so if you don't someone for not baking birthday cakes, do you judge someone whos house is a bit dirty?

[carriedababi]

by a bit dirty i mean, doors not looking that clean, haven't been hoovered for a couple of days and crumbs on the floor

smears over the patio doors

bit untidy

that type of things

this is my house btw

What do au pairs do?
Genuine question.

I do judge a bit if I've been invited over, because I always run around shoving things in cupboards-- tidying up before guests come. If it's a drop-in kind of thing, well, you never know what kind of a day the person may be having.

I do vacuum a lot though, both because I just got a new vacuum and it's fabulous and novelty at this point :), and also because I've got a golden retriever and would be swallowed up by dog hair in a day or two.

er, be my Guru, 'course

carrie my mum just says I should care but I just tell her the rain cleans them and I don't spend all day looking out of them
laweasel I tidy and clean...even the skirting boards...then within minutes of doing it I have an amazing ability to create mess and so does my DS. However, my friends always comment on how tidy my house is....maybe I have a lower threshold for mess and just think it is messy when it isn't. I am good and creating piles though!

lequeen i thought the morning nap was the time you were supposed to drink tea and watch JK.....have I got this wrong..should I be cleaning instead....

Even when I spend a whole day cleaning the house, it still looks dirty, I don't think my house will ever look clean!

Bit dirty, no judging.

Utterly filthy, not seen a proper clean in a very long time, I totally judge. When we were househunting, we were utterly appalled at the state some peoples houses were in.

I have secret pride that my house cna't be that bad though, because a friend whose house is absolutely spotless had a moan to me about mutual friend's house not being clean/tidy compared to her and I's standards!

I agree about big cleans before guests though. I'm always suprised about people that don't. (Although try not to judge, since I know I am not remotely perfect)

No, but I do worry about the children of people with immaculately clean and tidy houses.

Our kitchen floor always looks filthy (well for a bout 5 mins it might look clean) despite mopping every day thanks to the dog.

The windows are not cleaned very often but you can see out of them.

If people are bothered then they don't have to come round.

Why would you worry bibbity?

They could have a cleaner come in most days as we do. Or they could just be organised.

Even before we could play for a cleaner we were both quite capable of getting up an hour early to clean the house. Children do not need attention 24 hours of the day, infact that would be quite unhealthy.

The thing is, how do you know when you go over for pre arranged visit, they haven't had a big tidy up in your honour? It might have been much worse before!

Really? Children do not need attention for 24 hours every day? Golly, you learn something new every day.

My house is usually a tip. It's not been hoovered for a while as I have tennis elbow in both arms and it's a rather painful job to do. The teenager is going to do it for me tomorrow. It's a case of too much stuff, too many bodies and the house not being quite big enough.

Bibbity why are you worried about my children?

Sorry - I'm not going to wish I had cleaned or dusted more when I am on my deathbed.

I would rather recharge my batteries/rest/do something for myself when I have free time. My standards are pretty low - as long as things are fairly hygenic and there's some floor space for DS to play I'm happy. I do like cooking though so spend a bit of time doing that.

I am not interested in judging people who have different standards of housekeeping than me, I don't care.

I do resent the idea that because my house is clean my children are neglected, my life is dull or I am heading for a breakdown.

If you enjoy cleaning or feel happier when your house is clean to the extent that you would rather do this than something for you, knock yourselves out. I would never judge anyone for having a clean house or imply your kids are neglected!

However I do feel a little bit sad for people who clean because they feel they have to have a tidy house or their dh/neighbours/random friend will judge them. I use the phrase "take us as you find us" often. For me, life is too short to worry about a bit of dust/clutter. But then it doesn't bother me. When it gets to the stage it bothers me, I do something about it. (Not much, but something!)