I have lost my housekeeper/nanny and aupair and I am a mess. How do you do things?

[JennyLovesRosie]

I will keep this brief.

My dh and I both were made redundant, we've had to downscale everything and lost all of our brilliant help. I thought it might take a week or two to get on top of things but I am drowning under the washing/clutter/filth.The bathrooms are shocking not to mention empty fridge/creased uniforms and a baby permanantly in pyjamas after only 5 weeks!

I am ashamed to say I've never had to do any of it as I have always worked and payed other people to do it all I don't know where to start.

Could anyone spend a moment or two giving me an idea of hints/routines for keeping three children and a house in reasonable nick?

My husband is rather bemused that I am in such a muddle but I'm sure when he starts getting fishfinger suppers five nights in a row he may pitch in.

I feel like such a failure. How can I not manage?

Message withdrawn

OP...if you are trying to make it work for you to be a SAHM then try and get hold of a book (used to be featured on here) called the smart wormans guide to staying at home..about how to work the financail and practical sides of moving from WM to SAHM

We have been without domestic help since Christmas.

I did not appreciate what my aupair did. I imagine she spent not much more than 20 minutes a day on housework, but now I know that it was useful.

We live in a tip at the moment. The only time the house gets really clean is when we have people over.

One thing that I have done that is helpful is to get regular grocery deliveries - I paid for Ocado membership and get deliveries twice a week.

I am less successful at getting everyone to pull their weight - which is vital. The kids have to do their own cleaning/washing and their fair share of food prep/clearing up. Mine do, but only when nagged.

My strategy is to keep from drowning during term time and then catch up over the holidays.

A useful thing to try is something like Flylady, where you dedicate time each day to specific tasks - and you don't stop until they are done or until the allocated time runs out.