How Do You Keep Up?

[PAMommy1228]

How do you keep up with all of your cleaning? I am going nuts. I wash my floors daily, sweep 3-4 times a day, do the dishes 3-4 times a day, but my house still looks trashed! I can't seem to find balance. And maybe I am being to meticulous, my families always say that it's so clean compared to their house, but I don't think it's good enough.

I used to clean during nap time, but this new kid won't sleep! And will wake all the other kids up unless I am sitting there to make sure he does not get up from his mat.

[sahm1225]

I hired a cleaning lady to come once every 2 weeks that can help do the things that I just don't have the time to do (Windows, move the sofa and clean behind it, wash walls, etc.). I took on a part time child once a week to help pay for that....

[boysx5]

I get up early before daycare starts about two hours before and clean I'm a bit OCD. I clean all four bathrooms vaccumm throw a load of laundry in and mop the floors make my kids lunches then sit for a few minutes to relax before the day starts. It does help that most of my daycare is kept in the basement so I make sure before nap we clean up and after nap its done and we head outside. It is never ending

[PAMommy1228]

I get up early before daycare starts about two hours before and clean I'm a bit OCD. I clean all four bathrooms vaccumm throw a load of laundry in and mop the floors make my kids lunches then sit for a few minutes to relax before the day starts. It does help that most of my daycare is kept in the basement so I make sure before nap we clean up and after nap its done and we head outside. It is never ending

It just stinks because my new kids come at 5:30 am, then 6am, then 7 am. And I have to have my kids and some of the other kids out the door for 7 am, and 7:30 for the bus. I just don't have that time in the morning to wake up. Then my last kids leave at 6 pm. Since it's just my kids and a toddler and her sister, I bring them into the living room and I can watch them while I do dishes and make dinner, but that's all I get done in that hour I only have them. Then once my kids are in bed is when I wash the floors, but I am so tuckered out by the time that comes that I just pass out.

I think I just need a housekeeper, but I don't want to pay anyone.

[DanceMom]

I am actually feeling the same way you are and I have decided to hire a cleaning lady to come once a month to do the deep cleaning - I feel like I am constantly cleaning this house.

I cannot keep up with it anymore. I am picking up and cleaning up daycare things all day everyday...and neglecting the deep cleaning.

[DanceMom]

I hired a cleaning lady to come once every 2 weeks that can help do the things that I just don't have the time to do (Windows, move the sofa and clean behind it, wash walls, etc.). I took on a part time child once a week to help pay for that....

When do you have her come ? Does she come during daycare ?

[katie]

Not sure if I have an answer, but I feel you. I was going to ask this same q. I clean up after every meal, snack, transition. I still feel like it's a mess. And forget it if anyone comes in before 6! It looks like I have not cleaned in a month. ::

[GretasLittleFriends]

I love the thought of hiring a cleaning person to come every other week or so, but my question is how do you let them clean and not feel guilty?

When we have family events at our house, my MIL usually comes the day before and helps me clean. She did daycare for close to 30 years and knows that I can't get it all, all of the time. Yet, I feel horrible when she is here cleaning for me. It honestly makes me feel somewhat inadequate. I love her and GREATLY appreciate the help though, so I just keep my mouth shut.

[melskids]

someone gave me this poem awhile ago, and i dont know who the author is....

excuse my house

some houses try to hide the fact
that children shelter there
mine boasts of it quite openly
the signs are everywhere
for smears are on the windows
littl smudges on the doors
i should apologize i guess
for toys strewn on the floors
but i sat down with my kids today
as we played and laughed and read
and if the furniture doesnt shine
their eyes will shine instead
for when at times i'm forced to choose
from one job or another
i want to have a tidy house
but first i'll be a mother

i have a copy hanging on my (messy) fridge, and when i get overwhelmed by mess, i read it. i try my best to keep up with everything, but it is tough. some things i just had to learn to let go. when you walk in my house, sure it looks clean, just dont open any closets, cupboards, or cabinets...

[legomom922]

I only have infants so it is easier because i dont have the messes with toys and stuff. Generally though I can do some things while they nap, or if they are watching Elmo, I can fold a quick load of laundry. I do work on cleaning in the am too and at night when they leave, like vaccum for the next day. I am OCD so my house is in pretty clean & organizied shape to begin with, and that REALLY helps!

[laundryduchess@yahoo.com]

I have my family help. They live here too, Im not the maid. Husband & girls do dishes, laundry, sweeps and mops if it needs done, clean bathroom, help with toy control, put away things outside. We are a family child care home, The whole family benefits from my income, the whole family benefits from me working at home, the whole family helps keep things flowing.

[TGT09]

I have felt this way for the past year and a half (as long as I've been doing in-home daycare). It doesn't help that my husband is sort of a clean freak (whereas, I'm not). I feel overwhelmed more than I'd like to admit with just the cleaning issue alone. It doesn't help that we are severely running out of space to put things.

[momofsix]

Back when I was homeschooling our children, I realized that there really is no way to have the house of my dreams (clean, nice furniture...), and have a house filled with kids all day. I had to learn to just" let go" of some things for the time being. I tell myself that "someday" I will get to have white carpets and furniture, just not yet! (then my kids tell me that my grandkids will be coming over all the time:::
My house is not "dirty", though it certainly does get messy! One way to stay on top of things is to make sure everything has a place. Rubbermaid totes are a lifesaver! There are some really good "home organization" type books that give really good advice on how to clean in little time/main things to do to make a house look clean/how to organize...well worth the read!

[JJPlaycare]

What do you hire the cleaning lady to do? I am very curious and have talked about doing this for a LONG time! But, honestly I can see myself cleaning my house before she comes! LOL Funny, but so true! I feel so burnt out with the constant cleaning that takes place with always being home! I feel like a day off, like a saturday - what is that - the only thing it means for me is twice the work the next day! Yes I have weekends off with no kids, but no really because all I do on those weekends, is clean, sanitize, organize, laundry, cook and shop for groceries and supplies! Daycare is really a never ending job, it never leaves my mind and it never leaves my life! It isn't just a normal job you can leave and shut the door behind you and it will all be waiting for you Monday morning! It is in my house and I live in it! Please let me know what you have set up with your cleaning lady, as far as her duties and how you prepare for her to come and if this has really benefitted you! Also please let me know if you don't have a cleaning lady what you are looking at having her all do!! : D

[sahm1225]

When do you have her come ? Does she come during daycare ?

A few times it has been during daycare hours, but I actually prefer it on the weekends. It gives me time to do the pick up before she gets here and then we can stay out of her way.

Someone asked what do I have her do - and she does the deep cleaning (she scrubs the bathrooms, floors, cleans the windows, sanitizes the counters and toys, etc.) On a daily basis I have to still sweep and mop and clean the bathrooms and do lots of cleaning, but it is so nice to have someone come in every two weeks and scrub the stuff... Specially the bathrooms!

I have the daycare in the basement and I usually do the cleaning down there (sanitizing toys, vacuum, etc.), but lately the cleaning lady has been running out of things to do so she comes down to the daycare and helps me pick up/clean up.

For those who have never had a cleaning lady - You HAVE to try it. Find a reputable company and do it once. You might feel a little bit guilty at first, but there is nothing like having the house clean how you want it (and you not being exhausted getting it that way!)