Being a new mother I seem to get a lot of advice, which can be helpful, but is also very frustrating when it's from people who are insistent that their way is the BEST way. I also get advice (because I'm an adoptive mother) from those who think that my son is just a stand-in until I get "the real thing." Each week I will post a new question. I'd love it if you'd play along and offer us new mothers your pearls of wisdom.
HERE IS THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:
HOW DO YOU JUGGLE CHORES, WORK AND FAMILY TIME?
7 comments:
Very Poorly!!!!
Please give us your tips.
I completely cut out housekeeping:)
Not completely serious, although we did come up with a priority list several years ago. If I can only do 1 thing today, it would be this...Right now the top item is "Get everyone where they need to be, when they need to be there, without yelling"
Same idea when it comes to cleaning. I have a priority list of order, and if I don't get to vacuuming the baseboards I don't sweat it, because I can see the 40 other things I've done.
Good One!!! With my vast one day experience I am going to utilize my lunch break to run errands and such!
Well it's simple...I hired a cleaning company for the 2 things that take the longest (cleaning 1300 sq ft of wood floors and deep cleaning the bathroom). Now, I spend my time keeping my house tidy but much less time than I did before. Otherwise I clean, pay bills, etc when Declan is sleeping (nap time or evening) and sometimes while in the highchair munching on finger foods. Weekends are family time for the most part.
First, I dished out bill paying to my DH...for the first time in almost 12 years (that was a tough one!!! and NO he doesn't do it right, but it gets done).
Cleaning--well, that's a tough one. I figure if the toys are picked up every night, I'm doing okay. I still like to vacuum 2x a week (with 2 goldens, it's a must!), but typically only get it done once. The kitchen floor doesn't get cleaned as often as I'd like, but it's not "horrible". I clean bathrooms when she's watching her movie/Sesame Street (and I'm supposed to be getting ready) or when I'm on the phone with my mom/sister.
I'm a clean freak, but I figure if I can squeeze in the highest priorities, the rest doesn't really matter. The dishes get done when they do. Thankfully, DH is really good at making sure the dishes get done. Everything goes in the dishwasher (except pans), which means I run it almost every day--some days twice!
Honestly, you just have to reduce your standards if you are a clean freak. Your kids are not going to remember how clean your house was, but they will remember if you played with them.
I agree with Debby-very poorly! Here's my 2 cents-Don't juggle. Have a semi-thought out schedule and stick to it if you can. Put out the biggest flames first. Babies are more important than dust bunnies, anyway. And? If you need help getting to those bills, just ask. Those guys are more helpful than they look sometimes!
I divided my chores into days. For example, I do baby laundry on Tuesdays. If a Tuesday is crazy, and it doesn't get done, than I try again the following Tuesday, but I let it go for this week. I also have a babysitter for the chores that require more attention, like paying the bills or mopping.
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