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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what people mean when they say ‘leave the housework’…

82 replies

Rainbowsponge · 08/07/2024 16:46

… in the context of managing a new baby, or having small children in general.

Which tasks are supposed to be neglected/low proirity?

OP posts:
WhatNoRaisins · 08/07/2024 16:52

I think this sort of advice is all well and good for a few difficult or stressful days at a time. Not so much for longer than that. I mean most of us aren't doing housework for fun, if you can go weeks or months without doing something then why do it more frequently?

Original poster
Rainbowsponge · 08/07/2024 16:51

masomenos · 08/07/2024 16:48

All you need is to be hygienic: bathing and cooking areas spotless, baby‘s sheet and clothes and burp cloths clean, bins emptied on schedule.

Instead of changing your sheet and towels once a week, do it when you have time. Let the washing pile up if needed. No gardening or unnecessary diy.

I have to admit to being a bit bemused because I didn’t count painting, DIY, gardening etc as ‘housework’ anyway. We basically never do things like that!

OP posts:
PinotDragon · 08/07/2024 16:51

Have clean:
Something to sleep in/on
Something to eat/drink from
Something to wear
Somewhere to clean yourself
The rest will fall into place as baby gets older.

Or get a sling and house work with baby riding around in it.
This is for a newborn right?

Original poster
Rainbowsponge · 08/07/2024 16:50

RedHelenB · 08/07/2024 16:47

Anything that doesn't involve hygiene

But it all involves hygiene doesn’t it? Clean kitchen and bathroom, clean clothes, clean/hoovered floors for a crawling baby

OP posts:
Talipesmum · 08/07/2024 16:49

Ironing, frequency of hoovering / mopping, more infrequent tasks like cleaning windows, washing clothes after one wear (unless you’ve got something on them), touching up paintwork, dusting in areas you can’t see…

masomenos · 08/07/2024 16:48

All you need is to be hygienic: bathing and cooking areas spotless, baby‘s sheet and clothes and burp cloths clean, bins emptied on schedule.

Instead of changing your sheet and towels once a week, do it when you have time. Let the washing pile up if needed. No gardening or unnecessary diy.

RedHelenB · 08/07/2024 16:47

Anything that doesn't involve hygiene