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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Keeping on top of it all

14 replies

VickityBoo · 24/01/2012 14:55

Here are the pointers!

  • Mum to a 3 year old (super-clingy when she's at home, I turn round and Oops I've fallen over her)
  • 3 bed semi
  • Partner works ft
  • I work from home, own business, 3 1/2 days a week plus often at evenings
  • Have other hobbies I don't want to miss out on as they're part of me the person, not me the mother!

I always wanted to be an 'at home' mum but on starting a business and managing that from home I've needed to use childcare which my daughter needs anyway. She needs to be constantly busy and active, trying new things and socialising. So I have a few days a week to do my things.

Work comes first when dd isn't here. Nothing else happens until work is finished or at least progressed in the day. I am focused and work is work, not 'home' time. No lunch breaks usually although plenty of coffee breaks.

About 18 months ago I tried the Flylady thing but found it so...so American that I didn't get on with it (no offence to American people, it was just overly so). I had a folder etc with daily routines but that just didn't work for me. The best thing I tried was an iPhone app with routines on but even then it got tired after a few weeks.

Basically, with a routine like that if anything gets in the way, holiday, Christmas etc then I lose my way with it!

We haven't currently any heating apart from elec rads, until we fork out for more oil. We also don't have a tumble dryer. It broke during the summer and I don't really want to replace it if we can work things out without it. BUT...drying clothes is really difficult especially when at least one set of bedding is always in the wash. Both myself and dd have eczema and she has bedwetting still about once a week. Not long out of night nappies really. So that's difficult.

Getting things all sorted is getting so difficult. We don't have a dishwasher either, it also broke and replacing isn't a priority. We've been through a period of having very little free money hence being a bit tight right now.

I'm rambling here...but looking for advice on how to keep on top of it all. Also, how to go about doing a really good full house clean in a morning! My friends seem to manage this, as does my Mum, but it takes me all day! Blush

Have tried getting dd a duster and have her 'help' but she ends up distracted and making more mess, craving attention etc.

Getting a little annoyed with it all now! I don't want to have someone look after her for another morning a week because I like having her at home when I'm not working. Also, I don't want to give up a hobby to make housework my 'hobby'!

Any insightful suggestions?

Thank you!!

OP posts:
wifey6 · 24/01/2012 15:22

Wow OP...you sound very busy!! I also run a business from home..flexible & my DS is 19 months & DH works full-time. I am a SAHM but work a few hours at a weekend outside of the house. I have also tried different apps etc but I have started using a white board planner. I wrote on it last night all the things I needed to do today..& tomorrow. Whilst DS was playing I got most done & the other thing I got done whilst he helped out. In fact all chores got done that we're done for tomorrow as well so tomorrow will be a day for a play date. I try & give myself some flexibility & have a list of things we do in the week (play dates...errands...chores etc) & just distribute those over a week (5 days).
It's helped for routine & organisation. Not sure if my post has made sense or will help..but it's an insight in to how I do things.Smile

VickityBoo · 24/01/2012 15:27

Thank you, it's great to hear from other people and get tips. I am quite busy I suppose. I don't use ready meals if I can help it so cook a lot from scratch. I run 3/4 times a week and train with a club at least once a week (in with the 3/4), try to keep up with my zumba once a week too although lately I've been lax. I also have been sewing for a year so really love making things for dd, plus altering when I have to. Also just in to needlecraft, cross-stitch etc. Oh I also love to read. The last two can be done just now and again though, pick up/put down in bed, bath, doing dinner etc so that's not too bad!

I feel like I've put everything on hold for 3 years now I'm finally re-discovering 'me' and don't want that to end. Most of that I do at night to be honest which is probably when I should really be seeing to the house...

OP posts:
wifey6 · 24/01/2012 15:30

I agree about cooking....I love to cook from scratch as much as possible & my business involves a lot of crafts so I tend to work that around DS nap & bed time. That's a new love of mine I have discovered. Smile
I think it's great you have found 'yourself' again...it's just about juggling. Is your DH able to input with chores..dinner & childcare?

VickityBoo · 24/01/2012 15:40

Well my fiancé does like to do things around the home but not usually simple things like the washing up, washing etc he likes to do big gestures! So he'll for example make a big deal of cleaning the utility room or something but not the day to day things. He will Hoover sometimes.

The problem is, he works so much in a physical job so physically needs to relax when he gets home. Also we like to spend the weekend time doing things together where possible which means leaving the house usually!

I'm sure I'll find a way I'm just looking for a miracle! (or just any help is great lol)

OP posts:
wifey6 · 24/01/2012 15:43

My DH does do little jobs but prefers to decorate etc. Leaving me with the bulk of chores. Good luck with it all....I think I have found my new method so hopefully that will work.Smile

VickityBoo · 24/01/2012 15:47

Yes my other half likes to do the decorating, gardening, car washing etc which I can't complain about!

Good luck with yours too. I may adapt it!

OP posts:
VickityBoo · 24/01/2012 15:47

*adopt

OP posts:
georgesmummy11 · 24/01/2012 15:48

My lo is 13 months I work 19hrs a week and my oh works FT often away all week. I find my being as tidy and on top of things as possible makes the hole cleaning process a lot easier and quicker. I'm also quite lucky that my lo has a 2 1/2 hr nap in the afternoon so can get most of the big cleaning done then.
Bedrooms: I tidy all washing and clothes away daily as soon as Iv used something it goes straight away same goes in ds room.
Bathroom: cleaned every morning as soon is I get out of the shower while I dry off.
Living room: all toys put away dusted and hooves everyday as soon as ds has gone to bed. Normally while the sink is running for the pots.
Kitchen: pots washed after every meal if possible. Big clean in the evening all sides wiped floor swept (mopped twice a week more if needed) bin emptied.
I have a big clean once a week normally when da is napping.

georgesmummy11 · 24/01/2012 15:49

Sorry rambled on a bit there Blush

wifey6 · 24/01/2012 15:51

george....that sounds similar to my routine....I love organisation & keeping on top of it is the key I think.
I am loving my new white board method though...it's helping to keep everything in order.

VickityBoo · 24/01/2012 16:10

What about keeping on top of the oven, fridge, wall/door cleaning, behind sofa etc?

OP posts:
georgesmummy11 · 24/01/2012 16:16

Op I do all that once a week if I can some sometimes every other, I love cleaning but hate cleaning the oven with a passion think ovens should be self cleaning. If we have a busy week and I sometimes spend one evening doing it x

georgesmummy11 · 24/01/2012 16:17

I do the fridge just before I do the food shopping that way I know when we have left to use and what we need x

wifey6 · 24/01/2012 16:19

My DH does our oven Blush
I do the fridge once a fortnight...

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