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Housekeeping

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If you have 2 under 3's-how do you get anything done?!

12 replies

lovemybuggy · 06/10/2008 11:15

Cos im finding it really hard!
Any tips/advice?

OP posts:
SpeckledHen · 06/10/2008 11:36

Umm - I ahve a 5yo, a 3yo and a 14 mo does that count? I do stuff after 7pm when they are in bed; I do stuff - like just now - when one is at school and one at playgroup and the other one sleeping; I bulk cook; dh shops; I do very little ironing; 3yo watches telly to keep her off me while I feed and bather baby...that's all I can think of for now...

ilovemydog · 06/10/2008 11:41

prioritize.

i also cook and freeze, online shopping, do lists of things, but don't get too stressed.

whitechocchip · 06/10/2008 12:18

Have a DS 2 years & a DD 7 months. It can be stressful but I dont give myself a hard time if I dont get something done. I think it's good for my DP to spend sometime with the children to understand how different he thinks my days are. Especially as he thinks I have it easy, shopping, days out etc!

I get my DS to help me do little bits i.e. washing, tidying toys etc.

I tend to take DD around the flat with me and occupy her with toys and singing.

I cook dinner for the children & DP cooks dinner for us in evening when children in bed. I also clean with children round ankles!

Second putting telly on to entertain while
running around.

Hope that helps

Boyswillbeboys · 06/10/2008 12:27

I agree with all of the above - I resigned myself to lowering my standards for quite a while! Now both my DCs are finally at school full time I am tackling the huge to-do list I have been working on for the past 5 years

bronze · 06/10/2008 12:29

I never did get much done in fact I still don't but maybe thats because I'm lazy

symptomchecker · 06/10/2008 12:30

i have 3 (12months between each one!)and you do actually start being quite regimented for a while.as they get older though,and they're all independent,it's not quite so easy to do everything in "THREES"!!!

ledodgy · 06/10/2008 12:33

I have a five year old, a 2.10 year old and a 9 month old. It's really a matter of keeping them occupied so you can get on with stuff.

This morning I needed to make a veg soup so I brought ds2 into the dining room/kitchen and put him in his entertainer thing then I let ds1 paint at the table whilst I chopped and cooked. Ds2 got bored so I moved him to the high chair and gave him a banana and then ds2 wanted to do play dough so I cleaned up the paint and let him do that, I also had the High school musical sound track in the background and ds1 and I sung to that (it's his sisters but he loves it!).

This time of year is great for one pot meals, get a slow cooker. I find the children are alot more accomodating in the morning whilst I make dinner than they are at witching hour of an evening. It's fab knowing dinner is made by 10 am.

There are times when you've got to go easy on yourself though and accept that everything you want to get done isn't going to get done because someone needs a cuddle etc and this is fine too.

stayinbed · 06/10/2008 12:33

depends what. during the day are they both home? prioritize. then get them to do some activities (coloring, sticking stickers, wiping windows or tables (mine like that) ) while you do the urgent things. if you need to go to another room and want them to stay safe for a few minutes, turn on baby tv.

if you need to cook let them bang on pots and pans or put things in and out of pots and pans while you are all in the kitchen

what else do you need to do?

scattyspice · 06/10/2008 12:34

When mine were under 3 I never got anything done! My priorities were buying food, cooking, washing up and laundry. I turned a blind eye to the rest.

Now they are older I use Fly lady to gradually sort the house out (and keep it that way).

FoghornLeghorn · 06/10/2008 12:37

I have 3 DD's aged 4, 22 months and 7 weeks. DD1 is now at school full time so I find I get things done while DD2 is napping or eating lunch - DH does bathtimes so I get a fair bit done then. Ironing etc has to wait until they are in bed !

I have managed to do my excercise DVD this morning with DD2 around, she copied me but did nearly get need in the face a few times

My top tip - don't expect your house to look immaculate all day, it will be get messy from the children playing but I find it easier to tidy/clean once when they are in bed rather than 15 times throughout the course of the day

stayinbed · 06/10/2008 13:03

i will have 3 dds under four in a few weeks too. aaaak! i am not sure, but i find that my dds are ok to get them to do a quiet safe activity together for a while, as i get things done, and i imagine if they were boys that wouldnt happen! tv definately gets them the longest though.
my house will not be immaculate until we move into a bigger one with room and get a permanent cleaner!!!

stayinbed · 06/10/2008 13:03

i will have 3 dds under four in a few weeks too. aaaak! i am not sure, but i find that my dds are ok to get them to do a quiet safe activity together for a while, as i get things done, and i imagine if they were boys that wouldnt happen! tv definately gets them the longest though.
my house will not be immaculate until we move into a bigger one with room and get a permanent cleaner!!!

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