Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Mothers Unite! ...that is if you haven't already figured this out yet like me.

Starting on Monday I am going to have a cleaning schedule. I know most of you already have systems in place for this sort of thing, but it takes me years to change...if I am lucky to change at all! I am tired of constantly worrying about all I have to get done and feeling overwhelmed and frustrated of the NEVER ending house duties. I realize that I will NEVER be "all caught up", because just as soon as you can say that the cycle starts all over again. So I have decided to have a cleaning schedule (which I hope to do while Tate is taking his afternoon nap). I have also decided that I will not consume my thoughts with what needs to get done, because I already know that there is a set aside time to do all the work and there is no need to worry about it. I am REALLY excited about this!!! I think it will help me to feel better and more productive during my week. If any of you want to join me in this little venture please leave me a comment and tell your friends as well.
For example, here is my weekly schedule:

Monday: Bathrooms
Tuesday: Floors & Dust
Wednesday: Bedrooms & Tidy up
Thursday: Kitchen
Friday: Laundry & Ironing
Saturday: Grocery Shopping, as well as family chores: cars, yard work, basement, desk and mail

10 comments:

Kristen said...

Hey guess what... This was my New Years resolution! I've always had a schedule but never used it, but this year I have and it is AWESOME! My house is more consistently DEEP cleaned and I never feel guilty about cleaning and my kids even think it's fun. (Plus Ben knows when the laundry fairy is visiting.) I was about to post my schedule on my blog, because I've heard that if you can stick with a good goal for 6 weeks, it becomes a long-term habit... It's been 6 weeks into the new year and I'm still going! Hooray! Whoa sorry for the super long post, but I'm excited for me AND for you. Good luck!!!

Heidi said...

So, this has been one of mine, too. I'm doing better, but not as good as I would like. I've had to make some adjustments, and I'm actually going to try now to make a big check list and make sure I get everything done by Sat because some days, I don't get a break with Macie and Lindsay asleep together, or something comes up and I don't get that day done, so I skip it.
Anyway, long story. I'm proud of you, but I think your house is always perfect when I'm there.

erica e said...

good for you for getting serious about this. its so hard to juggle all the mom jobs. especially when most of these are no fun! this was one of my new years resolutions too. i think this will be an ongoing challenge for me because as my kids get older and their needs and schedules change i'm going to constantly have to reconfigure my own schedule. i've kind of made a loose schedule for myself of what needs to get done and then try to remember it but don't beat myself up for not following it. Keep us posted on what works for you and how you are able to stay on track. I need inspriation!

Ashley said...

I've tried to make schedules in the past and never stuck to them, but maybe if we keep tabs on each other we will have more success. So, I accept the challenge!! My question is, how do you keep all those toys organized yet accessible? Any ideas ladies?

Kristen said...

It might depend on the setup of your house, but this works for us: We have 4 big storage bins (18 gal?) that the boys know as the car box, ball box, soft animal box, and hard toy box. Anything that doesn't fit in these goes into our storage closet. For toys that come in sets like Legos, I have individual bags and buckets and we keep those in the closet too. If they want a new one out, they have to clean up the previous one. It's not as much micro-managing as it may sound, and don't forget the other four boxes are free reign any time. The boys (2 & 4) know that any toys on the floor when it's time for bed get put into the closet and they won't see them for a few days. A few exceptions to all these rules are the big ones like a slide, rocking horse, Diego's rescue center, etc. Those are just nicely arranged around the edge of the room -- so yeah we look like a toy room but we have kids! This has been a work in progress but I'm happy with where we are. Those are my ideas...

Kristen said...

Me again. I just noticed the title of Jennica's post again, the "if you haven't already figured this out yet like me." And now I'm worried that I sound like a know-it-all. I don't have it all together! I'm desperately trying to get my life in a state of peace. It's a two step forward, one step backward process for me. So I'm sharing my forward steps. There are plenty of backward ones if you want to hear them too! And even the ideas I've shared might end up flopping eventually. The only thing I will never resign myself to is "oh well, we have kids, so of course it's a disaster around here." =o) I hope you don't kick me off here for writing too much!

Adhis said...

[large angry mom mob chanting]
KICK HER OFF! KICK HER OFF! KICK HER OFF!
[/chanting]

Jennica said...

Kristen, you are hilarious! Of course you are not writing too much. If you like me, each comment is very welcomed and I look forward to seeing what you all have to say. Your system for organizing toys is one that my oldest sister does, and it works. In my opinion, it is the best system out there!

Kristen said...

Excuse me? It sounds like somebody is trying to start a civil war here. =o)
ps - Are the moms large or the mobs? It DOES make a difference. I'm kind of a wimp.

Kristen said...

Well at least somebody wants me around, thanks Jennica. I hope Adhis can stifle the revolt. Thanks ladies, time for my nap.