusting/wiping, etc: He gets a spray bottle of water and a towel.

~Sweeping/mopping: Same, thing, he has his own stuff and just does what I do!

[Magical_Mama]

Mostly crafts

My girls (3 and 4.5) usually do crafts at the table while I clean. I don't do a whole lot of it in big chunks, and that way we can all talk and be together while I'm doing it.

They also help. They know our motto is "You have to clean up one mess before you make another" so they'll run around putting stuff away to get out the next mess.

I wrote up some stuff that works for us here, too: http://www.magicalchildhood.com/articles/tornado.htm

Some of the ideas would have June Cleaver doing shots though.

[shanetedissac]

I do let them help me if they want. Like I let my 4yo wipe the counter with the damp cloth and I will dry it. My 2yo will wipe the floor a little. I also try to get them to tidy up before we do something together. I know that it takes more time this way but in a while they will know what to do and how to do it and I will not have to teach them. Other than that we have a housekeeper that we have come in once a week and cleans, makes the beds and picks everything up. Very nice. We could use the $65 for other things (like paying for this HB) but the piece if mind a clean house gives (if just for a few hours) if just not something I can give up right now.

Take care-

[levar]

I have tried and read a few things over the last 4 years. My husband is horrible [horrible] about housekeeping. Better than his parents though?!?! I first read "Clearing Your Clutter" and later "Confessions of a Happily Organized Homemaker" and the companion book "Confessions of a Happily Organized Family." Also when I was in the deapest of dispair [and no time to read !!] someone hooked me on http://www.flylady.org and I was SOLD! I have used a combo of ideas from these sources [and friends] over time to help keep me sane when it comes to kids and husbands and cats and dogs and dust bunnies -- all of which hold a dear place in my heart.

Major ideas we use are the "Clean Sink" from FlyLady and "Single Minded Motion" from Confessions. [Clutter one was mostly motivational for me FYI] And I have a calendar of things to do and if some thing is on another day it STAYS there. This helps me see my "Free Time" easier.

Taylor is very helpful and loves to cook, do dishes, sweep or vacum, and put away laundry. But only when he feels in the mood. Otherwise I get things done in 5-10 min batches while we play etc. Often things "sit" undone for a good long while tho.
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[intymama]

When I try to put away things my ds who is 16 months old usually, if he's not busy playing, starts to make messes in the room where I am. So usually I wait until he takes a nap (although I should be resting too but I also have a 5 year old) And the vacum and pick up a little.
If I have to do something major, I usually hired a "mommy's helper," a teenager that can play with the kids while I clean the bathrooms for example.
If I have to dust, my 5 year old and I pretend that we are "Cinderellas." We pretend that the mean stepmother is making us dust and call each other Cinderella. I give her a piece of cloth without cleaning solution and we dust happily. It's one of her favorite games

Jula

[mojomom]

I do most of my cleaning at night when kids are in bed. Or I vaccuum while dh is giving kids a bath at night. I take care of my dishes and kithcen counters while my ds is eating his breakfast, his dishes are the last to get loasded in the dish washer. Also my favorite thing to use while washing my floors in the kitchen or folding my laundry is playdough. Playdough is a lifesaver around here. I let my kids use playdough and it keeps them busy while I sweep the kitchen or even cook dinner. They are at the kitchen table and I can see them and still ineteract with them and get some things done.Just a couple things that helps me keep the house organized.