im finding the housework more overwhelming now my kids are older!!

[AMAZINWOMAN]

Lately I seem to have been overwhelmed by the housework, and the constant jobs that need doing day in and day out. Plus my sons are growing and constantly need feeding-as they are both active and sporty they need loads of energy!

As I am spending more time in the kitchen, the house has gone to pieces. Today I counted that if I wanted to go from the front door to my room I have to step over about 10 things!

I try and get the boys to help. they have a job to do each day, and if they complete it, they will get pocket money for that day. At the end of the week I add up how much they have earned.

But this doesnt always work. I have to tell them to do it (Im usually too tired!) or it doesnt get done. (but they're not paid)

They will do things if I ask, but its hard asking them all the time!! If they want their friends around, they have to straighten up-which they will do.

how does everyone else manage this?

Would giving them a set amount of pocket money each week and then taking some away each day when a job isn't done work instead? Have you tried looking at the fly threads?

Colour coded "plastic boxes" place in hall, understairs - if room.

Put all stuff into boxes and then it removes the clutter.

Then at the end of the week give them all the stuff to put into their bedrooms and start again. Time the giving of the box to each dc just before a pudding is to be served.

I know exactly what you mean about spending more and more time in the kitchen. My boys' appetites are growing at an alarming pace and I sometimes feel I am spending my life making sandwiches!

As my boys get older, they seem to acuqire more stuff, more interests, more friends - life gets more complicated.

I don't know what is the answer, but can you play to their strengths? What do they like doing that helps you? I am lucky in that my oldest son (13) loves cooking and is now really useful in the kitchen. I can leave him to cook breakfasts for us all and even suppers. The downside (and there is always a downside!) is that he not good at washing up or cleaning. He is also not good at tidying his room. But as long as he helps with cooking, I feel better.

The best way to get him helping with tidying - hoovering, polishing, etc is to invite someone round and then have a blitz for an hour or two before. It can be a friend of his or mine, it doesn't really matter. Knowing we have guests and there is a deadline, will propel my sons into some sort of housework action. An external pressure (guests) works 100 times better and pressure (nagging) from me.

As for tidying I think the plastic boxes idea is good. Whatever you do, have certain places that you keep certain things in, so all keys are always put in 'x' place, all sportskit is always put in 'y' place etc etc. So anyone can find it - in theory

AS for you spending all your time in the kitchen, if they're teenagers can't they be doing some of the cooking? Or at least preparing snacks?