not to clean the house before MIL's visit this afternoon?

[angeloftheeast]

MIL is coming about 3.30 although will prob be earlier as she has a habit of turning up up to an hour earlier than time. Only found out she was coming yesterday from Dh who is asleep from a nightshift at mo. He will be up in time for her visit but working again tonight. He will help with housework but even with two of us doing it it still looks a mess. I am a SAHM and have 2 DS's - 3 and 1 years old who run me ragged and I hardly get any cleaning done during the day at the best of times. Would IBU just to tidy a few things up and wipe surfaces etc? the house is skank but I am just too knackered to do anything else. I ideally like to have a clean tidy (ish) house when guests (especially her for some reason!) come round but think I have to admit defeat this time. Guess I'm scared she'll judge me or something although don't know why it bothers me as she's very laissez-faire when it comes to her own house. I know, I'm worrying over nothing aren't I?

You are worrying over nothing. I would ask her to mind the Dcs during her visit and do any essential cleaning then. I fail to see how anyone can get much housework done with a 1 year old and a 3 year old but the stepfords may be along in a minute to disagree.

I want to say yes you are worrying over nothing but I am the same so I know totally where you coming from but she will not notice the house I promise.

Clean your house!!!!!
Shut the doors on rooms she wont be going in, give a quick hoover, bleach your sides and neaten the pillows on the sofa!
Theres no point tidying toys as the kids will only get them back out again but, its not too much to ask to do your washing up and wipe around is it?
Do you not do a daily tidy up anyway? That question is not meant in a rude way, just thought most people did?

To late to advise, so how did it go? Has she gone yet? Did you clean anything?

Franki - I always do a daily tidy up but usually after the kids go to bed not in the middle of the day, I seem to find it really difficult to go beyond the bare minimum cleaning wise and really could do with a cleaner to do a proper 'deep clean'.

NoOnes - I cleaned the kitchen surfaces, loo in main bathroom and loaded the dishwasher. I thought that was a fair compromise

I also made a shepherds pie while she played with the kids and talked to DH. I really know how to live!