The Organised Mum Method thread 2

[Xiaoxiong]

Since we were all so chatty and supportive on the last thread, let's keep it going. We're not all mums, not all organised, but we're getting there!

For new joiners: check out www.theorganisedmum.blog for the basics of Level 1 and Level 2 jobs and then come and chat about it!

Wow that sounds like a tough job xiao, I hope you’re sending him a bill!

I’m glad last weeks Friday focus was bathrooms as my family bathroom needed a good deep clean. I ended up doing it on Saturday as I couldn’t get my girls napping together on Friday and I don’t like them to “help” in the bathroom!
Lounge was done yesterday in exactly half an hour so I’m definitely getting quicker! Tuesday is probably my busiest day as I do the master bedroom and both girls rooms including sheet changes. As odd as this sounds, it’s my favourite day as my eldest (age 2) loves to help and her favourite thing is changing the sheets! Yes it takes twice as long but she thinks it’s brilliant. I managed to do all 3 bedrooms (dust, polish, change sheets and vacuum) in 40 minutes last week.

I’ve fallen a bit behind over here! DH and I have both had stomach bugs and our 4 month old has got two teeth in the last week, none of which has been very conducive to housework.

Generally my policy if I miss a day or two of TOMM is to just carry on and not try to catch up, otherwise I end up overwhelmed which is why I needed TOMM in the first place! What does everyone else do?

On the plus side, we had a guest at the weekend and I was so pleased at how little effort it took to feel that the house was ready for their arrival.

@Xiaoxiong eww sounds awful. Well done though!
Bella, I just miss it and catch up next week if I can. I work 13 hour shifts and don’t want to do anything when I get in so I leave it. Dh does clean but I don’t say today is Tuesday you must clean the bedroom . It’s never hard to catch up. Hope you are feeling better.

@Littlechocola same with my DH, he thinks the system is overthinking something that should be obvious but he does admit it’s working! He tends to keep on top of the stuff that isn’t in the system - cooking, dishwasher, etc so it works well!

Hi everyone, just joining in, I think I have developed a similar system of my own with daily and weekly jobs but I like the look of this system!
Can anyone link me to thread 1 please (my obsessive need to read it alllll is kicking in!)

Welcome @londonloves. Afraid I wasn’t on the old thread but I’m sure someone will link it.

The unthinkable has happened for me this morning, I can’t quite cobble together a load of laundry to put on?! I don’t think this has happened in living memory! We’re going swimming later so there’ll be plenty after that I suppose

Just dusted the hallway, landing and stairs and noticed the skirting boards could do with a wipe down so I might do that later instead of hoovering the stairs, which can definitely last another week. Previously I wouldn’t have entertained doing that sort of job outside of a massive deep cleaning session, so yet again my mind is blown at how simple yet clever the system is!

Yep here's the first thread for you london, happy reading! http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/3353745-the-organised-mum-method

Level 1 done and I did a load of washing made up of 4 dressing gowns! Also mopped the hall/entryway/dining room and kitchen so that's done for the week.

Now for some decluttering and sorting out. We are moving house in August and the interior decorator for the new house is coming over to our current house tomorrow to discuss carpets, curtains and wall colours - she apparently wants to see how we currently live so she can get an idea of our "style" - I don't think we have a style!! But at least we can be clean and tidy...

Bella be careful, next thing we know you'll be one of those MNers who changes their sheets daily and washes towels after one use

@Xiaoxiong if you ever see me on a thread calling another poster slovenly for only changing their sheets weekly, give me a shake

I have to change mine twice a week because I’m a sweaty mess! But definitely not one for creating washing for the sake of it.
I’ve been working all day and got home to a bath full of dog hair where dh had bathed the dog and left the mess

Kitchen was a mess this week, I think because we've had guests and two dinner parties so there was a lot of cooking going on and people in and out. All I got done was viakal on the sink and taps, cleaning the hob and counters, and wiping all the cupboard fronts down. Somehow there were muddy/dirty finger marks under every cupboard and drawer handle

Interior decorator lady came and examined our house and proclaimed that we are "bohemian minimalists"! So I guess my frantic tidying and clearing of surfaces must have fooled her!!

