Is there a magic answer? How do you do housework with toddlers underfoot?

[tortoiseonthehalfshell]

I'm one of those really odd people who likes housework. I had a personal day Friday and my daughter was in daycare, and I did 5 straight hours of cleaning. Twas blissful.

But most of the time I read threads about how much all of you do and I feel really inadequate, because I just don't know how to get that much done when my toddler (20 months) is awake, and there's only so much I can do after she's in bed. It's not that she's messy, it's just that she requires all of my attention all of the time. I try and involve her - she is getting good at helping me unload the dishwasher, groceries, pull sheets off the bed, etc - but it means everything takes 3-4 times as long, and it takes a whole day to just get the house a little bit tidier than it started. And I can't scrub toilets or anything when she's around.

So, if you have little children, will you come and tell me how you manage to keep your house clean?

I don't. I do little bits like loading the washing machine / trying to sort out lunch / dinner. Even phone calls are tricky.

My 2 are into everything so I daren't leave the room or do something that means I can't hear them (like getting the Dyson out).

They're napping at the moment so I'll have lunch and a tidy, then it all starts up again.

I just do it when DS is around (he's just 2). He has a little broom and a little dustpan, and a push along roller thing which he calls his 'hoover'. It does take longer, but he thinks it's fun and it means that when he naps I get to do things for myself like exercise or have a nap (am 7 weeks pg and knackered!) - or the things I can't do when he's around like admin and phonecalls etc.

Well this is what I do, mostly, too. But then I read all these people who do so much more housework than me, and I think oh well bet theirs are schoolage, and then they drop into the conversation "Dc7 who is 8 months" or whatever and I feel so inadequate.

She often naps in the car/stroller when we're out, so I don't have a reliable chunk of time in the middle of the day, either.

I really struggle to get any cleaning done. My DD (2.3) wants to help with sweeping, but really she just spreads any dust around the room some more or waves the broom around at head height. She is terrified of the vacuum cleaner (hates the noise). She will help me change sheets and load and unload the washing machine. She also likes to help with the washing up - she kneels on a stool and rinses anything unbreakable for me.

I work full time so DD is in nursery each day. So I try to get home for 15 minutes before I collect her from nursery and choose a couple of rooms to vacuum. I do all other cleaning after she is asleep in the evening.

My DD is 2.4 and she loves to help me do the housework. She puts the washing into the machine for me and has her own hoover, if I'm polishing she has a spare duster etc and
I seem to get on ok. Cleaning toilets I do when shes around, I ask her to sit on the floor and she does puzzles while I'm busy. She doesn't have a daytime nap anymore so shes always about to hinder help :o

I give the kids (5yr, 2yr) a duster and they 'help' while i hoover etc. Kids help with dishwasher, washing machine etc

I clean the majority of the bathroom while they are in the bath, then do the bath when they are out and in bed.

I try to do little and often rather than a big blitz. eg sundays do our en-suite after i;ve been in and dh is with kids, mondays when dd at school, me and DS1 hoover etc. Sweep kitchen floor every other day after dinner...

Most difficult thing is mopping floors - plonk them in front of louge tv and tell them to keep out!!

DH is at home with our DS (27 months) and he does the same as others on this thread - DS "helps" so everything takes ages and basically the house is never particularly clean or tidy.

DH or I will mop floors/clean toilets after DC are in bed, or else DH or me will take kids out for an hour at the weekend while the other one cleans.

I quite often clean the bathroom when DC are in the bath.

I don't think there is a magic answer though. I wish my house was cleaner but I'd prefer DH to be playing with DS, rather than spending loads of time cleaning while he watches cbeebies or tries to put things in the dog's ears or whatever.

DD helps me by doing little jobs like taking clothes out of washer and putting them in basket. She then helps by passing pegs to me outside when hanging out washing.

In the bathroom i give her a cloth and she 'cleans' the sink while i do the bath and toilet (obv i have to do it again when im done) sometimes she times me how long it takes so we count how many seconds i can do it in .

In the living room she takes all her toys to her room and even does a bit of 'dusting'

Your little one might be a bit young for some of these jobs but getting them started early is the key lol :D

I definitely get her to help, but it's not efficient.

But I feel better now. i think/hope I'm reading threads about housework and comparing myself to people with school age children, or who are at home fulltime - I work 10 hour days, so it's difficult. Thanks for the ideas, all appreciated.

It's really hard. When I just had DS I used to do most of it while he was napping, and it never seemed to get too bad anyway. But now I have DD too and I have no choice but to get things done when they are around. I only have one free hour when DD naps, and I like to have lunch then and prepare dinner and get some cleaning done - but it is not really enough time.

The hardest thing for me is the routine chores like unpacking the dishwasher and cleaning the kitchen after breakfast. DD (18 months) trails behind me screaming for attention, while DS (4) keeps on 'will you play with me now? are you finished yet? will you be finished soon?' but I have no choice but to power on otherwise I get behind with everything and it won't be done until everyone is in bed. It is sooo stressful.

I clean the bathroom while dcs are in the bath.

I really struggle to get much done with DS (age 2) around. The basic stuff like dishes, washing etc are ok, but I save any proper cleaning for the evening. I try to get as much done as possible on a Rhursday or Friday night so I can leave weekends free (particularly as I work 4 days per week).

Mind you, I was much more relaxed about it when I just lowered my standards after DS was born!

I have found the best time to do cleaning is after lunch. My 2 Dc (3.5 and 22 months) play best together then. I give them each a babywipe to clean things such as the floor or walls etc. They can't do much harm and like to feel involved whilst I do the essential jobs.
I think the key is that your house will not be as clean as you will like unless you spend hours in the evening. Do the essentials and try not to worry too much.

what a soothing thread.

Its tricky with tots especially now that i'm back at work. I now get dh to unload dishwasher before he leaves for work as he leaves first and it means i can just stick breakfast things in dishwasher before I go out and don't have to do it all after work as I do the nursery run and school run. This summer I did a really ruthless decluttering of toys and clothes and that has helped. I clean the loo and bath when kids are in the bath and we pay our oldest child wee sums for doing jobs properly around the house. He is 8 and I don't care if this is indulgent it makes life slightly easier at times!
Other than that i've lowered standards when it comes to floors. I just try and keep the place clean and not too cluttered.