My top 5 struggles:
1. Staying on top of the chores
2. Having a kind and loving heart (read: patience)
3. Mommy guilt
4. Feeling beautiful
5. Giving time - and more - to God
1. Staying on top of the chores
I am forever trying to scale a mountain of laundry, dishes, or toys. In the past few weeks our dryer broke, and we are unable to replace it at the moment. So, I am line-drying our laundry which, in my ideal world, I should/would be doing anyway. The reality is, I'm just a little bit (read: super) picky about my laundry, so a job that already took me longer than the average bear to do now takes even longer. I am meticulous about how it is hung on the line and I hate wrinkly clothes - and I keep my cloth diapers looking new. So while I AM saving money and energy and the environment, I'm not saving any time - which I feel short on already. However - it's what needs to be done and I do it. I actually kind of enjoy the process - especially when the hubs is home and I can close the door (read: crying and whining) behind me. It's peaceful. I just wish I had a little more time.
The kitchen - the thorn in my side. Oh kitchen, why for doth thy plagueth me? (I'm pretending to speak old-English, go with it). In our home, the hubs does most of the cooking. I never learned how to cook, and therefore never learned to enjoy it. That's my sugar-coating way of saying I hate cooking. Hubs, on the other hand, can pretty much make anything I can order up. He enjoys experimenting and dabbling in the culinary arts. And, he's good at it. I can preheat the oven, turn on the microwave, and add water. That's about where my talent ends. So, I end up with the meal-aftermath (read: natural disaster relief needed). Not a bad system in theory, but as much as I enjoy scrubbing the pots, the time-monster rears it's ugly head again. I end up cleaning the kitchen in waves - wave 1 is after breakfast, this is when the dishwasher gets unloaded. Wave 2 is after morning shower time - typically with Veggie Tales playing from the front room. This is when I can re-load the dishwasher. Wave 3 is the actual cleaning of the room - the counters, the sink, the floor. This happens when Millie is eating lunch. As much as I love surfing (at least I think I would if I tried it), these waves make me nuts. I just want to have a clean kitchen. However - it's what needs to be done and I do it.
Noticing a trend? It's what needs to be done and I do it. Not always very well, and not always in a timely manner - and almost never all at once.
Here are some ideas to help with getting the chores done:
`Go at it in waves. You might not be able to make a room sparkle, but you can get a start on it.
`Involve the kids. Millie's eyes light up when I let her put all the clean silverware (sans knives) in a tupperware for me.
`Make a cleaning chart. Monday clean the bathroom, Tuesday mop the floors, etc.
`Visit a site such as Fly Lady for tips and practical ways to get on top of the cleaning.
`Make a daily schedule or routine, put it on paper, and stick to it.
`Make yourself a reward system (peanut M&Ms anyone?!)
5 comments:
Just so you know, I look forward to reading your blog every day. I love it. I struggle with cleaning the house so much. The kitchen is my least favorite room to clean, and I pretty much get it done in waves as well.
Aw, thanks! I'm glad to have at least one reader! LOL.
I'm going to TRY a new wave... to run the dishwasher at night now, instead of during the day, I think I'll feel more productive in life if I can come downstairs to a semi clean kitchen in the morning. :)
We run the dishwasher at night. Usually Wesley will just sit in his high chair and color or talk to me while I clean. I have been wearing Caroline and it is such a lifesaver to get stuff done around the house!
sounds like we are very similar, Cas. My husband does most of the cooking as well. I spend my evenings usually cleaning the kitchen. It is nice when children are able to help with more responsibilities. Love reading your posts...
I love to see Millie with that spray bottle!! She looks just as happy as Liam does. You're doing your best, which is great. You're a great mommy and wife!
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