AIBU to think it's just not possible to get housework done with a toddler?

[DarlingCoffee]

I should probably add that I'm 35 weeks pregnant so interested also to know how/if people manage it with two!

I know everybody says 'just leave it' but I really can not stand a messy, filthy house so how do you do it if you do indeed manage it?!

All tips gratefully received

I have a just turned two year old and a 6 month old. I clean on a Thursday and it's a planned event! I essentially run around like a blue arsed fly all day but it almost all gets done. On a Friday ds goes to pre school for 3 hours so i do ironing and vac the stairs (stuff I find really hard to do with ds here). Things have got much easier since dd started to nap somewhere other than me and ds started preschool. I also keep on top of it generally- don't let washing build up in the baskets etc and the house is organised, lots of storage and everything with a place. On cleaning days C Beebies is on a lot but it does mean that by the weekend the house is clean, washing and ironing done and some batch cooking is done so we can do more fun things.

I would love a cleaner.

Dd (2) loves to help. We do a big tidy up (chucking everything in toy boxes) while singing the tidy up song, then I get the Hoover out and we take turns hoovering. We clean the kitchen floor with cloths together (only using washing up liquid, nothing toxic). She wipes things with baby wipes. She helps load the washing machine and tumble drier. If it's something she can't help with, I set her up with an activity near me and chat to her while I get it done, showing plenty of interest in what she is doing. I clean the bathroom while she is in the bath. I chuck her in the bed while I change the sheets and play 'find the toddler'. If I'm clearing out a cupboard, I find her a box of bits to look through. she likes handbags, shoes, things like that.

Thank you to everyone for all the comments and general support. After a pretty hellish morning they have cheered me up no end and made me realise I'm not alone in my struggle! Going off to investigate robot vacuum cleaners now and toddler suitable cleaning kits

Whilst you are investigating robot vacuum cleaners can you see if there is similar for a bathroom sink? my lovely ds 16, despite amazing other aspects of his personality, still hasn't worked out how to clean his whiskers from the bathroom sink after he has shaved!

We got a cleaner when I was pregnant, moved to a bigger place and had a toddler. She is still here... Nearly 2 years on (we let her go home and everything I mean she comes every week). I do basics and laundry in between and toddler clears up her toys and 'helps' with the laundry and the dishwasher.

But mostly I have just accepted things aren't quite as I would like them...

I think it's down to priorities to be honest, the housework wasn't mine when I had tiny children. it was my hair and make up It was spending time with them, the house could wait until we started going bonkers due to the chaos.

If it's important you'll get it done and if it's not you won't. Right now keeping sane is probably a higher priority X

Mine don't watch tv either but I'm not claiming to be deep cleaning the house ever everyday. I think the standards of housework and what counts as done change a you have more kids and / or less.time.

We have a cleaner one a week. After she has been we try to stay out of the house for most of the rest of the day so it stays nice for one day at least.

In theory I would wipe down the bathrooms whilst dcs are having their bath. I have a dyson cordless Hoover which really helps clearing up the endless crumbs. I do the dishwasher whilst the dcs are eating. I try to break things down into 5 minute jobs that I can do when there is a quiet moment. I have recently started to designate roughly three times a day after meals when I'll have tidying bursts - I used to just leave it all day but found it too stressful in the evening when the place was a tip.
I found things so much easier once the baby was born, after the initial couple of weeks. In the living room I have loads of boxes that toys can get thrown into in the evening. My standards are definitely lower now but it feels more achievable now I've accepted that I can't live in a show home.

I work 4 days a week and when home do get mine to 'help' as much as I can and entertain them with tv for a while too. I hate mess and dirt though so cannot relax if the house is dirty and messy, I wish I could. I finish off when they are in bed though to keep weekends free!

My house is in a better state now I've gone back to full time work. Less breakfasts, no lunches, so the kitchen is more manageable. DH is participating better because our working hours have similar demands. Much better than being part time with two preschoolers at home!