How do you do it with bub and toddler?

[Tinks]

I so know how you feel. I used to get all the major cleaning done while the kids were having their sleeps but my house never seemed to be as clean as my friends houses. Or maybe it was just that I saw what wasn't done in my own house.

[~Saram~]

Well, I'm not the best person to reply as my house is far from display home standard. I try to choose the jobs that are most important and save the rest for another day or when hubby is home. I often used to do some jobs with my youngest in a carrier but with a older child as well everything takes a lot longer. But it does get easier. When DD was about 6mths she was a lot happier to play for longer periods and I could get things done, wash up wish her in her high chair etc. Now at 21mth I won't say it's easy but it's a lot easier then the newborn - 1 yr period.

Relax and remember you are only one person and you need time to relax as well!

[PlonkeeMumma]

I think the best thing is for you not to worry as much - i know easier said than done if you are a bit of a neat freak but you'll end up completely tiring yourself out trying and feeling down when it's not perfect and it's just not worth it. I try and get the house looking tidy once everyone has gone to bed but i don't spend hours at it or i wouldn't get any me time at all. It's not as neat and tidy as i'd like but i figure it's not going to be forever and like you say, as soon as the little darlings wake up it's like a hurricane has been through anyway so try not to stress. Don;t mentally beat yourself up about it - just know that it;s not really to the standard that you'd choose but short of spending very little time with your kids and banning toddler to a very small place in the house, it's how it's going to be for a few years.

Julie x

[Butterfly Dawn]

Some days I can get it all done, I wipe surfaces, tidy bedrooms and wash clothes in the morning, do dishes and mop/vacume in the afternoon and when people are home that can watch the kids- at night or on the weekend, then I really clean, and before I go to bed I give it a quick tidy. Feels like Im always doing something and somedays it all goes out the window.

[cindyb]

I have to say that my house is always CLEAN but in no way would anyone say tidy! I always have toys to put away and clothes to fold in a massive pile and dishes to be done and benches to be tidied, I dont make beds as a general rule but atleast i know the toilet/floors/clothes/yard/bathroom/kitchen is always clean!

My mum always told me that you have to priorotise and that the kids come way before anything else! The cleaning will always be there, its never ending, but you never know whats going to happen when it comes to those we love.

[LucaJack'sMum]

I so know how you feel. I used to get all the major cleaning done while the kids were having their sleeps but my house never seemed to be as clean as my friends houses. Or maybe it was just that I saw what wasn't done in my own house.

Tinkerbell, I feel EXACTLY the same way... everyones house is always cleaner then mine????!!!!