Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Three and a half days to get sorted... help

10 replies

BlackCatinChaos · 08/08/2013 12:02

My house is a tip, I am feeling worn down because of the way the kids behave and whine. We are supposed to be going on holiday soon so I really need to get things sorted. I have tried Flylady in the past but I just can't stick at it. I know it makes sense to do things little and often but in my head I feel like I am running out of time

OP posts:
Vivacia · 08/08/2013 12:56

Is this really a house-keeping problem? Because you mention things which aren't mess-related.

Vivacia · 08/08/2013 12:57

(I didn't mean that as in, "You're in the room forum, get out"! I meant, "are you ok?").

BlackCatinChaos · 08/08/2013 13:23

I guess there is a mix of things going on. :

How to keep the kids entertained/out of mischief while trying to get the house sorted and get the packing done.

I have to be o.k. in order to get it all done.
I have been for a shower (with an audience/ 4 year old) to try and make myself feel better. Gonna do lunch next before I try to get started.

My son tends to keep himself entertained on the xbox. Not saying he is on it all day and we have had days out recently .

I guess it's all about trying to find a balance. You get an awful lot of guilt with being a mum. And everyone is always ready to get their judgy pants on. (Not saying you are by the way ;) )

OP posts:
BoffinMum · 08/08/2013 13:26

I think I know where you are coming from. Perhaps it's time to think about the life you actually want to live, and put systems in place at home to anticipate potential whining issues etc.

For example it's often the case the the kids have too many toys, mostly plastic crap, but moan how bored they are constantly. One possibility is to give their bedrooms a bit of an organisational makeover so toys are displayed and anything broken or not played with is disposed of. Same with clothes. Sort their stuff out so it all fits and can be worn. Get rid of the surplus. With less stuff, life is a lot more straightforward. They will find toys they had forgotten they had, and play with them accordingly.

Then move to the bathroom. Display a very nice fancy toothbrush and toothpaste for each of them in a decent tooth mug. Give them a hook each for their towels, and colour code towels and flannels so if one lot are on the floor everyone knows who committed the crime.

Next coats and shoes. Again, a hook each, and a shoe cupboard if you can manage it. Shine a light onto this area and make it automatic for people to put their own stuff away as soon as they come in. If the hall is cluttered then their particular mess won'r stand out and they just won't bother.

Next the kitchen. Declutter here and create an area for the kids bowls, cups, plates and baking kit. Make it routine for them to help set the table. Do a bit of cooking with them so you are not just telling them off the whole time. Congratulate them on being grown up and helpful while they are doing it.

There's a lot more on my blog. Austerity Housekeeping. Also if you tell us a bit more about life in your house, and the ages of your DCs, perhaps we can all tailor advice a bit.

BoffinMum · 08/08/2013 13:28

Oh yes, and one packing strategy I use is to buy a packet of pants and socks for each child, as well as new t-shirts, and a wash kit in a zip lock plastic bag, and I only pack about 5 days' worth for each person. They go straight in a hand luggage sized case, and each person is responsible for their own case during the journey.

BlackCatinChaos · 08/08/2013 13:46

Thanks for you'r replies.
I guess I need to try and find stay motivated.

Here is a list of things I need to do:

washing up/drying up in the kitchen
clean worktops
decide what's for dinner
General tidying / decluttering around the house
Try and find lost phone card so I can buy some credit
Hoover up
clean the bathroom
doing clothes washing and drying (hanging out to dry) then putting away

Last of all packing for our holiday's --which I think we really need--

All of this at the same time as looking after the kids.

I know lots of mums will be in a similar situation so I know I'm not the only one struggling with it all.

OP posts:
blossombath · 08/08/2013 14:01

Could the dc go to a friend s house for a few hours?

I find it helpful to set myself time targets. Eg I will put on a short wash load (our machine has a 30 min cycle) or an album of similar length and try to clear.kitchen before it ends.
Music helps me too if ds is out.

Is there something in freezer for dinner, or can dh pick up pizza or similar easy meal?

BlackCatinChaos · 08/08/2013 14:20

I don't have any close friends and family are at work.
The music may be a possible but dd may kick off. We think she may have something like Aspergers. For eg if I put on a cd she doen't like she will kick off. She sometimes like things to be the same as in the same music. She doesn't like change.

I have decided to list things as I do them hopefully it will spur me on to do more.

I have done:
1 x drying up
cleared the living room floor and hoovered and am setting out a "town" for dd to play in the living room while I do more jobs elsewhere.

If anyone else wants to do a list they have done here please do. x :)

OP posts:
BoffinMum · 08/08/2013 23:13

Well my mission at the moment is to sort out the Lego mountain and I had some limited success today in starting to sort it into ziploc bags according to colour.

BlackCatinChaos · 09/08/2013 03:56

Well done BoffinMum Smile

I am up early partly cause dd disturbed in her sleep and partly because we are hoping to set off early when we go on our journey.
Brew

I've had a bit of luck come my way. DH has been allowed to take today off (sometimes he works Friday). Smile So that takes a bit off pressure off me trying to do it all.

if I get chance though I will try to come on here when I take a break from my jobs.

Yesterday I ended up having a bit of a meltdown for various reasons --I dont want to go into-- and spent a good hour alone in my bedroom while I calmed down. I think I needed that as I felt better afterwards!

After my meltdown I went through some piles of paperwork (looking for phone card) sorting and filing / shredding.

DH helped with a bit of the washing up. (Never ending job)

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page