How to deal with constant interruptions?

[Letmesleepalready]

Our house is always a tip, and the main reason is that I’m constantly interrupted by the DCs, so by the time I’ve dealt with them, I’ve either forgotten what I was doing, or have no motivation left.
I’ve tried distracting them with TV or drawing but even if occupied they need my input all the time. It’s exhausting. And that’s not even talking about the fact they can’t stay in a room together for more than 5 minutes without fighting.
So what’s your tricks to get stuff done?

How old are they? I used to have a cast iron bed time routine and work at speed once they were in bed.
Or at weekends I'd get OH to keep them occupied for a bit so I could get stuff done.

3 and 5. Bedtime is a big issue, as the youngest just won’t go to sleep at the expected time, but is clingy because they’re tired.

My friend introduced me to Emily Norris’s vlogs on youtube. She does a lot of speed cleaning, routines and has 3 boys (7,4 and 18mo - I think?). I watch them when cooking and find them really motivational. When we were recently selling our house I used her power hour method, up to twice a day to get everything immaculate. I find setting a timer and then just keeping going for that time really works. I have 3 power hour playlists, or will put on a podcast. I like the guilty feminist but it’s not for when little ears are around. As for interruptions, either get them to help - mine are 2 and 4 - and can be given tasks - the more specific the better (put the Lego away, put the Barbies away, tidy up the Lego), or give them plain clean cloths to “polish” or I give them their iPads or put a series on Netflix for an hour.

If your house has gotten into a real state, mine did when I had PND, I hired a cleaner. Could you tidy / sort out this weekend and pay someone to do a one off clean? Or could someone look after your DCs for a morning or afternoon so you could blitz it? I think once things are in order it’s much easier to tidy and clean.

I’ve also found a cordless hoover has been a god send! And the children can use it too.

Good luck!

Thanks, I’ll check it out. DH helps as much as he can after work, I just wish we didn’t have to spend our evenings sorting the house out, because I haven’t been able to finish things in the day. We’d also do a lot more with the DCs if housework didn’t take so long all the time. I like doing craft activities with the DCs but more often than not I have to say no, because the rest of the house is so messy, I don’t want to add to it.

Mine are older so perhaps I've forgotten the worst of it. We used to have a couple of "tidy up times" with special music before lunch and as part of bed time routine. So by 6.30 ALL the toys are away and you are not having to do any tidying up after them, after that.

The whole "leaning in" thing does work to a degree. Sit down and give them a dedicated time really engaging with the game, and you might find they will then let you get away later on. Whereas if you are constantly saying "in a minute" or multitasking they will compete for your attention. A busy morning out might also help, so they'll slump a bit after lunch. Really encourage them to be independent, getting own drinks & snacks, breakfast, crafts, wipe table.

You need to get them out of the house for several hours. Either you or DH take them out for a whole day and the other get stuck in and get as much done as possible.