You Asked For It

I have had a few emails asking about my housekeeping schedule and how I find time to undertake tasks like cleaning out my closet.
How do you find time to do such a large project like organizing your closet with a small baby? Do you have help with housework? Do you have any tips for keeping up with housework?

Honestly I am flattered- but am not sure that I am the most qualified person to give advice! That being said- here I go!!
First off, I do not have any help. I am the help. (Mike is really good about helping out when he can, but overall it's all me.) I am a neat freak and I like a clean house. Since having a baby I have had to make some adjustments, while I haven't lowered my standards, I have lowered my expectations. I could choose to have a super clean house at all times, but I feel like I wouldn't be the kind of mother and wife that I want to be. But I still like a clean house. Right now my method for keeping things under control is staying on top of things and not getting behind. (as much as possible!) So this means that I try to keep each day contained- any mess that is made gets cleaned up that day. I run the dishwasher every day, usually one load of laundry each day, I vacuum every other day, and I straighten up every night before bed. Every day I have a room that I clean up in addition to the daily routine. Monday is our bedroom, Tuesday is the living room, Wednesday is Hannah's room and the bathrooms, Thursday is Mike's office, Friday is the kitchen and laundry room. I try not to spend all weekend cleaning so I don't plan on doing anything, but I will use weekends to catch up on anything that didn't get done or bigger projects. Cleaning out our closet is a big project so I planned a Saturday for it. Sometimes smaller (big) projects are broken up throughout the week, but I try to be realistic and I know that I only have so long each day to get things done.
How do I get things done with Hannah- she is mobile now so my methods are ever changing but right now I fold most of our laundry in Hannah's room in the mornings while she is playing. I also open mail, make my grocery list, clip coupons, etc. in Hannah's room. I clean up the kitchen and switch over laundry after her meals while she is in her high chair with a teething treat or board book. (our laundry room is right off the kitchen so please no emails advising me on the perils of leaving my child unsupervised in the highchair). My daily cleaning project gets done in the afternoon while Hannah naps. Some days everything gets done- others not so much. Some days things get shifted, for example this morning Hannah pooped in the tub during her bath. So today I cleaned our bathroom, and our room did not get dusted or vacuumed. I've had to adjust that this is how things are going to be during this season of life. I have lots of random tips, but this post has gone on enough as it is, so for the next few Mondays I will share other ideas. If you have any specific questions- email me and I will try to answer them. (this feels strange- again I am no expert!) Anyway, I hope this answers your questions!

Comments

[skiplovey]

Wow that's some schedule. I wish I could keep to a schedule like that.