Am I the only one who struggles r.e housework with nearly 2y old.

[Lottiebugz22]

I feel like I'm constantly trying to get things done and I can't because I don't want to ignore my dd. She likes to helps put washing in the washing machine so we do that but I feel like it's just impossible to keep on top of day to day stuff. I don't have a dryer so there is drying racks full of clothes everywhere and piles that need putting away. I'm feeling so overwhelmed by it all. How do people just manage to get it all done?

I have two, a baby and a four year old. I do everything when they’re in bed. That maybe wasn’t what you wanted to hear! It was the same even when I had one.

I do it when little one is napping, a room each day and a load of washing every day

My DD is only 10 months so i just pop her in the highchair and get on with stuff while chatting/singing, but my BFF has a 2yr old, they do nursery rhyme time during chores - she sings and the little one does the actions, sitting on the floor while she washes up/puts clothes away etc. Super cute to watch, but i suppose depends on whether you've got a kid who will sit still and do incywincy actions without dashing off!

I do it during nap time or after dd is asleep tbh. And dh and I do a proper clean over the weekend. I can get away with clothes washing during the day or washing up if dd entertained with something but that's about it. Also, standards are much lower now

I can't do a thing when she naps because she's a ridiculously light sleeper.

She "helps" with hanging washing, taking washing down, vacuuming, and emptying the dishwasher, doing dishes etc. Some is done when she is sleeping, and some when 1 parent can take her out /entertain her. She's almost 2. And I am less fussy, so it all gets done less often.

I was not on top of things at all when DD was that age. If I actually wanted to have a tidy sitting room I was reliant on DH taking DD to the playground or similar, I just couldn’t get it done as she was a light baller and a terrible sleeper, so I was in tatters!

Fast forward two years and I do feel it’s much easier to be on top of, not sure when that really happened as it was a gradual thing - by 2.5 she would entertain herself much better and as she would play with one toy for longer (more imaginative play) and could (pretty ineffectually!) help with tidying It was just easier all round.

If you’re feeling exhausted, look for corners to cut. Can you reduce the laundry by wearing things more times before you wash them?

In all honesty you just have to get in and do it. You don't have to entertain a child every waking minute, so leave her playing with some toys, stick the telly on for an hour, give her some snack, let her follow you about and chat. Its really not that hard.

I have a nearly 2 year old. I prioritise the clothes washing, the dinner, and washing the dishes (which DD 'helps' with from her little learning tower) and after those are done its hoovering (we have a dog) and bathrooms. If DH takes her out at thr weekend I will do more, or if she naps. To be honest, my house is just acceptable, but that's what a house with a kid is like if you prioritise sitting with them every day reading or painting or doing the alphabet etc. I had a gorgeously clean house when she was a little baby. Now, it is what it is. Anyone who judges me can go F themselves.

I did hardly any housework when dd was that age.
More important things to do imo. When she slept I slept because I was so tired all the time.
My advice is lower your standards. As long as it’s hygienic and you have cleanish clothes to wear just learn to ignore the rest. In a year you’ll have so much more time and energy and you can start raising your standards again then.

Well, I work full time, but we do everything before and after work or on the weekend. It's easy to shove washing in the washing machine and/or load the dishwasher in the morning. One of us does breakfast/gets dc dressed and the other sorts out a few jobs. I'm working from home, so might hang up washing at lunchtime, otherwise, after 5 when dh is home. Also one of us cooks dinner while the other is with dc. Bit more tidying up of kitchen after dinner while one of us is doing bathtime. Then any big jobs (like putting clothes away or cleaning a bathroom) is done on the weekend. One of us hangs out with them and the other sorts the job out that needs doing. We also just generally accept that there will be toys on the floor and things don't need tidying away on a daily basis.

I have a cleaner 😂
I stay on top of the basics eg washing/ironing, wipe the sides down and hoover after each meal time but for deep cleaning the bathrooms and kitchen I can’t do that with a toddler clinging to my ankles!

@Iminaglasscaseofemotion

In all honesty you just have to get in and do it. You don't have to entertain a child every waking minute, so leave her playing with some toys, stick the telly on for an hour, give her some snack, let her follow you about and chat. Its really not that hard.

This. What happens if you try doing this? Is it just that you feel guilty so haven't tried or is there some incredible fall out?

Mostly when she was in bed or distracted with food; so kitchen got done when she’s eating, bathroom during bath time and washing when she was in bed. My DD always liked to help but it just took double the time.

I struggle as well. My doesn't nap and still doesn't sleep well at night. Only way is when my husband takes her upstairs I can do downstairs.

Sounds like my house at that stage. I loved all the “help” but oh my! It gets easier as they get older.

Child size (or the extendable ones that you can shorten) mops and brushes are great. And definitely get her a toy hoover.

My laundry seldom made it back upstairs at that stage.

If you don’t have one of these you need one. Mine all helped bake and prep dinner in these, or played for ages at the sink while I did.