Housework.

I am not a “neat freak”, but I do like things to be tidy. Over the years with three kids and two working adults, the thing I’ve let slide a little is my sense of what makes for a “clean” house. It isn’t that it’s a pig sty - it is just that it would be neater if I were living on my own. But I am not. So:

1) Beds are all “made” in the morning by everyone, which basically means the covers are thrown over the bed in some semblance of flatness.

2) The kids set and clear the table. Dishes are done every night by Les or me, and clothes and towels are (supposed to be) hung up by the kids.

3) Playroom and kids’ rooms are straightened (by the kids, not us) every two or three days.

4) Laundry is done weekly - I sort, wash and dry it, everyone puts up their own (and besides their own clothes, the kids put up the towels).

5) The house is cleaned every two or three weeks. THIS has been the hardest thing to let go of, but it has been the most sanity-inducing part, too. Especially now, because the kids are all doing most of it. We started them picking up after themselves before they were five, and add more responsibilities as each year passes. Now at 11, 9 and 9, they are doing probably somewhere around 80% of it - dusting, vacuuming, mopping, the bathrooms. I still do the kitchen. Is everything done to my standards? Not by a long shot. But it is done. And it is relieving me of duties while teaching them how to clean a house, which I think is a survival skill.

Note: Our kids aren’t angels - they get allowance, and a lot of why they do it without grumbling is to get paid. But hey, I don’t work for free, so I think that’s fine. Bribery works.

Both of your kids are old enough for (home) school, right? Then if they aren’t helping and doing some major piece of it, perhaps that would be a good start.
“Mum’s tired - can you give her a hand?”

I think that for the first time in years my life is at a reasonable pace. Though slowing down is kind of hard for me.

Jim - I think some of that is it for me. Our home is “expected” by some to be a show piece as our door is always open to congregation etc. This is something which I’ve taken upon myself which I need to let go of! Trouble is on the other hand I don’t like mess either! You’ve made some good points though. Grace has just turned 6, so she makes beds etc, but her idea of tidying is shoving everything under her bed or a table etc! LOL! Ben has started helping with dusting etc - ours don’t get an allowance, maybe now is the time to start!

John - I’m glad life is at a good pace for you now.

hey lyn.
yes- huge struggle. summer helps to even things out, but of course i always give myself projects to complete during the summer (anybody want to come strip wallpaper?). We limit our activities, say no to a lot in order to keep things simple, but then we live 30 miles from most everything, so the time we gain by simplifying is lost on the road to the things we do commit to. sigh. we always swore we’d keep things simple, and when we look around we can see that we do a little better than many, but it never seems simple enough. as for housework, I do a little everyday to keep things on an even keel so that it never overwhlems me or takes a whole day to do. and my daughter,7, has daily responsibilities, mostly for her own things.

Hi Cindy - I have a friend who lives very simply - I think I need to try this! The trouble is I look at some things and think “it might come in handy” - don’t get me wrong, I’m not a hoarder, and our house isn’t cluttered, BUT we have more than we need. Maybe over summer vacation I’ll get a little ruthless!