I'm marking my place. I've been half arsedly following the TOMM method whilst we declutter and before I finished work for a while, but both were an issue (I was a childminder so my kitchen and living room needed to be spotless every night whilst the rest of the house fell apart! DH did most of the housework in the evenings but has just started a new job this week so it's mostly falling to me from now on).

I finished work recently which has given us time to declutter a bit and we're almost there on the decluttering so it's easier to actually clean and tidy now, so I'm trying to get into the habit before number 2 arrives in April!

2yo DD 'helps' me so I'm not getting huge amounts done but we're getting into the habit and she's slowly becoming proficient with the dustpan and brush The only room we can't really do now is the living room on Mondays and that's because loads of DDs toys are in there as we're painting her bedroom, hopefully that'll be finished in the next couple of weeks

I feel like I've fallen behind. I felt miserable after the Brexit vote on Tuesday and so couldn't bring myself to do anything. Then was out last night. But actually that's no worse than when we had friends staying for two nights and I didn't feel bad about that.

I'll get back on it tonight.

@Xiaoxiong bohemian minimalist is very cool. I want to be you. I’m probably more bohemian maximimalist

Xiaoxiong - where do you find an interior designer like that? We are about to have a new kitchen extension but would like some hints on living room layout etc.

I've fallen behind this week too but have done the sheets a day early. When I walked back into our bedroom this morning it had a beautiful aroma of stale sweat.

So I've opened up all of the upstairs bedroom windows for a while and changed all of the bedding.

Off to the launderette shortly to dry it all when the last load is finished washing.

Pep our interior designer was hired for us (tied accommodation) but she was fab, lots of ideas about layouts and furniture, and offers reupholstery, furnishings, carpets and curtains as well. The nice thing is she didn't try to impose her taste on us, she wanted to know what we are like already and build on that (and a good thing too as some of the photos are not to my taste, but to each their own!) Here's her website so I guess I'd look for something similar in your area if you aren't near us? claremont-interiors.co.uk

I am also behind now, Friday was a snow day for the DCs so while we had a lovely time the floors are filthy and I have three loads of dry clean washing backed up now to be put away. Ah well! Tomorrow is another day...

I know I always ask this, and yes I'm behind, but was what the Friday Focus?

Master bedroom I think (planning to do it tomorrow).

Thanks xiao

I’m feeling sooo demotivated this week 😫 with a non-sleeping, teething baby and multiple stomach bugs and colds sweeping the house plus weekend guests, I’ve missed a few days here and there and it shows. Every time I turn around a room that was previously tidy is cluttered again and everything is taking so long to do.

I’ve put a load of laundry on and dusted the hallway stairs and landing but really struggling to get much more done with a 4 month old in tow.

Today I’m mainly deep breathing and reminding myself that we’ll get there and a clean house isn’t the be all and end all...

@bellajay forgive yourself. Start again when you can.
I’ve been pants this week as working overtime. I don’t feel like doing anything after a 13 hour shift! Today I had a lovely day with my baby and went food shopping. When we got back I poured a large glass of wine and sorted the kitchen and front room. I know it’s not in order but those two were the most desperate! Tomorrow I will do bedroom and hallway as I’m working over the weekend.

@Littlechocola thanks, it just looks so insurmountable sometimes! I have to bow down to your genius though...why on God’s green earth have I never combined wine and housework?

Good luck with the bedroom and hallway today, I’m going to dedicate my day to the living room which is the room that’s irritating me the most.

You’ve really reminded me that the whole point of the system is to worry less about housework. Not beat myself up about a bit of clutter!

Glad to help Bella! Turn the music up and dance as you tidy

I failed slightly today as I’ve had quite an emotional day but did level 1 jobs and got carried away in the bathroom. I didn’t do what I had planned but it will get done next week.

Hello everyone, I've been back on the wagon this week. Was out last night but not stressing about having missed kitchen Thursday.

How are you all getting on?

Hello everyone can I join please? Started TOMM and was doing brilliantly then work kicked off and whilst downstairs is okay as I've learnt to use conference calls as an opportunity to tidy and wipe but the bedrooms are a state with piles of clothes and stuff. I didn't change a single bed this week except the toddler who threw up 🤮. I need to get back on it next week but will be taking a few hours to get the bedrooms back on track today unfortunately. What does everyone do with once worn clothes by the way? Not knickers and stuff but jeans and jumpers? Ours always end up all over the place.