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Original poster

Housework and 1 year old

91 replies

cheekypickle · 10/08/2012 12:25

Is it me or is it jut impossible unless their asleep? I know DH will come home today and ask what I have done and it won't be very much.

Took DD to a group for 45 mins this morning and a group this afternoon for an hour. Other than that been at home the whole time

OP posts:
Bonsoir · 10/08/2012 12:25

Practically impossible. Get a cleaner.

lindsell · 10/08/2012 12:31

Definitely get a cleaner! Mine's on holiday at the moment and trying to clean with a toddler & 3mo reminds me why it's such a good investment Grin

If that's not feasible then yes while they nap do a bit or involve them in 'helping' you - eg when cleaning the kitchen give them some pots and pans to play with, when sorting out laundry they can help put clothes in/out of the basket - yes it takes a LOT longer but means you can get it done (and teach them useful skills to help you properly when they're older Grin)

squeakytoy · 10/08/2012 13:12

Oh for gods sakes, of course it isnt impossible. Millions of other mothers have managed, without a cleaner!

Get a playpen, shove some toys in it, put child in it, and get on with stuff.

Anyway OP, I thought you had got a cleaner?

MiggleMoo · 10/08/2012 13:22

Not impossible just can't get things done as quickly thats all. My 18mth old now follows me around when cleaning copying whatever I do i.e. dusting, vacuuming - would be great if this lasts beyond toddler years! ;-)

Crosstraineraddict · 10/08/2012 13:28

I find it really difficult to get things done, and my youngest is 3! He is quite demanding though and makes mess quicker than I can tidy!

I agree, if you can afford it, get a cleaner.

CailinDana · 10/08/2012 13:29

When your DH asks what you have done why don't you say "I looked after our daughter." Surely that's good enough for him? My DH might ask out if interest what we did during the day but never to make me feel guilty or imply that I haven't done enough housework. That would be incredibly rude.

As for housework - what is there to do? Clean up after meals, hang out the washing, what else? I couldn't possibly find enough housework to fill the day. Ok my house isn't pristine but it's fine. I don't see the point in having it tidy at 12 only for it to be a mess at 12:30 - might as well leave it a mess all day then fling the toys in a box in the evening when DS is gone to bed and give a quick hoover if needed. Sheets get changed once a week, towels thrown in with the washing, bits and bobs of cleaning are done at the weekend.

What else is there to do?

MrsKeithRichards · 10/08/2012 13:35

Other than that? That's fucking loads!

Tell dh to fuck off with those comments.

NatashaBee · 10/08/2012 13:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsKeithRichards · 10/08/2012 13:37

That aside, it isn't impossible and really there's not much to do. 15 minutes gets my kitchen and living soon presentable. Washing clothes... Well I do a load a day. Come downstairs with it, chuck it in machine, chuck it on the line then chuck it in the drawers. Don't waste time ironing!

MrMagnusDoodle · 10/08/2012 13:41

It is possible, I managed it with a 1 yr old and then after my second I did the cleaning with a 1 yr old and a 2 yr old.

I kept a travel cot under my bed, pulled ot out once a week for a blitz on the house. Put it up in the lounge, fill with toys, tv on if you want or cd of nursery rhymes. Then clean. I learned to clean quick!

Schedule it into the week, so Mon morning change bed sheets, Thurs morn clean. They soon get used to some time in the cot whilst you pootle about.

lastnerve · 10/08/2012 13:42

I had huge problems with this , I am no born housewife and getting myself organized on no sleep was very hard .

I would advise to get you started,

get a whiteboard memo , write what things you need to do that day and when you have done them you will feel better have 'got something done'

My son was very very,hyperactive I sometimes would have to strap him in his pushchair in front of his favourite show, If I had something tricky to do or just getting dressed a quick shower etc.

and be confident in your own rules/ timetable don't let other people dictate how you do things.

WorraLiberty · 10/08/2012 13:49

Just take the child from room to room and lower your housework standards Grin

But in your case OP, I'd put the baby in your bedroom when your DH is having one of his 4 or 5hr 'naps' at the weekend and get on with the housework then.

What happened to your cleaner anyway?

DizzyKipper · 10/08/2012 13:50

Today's the first day I can say I've gotten most of the house in a reasonable condition: DH was looking after DD this morning whilst I did bits for an hour before taking him to work, we did this yesterday too hence a very tidy house. I've only got the bathroom to clean and upstairs to give a hoover and a tidy, and I've all weekend to accomplish that. I'm actually starting to wonder if my life will become really dull if I never have anything left to tidy during the day. DD is 7 weeks btw so I'm not sure if that makes it easier or harder than housework with a 1yo.

Icelollycraving · 10/08/2012 13:52

I find it more challenging but not impossible.

Sirzy · 10/08/2012 13:54

Of course it's possible you just need to be organised and plan what you can realistically do

catgirl2012 · 10/08/2012 13:57
  1. Cleaner
  1. Play pen and toys
  1. Baby Bouncer
  1. High chair and cutted up pear and / or toys
  1. Nap time

(2 - 4 within your sight of course.)

Use some or all of these and it is more than doable!

CailinDana · 10/08/2012 14:05

You've forgotten hidden option No.6 catgirl - don't bother with it! Seriously the house won't fall to bits if it's a bit messy. There are some jobs that need doing pretty regularly - washing and keeping the kitchen clean are two of them, but other than that jobs can be put on the very very long finger.

forevergreek · 10/08/2012 14:06

Just let them help for majority ( like let them play in washing basket whilst you fold clothes, or play with wooden spoon and pans whilst you cook)

The only thing I try and do whilst they sleep is bathroom/ kitchen cleaning as I use bleach

I don't iron

catgirl2012 · 10/08/2012 14:06

I like option 6 :)

attheendoftheday · 10/08/2012 17:16

Get the 1 year old to help? It's slow but works for me. I give dd a wetwipe to wipe around when cleaning, or the peg basket to hold when hanging out the washing. When cooking I just feed her bits and pieces or give her stuff to stir. Lots of praise, and resort to singing songs if she gets fractious.

DuelingFanjo · 10/08/2012 17:21

when men ask 'what have you done all day?' do they really mean 'what have you done ALL DAY?'

how rude.

Why not just say 'well, I got up and I changed and fed the baby and then we had some fun with his toys and then I took him out for a lovely walk in the sunshine and we had a really good laugh and then I made him some food and then I got him off to sleep and then I had something to eat myself and I put a load of washing on before having a little nap myself and then he woke up so we played some more and then I changed his clothes because he was a bit mucky and then I played a bit more and he said 'baby' and so we looked at some books with babies in them and then he had a bit of a grizzle so I took him outside to find some cats and then I changed his nappy and then you came home... what's for dinner?'

StrawberrytallCAKE · 10/08/2012 17:22

I agree with Cailin at 1yr old I was still napping when the baby naps!

Meglet · 10/08/2012 17:24

Impossible unless their asleep IME. And I had a playpen, but that was for toilet trips and cooking, I wasn't going to leave them in there all day.

Latara · 10/08/2012 17:46

Get. A. Playpen.

Latara · 10/08/2012 17:46

Yes, you can leave them in it for quite a while - it won't do any harm.