need to get organised - returning to work (PT) after 14 whole years as SAHM. House in chaos. How to I get on top of it all?

[ernesttheBavarian]

What do I do? Any planning tips/ timetables? apps for android?

How to I get it all done/decide what to delegate, enforce compliance?

Is a strict and rigid routine the way to go or make it up as I go along?

(PS I can't say I ever managed to get on top of it as a sham. house already in chaos. So I'm sort of starting from scratch. I never did get the hang of it. Tried fly lady once. Spent so much time ready the emails etc I didn't have time to get owt done. House is constantly terribly messy which makes cleaning really difficult as I spend hours tidying no time left to clean. How do I transform my 4 messy kids and even messier dh?

I'd start by decluttering. The less stuff you have the less there is to clean. It'd be good to do this before you go back to work.

Depending on the ages of your kids I'd also get them involved. I get my 5 and 8 year olds to put away their washing. It is a bit crumpled, but at least they do it. I'm not a fan of paying them to do chores, but I know it works for some people.

sounds like you have five kids. Time to lay down the law and get rid of the clutter. Forget apps etc, the phone does not extrude hands and actually do anything!

get a few bin bags. Warn everyone that things in the wrong place go in them, and will be binned/sold.

don't worry about the kids' rooms as long as they aren't full of rotting food. Don't wash any clothes that aren't in the wash basket. Same for your husband. Don't iron.

kids can empty dishwasher, take out rubbish, tidy up etc etc.