One day, when my children were even smaller, I realized that instead of being a stay-home mom, I was Alice from the Brady Bunch. Somewhere Carol was off having fun with the kids while I was keeping the house. Since there really was no Carol, I realized that my kids were, instead, doing things without me. And frequently begging for my attention. And they were little. Like one and three. I was missing all the fun bonding stuff because I was doing laundry or vacuuming. I had to get a plan for this because I was missing too much for no real gain. But, I REALLY can't stand it when my house is dirty. What to do...
I organized my to-do list.
It's an incredibly simple concept. And an old one, to boot. You'll be surprised you didn't think of it earlier. First, make a list of all the household chores that need to be done weekly. Then, make a weekly "chore" list and stick to it as much as possible. It may be awful the first week as you let some things go, but by week two it will be coming together. With a list like this, you (in rotation) get everything done - one chore a day. That leaves you quite a bit of free time to enjoy life.
Here is my list as an example:
Monday - Laundry (wash/dry)
Tuesday - Laundry (fold & put away)
Wednesday - Clean Bathrooms
Thursday - Clean Kitchen
Friday - Floors (swiffer/mop/vaccuum)
I always do my best to get this one simple chore done a day if I can - even if I have to stay up late to do it - but, life can still throw you off track. If you miss a day for some reason, just double up the next day. Whatever it takes. It's still better knowing that once you get that one thing (or even two things) done that you can and should stop. The rest will be done, in turn, later.
Here at my house, Mondays and Tuesdays are the worst. I hate laundry. But I hate it even more when there is ALWAYS laundry to do. It gets overwhelming to me and I feel like it's getting the best of me. Never any progress. Always laundry to do. So, I buck up and get it overwith and then forget it for the other five days. Your chore list will be different. Your family has different needs. But, you get the idea.
You probably noticed that I left grocery shopping off. Intentionally. My grocery list changes too much for me to put it on a regular schedule. I run out of things and need things for this or that at irregular times. Or right now. Plus, sometimes an evening will work better - after Tony is home. Or he may stop and pick up a few things on his way home from work. But you may need to work it into your week's schedule. Whatever works for you.
With this weekly schedule method, the house is never THAT bad. Sure, the floors may need vaccumming, but it'll happen. On Friday.
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