Housework, illness and disability.

[KungFuBustle]

Burgh, it's got so bad.

Dh is disabled and I'm on the mend from a long period of illness. Today is the day I stop doing the bare minimum and sort this pigsty out.

DS (10) is a star and is helping. DH is pottering as much as he can. I've just steam cleaned the bathroom to within an inch of it's life.

There is tons of washing and washing up, piles of clutter, I need to sort this out but get some bigger jobs like windows and skirting done so it feels like a real start and not just firefighting chaos.

Any tips? I'm tired from illness and work, I know I'll feel better once it's done but right now I want to run and hide.

Is spend a day doing the de junking , then set a daily routine to suit you, then a weekly one , then an approx monthly one. For eg each eve I put wash in and tidy kitchen then a 5 min job: any. Then weekly I mop floors , bathroom etc.monthly windows ,skirting etc. don't get overwhelmed start from we're you are at and the routines will support you. All the best .

Good plan, thanks.

Today I did some general housework but also cleared a surface and a drawer. Little and often will be the approach to de-junking.

Going to make lists, not in a 'this must be done while I'm at work' way but 'here's some stuff if you fancy it' and I'll do the heavier stuff after/before work.

Gentle routines suitable for DH and DS with an big action plan and goals for myself.

Keeping on top of things when you are ill is difficult, its depressing too if you dont as you have more time looking at it Whats almost more difficult is realising what you can and cant do anymore and doing things to a timetable is one of them. I find I have good days and bad days and have had to realise that a bad day isnt for anything active - but could still be for sorting something administrative out online or on the phone etc (sitting very still). Goals are good so that you can maybe get there over a couple of days for instance.
Things that have helped (I have breathing difficulties and arthritis) include a long handled grabber so I can tidy without bending over, or fill the washing machine, keeping dusters, bin bags, wipes etc upstairs and down to avoid having to climb the stairs much, using a stool to sit on when doing lots of cleaning (like doing the shower door this morning) and getting a dyson handheld rechargeable cleaner. This last doesnt get tangled with my oxygen tube, its light so ok for sore hands, has a see through container so its very satisfying seeing how much youve cleaned and the charge only lasts 15 mins which is about as long as me before Im gasping for breath! Anything that makes stuff easier I think. Good luck with it but dont get too wound up, it will all get done eventually!

Could be worth getting someone in to help, even just a half-day with someone fit would get house up-to-scratch, and why are the other two residents doing mimum chores while you do everything else?
Are they more important?

No showtime, but one has severe mobility problems and the other is ten. As I said in my OP, my son helps lots and my husband does what he is able.

Do you have the spare money to get any of this done by other people - just thinking of getting a window cleaner in or dropping a couple of loads of washing at the laundrette for a service wash whilst you do other loads at home. It'll help with the weather being unhelpful for drying outside.

I would also be making friends with black bin bags - ensure you have 2 plates per person and a saucepan per person the if anything else doesn't easily wash up because it's sat there for a while, chuck it. You'll feel better with clearer surfaces.

Congrats on getting the bathroom done. Treat yourself to a soak in the clean bath tonight.

I'm stuck budget wise, I dream of hiring someone.

DS does his room, his washing and bedding plus general tidying and dusting. I'm doing flylady routines and decluttering. DH is decluttering and doing what he is able.

Grab a bin bag and fill it has become almost a battle cry.

Thank you for the congrats! Both dh and ds thanked me for the bathroom. Really helped my mood towards this as did your kind words.

Going to do a bit before back shift today!

If it helps - make a list of all the tidying up that should ideally get done & tick off as you achieve. Will keep you motivated & feel rewarding! :)

Try to wash, dry and put away a load of washing a day.

Is there any family or friends who can come and help you get sorted.

If I asked MIL she'd be round in a shot.

Thank you for all help and support. I'm having a bad day so whacked a holiday in at work, house is much improved since first post and it doesn't' feel so overwhelming. We're all using a little and often approach so even a 'bad day' like today doesn't feel so bad.

Hi Kung glad things are moving in the right direction for you

This helped me.

Print it off, adapt to your home, laminate it and put it on the fridge with a white board marker. Everyone in the house can choose what they feel able to do and tick it off.

I hope you continue to recover and your DS sounds like a real credit to you, a real star

Thank you, Lore. The link is awesome.