How do you do it all?? Things are actually going great this summer so far with my kids. What's the catch? My house is SUFFERING! I am behind on everything! We woke up this morning, went to swim practice, went to the library, came home and had lunch and Popsicles, read our stories from the library, then had craft time. They are happy as can be but my house is oh so blue! I want to know how to do it all!
I sent you an email so check it out. And, you do crafts every day? Good for you! Send me some ideas of what you do, my kids would love me more if I let them do a craft every day. Maybe try making them do a job before they do something fun. My kids are really good at dusting, vacuuming stairs, wiping dirty spots off of walls and emptying the dishwasher.
ReplyDeleteKatie had a great idea, job then craft. I was just going to say...I think you figured it out. You can't do it all. Realizing that and accepting it can lead to alot of inner peace. I love days when we do fun things or go places. To make up for it I plan the day after we'll have to do a little catchup. Good luck finding the balance.
ReplyDeleteFly Lady is really great.
ReplyDeletewww.flylady.net
I don't follow her to a T, but she really has some wonderful ideas. She helps women who work and who have kids... pretty much anyone!
(This most definitely does not mean that my house is clean... or organized... or that dinner is on the table... or the kids are bathed... I can go on...)
oh nik,
ReplyDeleteget this, yesterday I didn't touch a thing! I'm not kidding. not a single dish, toy, book, nothing! I was trying to prove a point to daylan. Ha-ha. the funny thing is he didn't get the point I was trying to make! and then it took me all night and the following morning to get on top of things! I'm not kidding. anyways, just live in a mess sometimes it actually feels good. Then when you have had enough take a deep breath and roll up your sleeves. I really should have taken a pic of my place yesterday. us moms...we go a lot! Maybe it would be easier to say on top of everything if we felt a little appreciation.
...or maybe I'm using your blog to figure my life out! Haha. I really need to call you!
Niki, you are in a season of life where the most important thing you can possibly do is be with, and there for, your children. Dishes and laundry can be neglected, but children can't. What damage is done from neglected housework is no comparison to the damage done to neglected children. Enjoy this season and know this - once those babies are gone you will have all the time in the world to keep a clean and tidy house. It is then there will be times you will long for the noise and clutter of days gone by.
ReplyDeleteA few hints on keeping somewhat up on housework:
Do 1 load of laundry every day no matter what.
Clean bathrooms during nap or quiet times for the kids.
Spend some of your computer time doing one chore.
Have the kids help with easy tasks, such as dusting, helping to unload and load the dishwasher, putting away folded clothes. These are actually fun things for them to do, especially if mom is doing it with them.
I hope those ideas help. Good luck.
I am right there with ya! lately I have been wondering how moms out there can do so much more than me? but I have come to the conclusion that I am just a one task woman, and I am just going to have to be behind! you are such a great mom, and your kids are adorable!
ReplyDeleteI would have to dido(sp?) what Kristina said. I always am behind and I guess that's just how I am. You are amazing at managing it all!
ReplyDeleteO.K. so Makayla got out of school thursday this last week. It's only been a few days and I've been baffeled at how hard it is to keep the house clean with them all home. It will be an interesting summer. It might take me all summer to figure it out and than they'll all head back to school. You should do Fly Lady again. You said you really liked that. I'm sure you just have to get pumped (like a diet) first. Love ya
ReplyDeleteDang... I'm not looking forward to not being able to keep up with my house. We had 3 extra kids stay at our for two weeks and it was so hard. I just gave up trying to keep it clean. By the time they left our floor was so sticky. I just wished that their mom would have cleaned more before they left. Oh well, what do you do some people just don't care if a house is clean.
ReplyDeleteI KNOW! It is not hapening with me either! I can't think when the house is dirty. A few things that help a little for us is: Mondays is my deep cleaning day. I do sheets, scrub toliets, floors, etc... Then on the other days I put loud dance music on and we "pick up" cleaning time. Sometimes I set the timmer for 30 min to an hour and get as much done as I can. Then I don't feel guilty for not spending tons of time with the boys. You are such a GREAT mom and I think you do a very good job with your kids. Your family is very lucky to have you!
ReplyDeleteI say you did what is important. You and especially your kids are going to remember all the fun things you did with them, not that your house wasn't as clean as you thought it should be. Is is really possible to do it all anyways?
ReplyDeleteUm, i got nothin but it sounds to me like you have your priorities nice and straight! Your kids are so cute!!! I miss you. wish you were coming to the st george girls trip next weekend :( How cute that Audrey is on the swim team and has meets! I can't believe you have a 6 year old!!! HOLY CRAP
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