How to get things done??

[excitedforbaba]

Hi

I'm officially a sahp due to a scarcity of childcare places available close by.
My dd is 10m and I feel we are going backwards with routine etc

When she was smaller I was able to keep on top of house work etc easier now I barely get to eat lunch without getting shouted at! And yes I have an audience when I pee!

What I want to know is how do you go about your daily chores etc with a small person who constantly wants your attention

Could you schedule some "TV time" while you get a few things done?

I know it's not possible for everyone, but we got a cleaner, which is really the only way I can stay properly on top of the house.

Other ideas:

When washing up - give baby a bowl of water and bubbles to play with on a towel on the floor. Will probably get knocked over, but used to keep mine entertained for a while at least (maybe more so when a bit older - 12-18mo??)

Hanging out washing - give baby pegs to play with whilst you do it.

Bathroom - get used to doing quick wipe rounds daily when you are brushing teeth etc. rather than trying to do whole lot.

Get out of the house more - it means less mess is created and also you don't see it as much so it doesn't bother you as much.

See if you can get a friend round who will be happy to watch two babies whilst you do anything urgent you can't do with baby and then have coffee/chat etc.

See if you know any local teenagers who want to earn some pocket money doing a few hours 'mother's help' type work? I.e. they watch baby whilst you get stuff done and/or give you a hand with a few chores. I had a friend who did this who it worked very well for - I think she paid the girl £5 or £6 an hour and had her round a couple of times a week.

I do housework whilst dc3 has his nap, 90 mins on a good day, 30 occasionally, which means another nap later whilst on school run. I generally schedule ironing into this, so I can watch a box set (currently working through desperate housewives on sky ).

I make a game of mopping the floor when he's in the high chair, moving him around as I mop. Have bought only enviro friendly cleaning products so I can clean whilst he's around if I haven't managed by bath time etc.

My house is a tip. I'm not going to lie but I do what I can around him, and catch up on extras at the weekend. Am slowly chipping away at decluttering and getting a few bits and bobs on ebay (on a good nap day!)

I do a lot when my two (5 and 22 months) are having their nap (prep dinner etc), Hoover between dinner and bath (seems to keep them occupied), and they just have to watch/help too. Also, I can get a crap load done during an episode of Peppa Pig

Our hoover power can be turned down low so I let the three year old hunt crumbs around the room with it, while I pick up toys/laundry. She does a not bad job picking up the worst if it!

Prep lunches for the day the night before, keeps the kitchen clean and less time faffing about if you're stuck in. Same with snacks. The less you have to do, the more time you'll have for a cup of tea!

Don't let a chore pile up to do in one go, it's impossible and demoralising if you can't finish it.

Some great advice posted up thread!