Working mums, how do you keep ontop of the housework?

[Kazbah]

RH - I'm in the same boat, I take Pip out each weekend so DH can do renos, it means that when we're home on the weekend I am only home when he's asleep ... so can't do loud things!
Doh! Hence why the cleaner ...

[fionas]

I shouldn't be posting in here because I haven't found the secret! We keep on top of dishes, clothes and the kitchen (which if you saw our kitchen is no mean feat!) BUT I can't tell you the last time I properly mopped the floors. If I can't tell that it's dirty then it ain't in my opinion. Sure I will wipe off food DD flings from the high chair but day-to-day dirt that I can easily ignore, I will.

I can't stand stuff on rugs and carpets though and bought a cordless vacuum cleaner. I have a dodgy back so big vacuum cleaners are just too heavy for me and the cordless one is BRILLIANT. No messing about lugging it out of a cupboard and plugging in, you just grab the cordless and things look presentable very quickly. I'm so in love with the thing, I often use it three times a day and marvel at my new-found domesticity.

I would really like a more tidy home but given that DP and I are both quite messy and we currently have very limited storage space, that's a work in progress.

Like someone else has said ... just work out what's essential for you. For me, it's a cleared kitchen bench (so I can cook), clean dishes and vacuumed rugs/carpets in the bedroom plus dirty clothes in the hamper and folded clothes in another hamper or ideally put away.

If someone forensically tested my hard floors, I'd fail miserably but ya know what ... DD has been to the doctors once in two years so I'm all for the dirt building immunity argument.

[Turkish Delight]

I am a self confessed clean-a-holic.

I worked 38 hours until recently, which i have now reduced to 30 hours per week.

I prepare my dinner from the night before, so i am always one day ahead.

Wash all the dishes before going to bed.

Always do a load of washing every night and hang to dry (whether it be inside on the clothes horse or outside if it's going to be a nice day the next day).

I iron once a week (in the evening whilst waching tv)

Vacuum everyday after dinner. I must vacuum everyday.

Clean the toilets once every 2-3 days, clean the baths, sinks and showers once a week.

Mop the timber once every fortnight.

Make the beds straight after arriving home from work.

Help with DS's homework whilst preparing tomorrow night's dinner.

I threaten DS to pack his toys away or they end up in the bin.

I am constantly doing something ar home. I never sit or relax. DH is fantastic too. He helps me with the chores. I usually do the bulk of my chores on my day off or on the weekend. DH never used to help me but with constant nagging he's turned out to be a gem. i like seeing my house like a display home.

[alioops]

We are a work in progress on learning a routine, but we are getting there. DH likes to read a book or watch TV (especially if Top Gear is on ) for an hour after the girls go to bed to de-stress from the day, and then he gets right into the cleaning. The first thing he does is load the dishwasher, and then he loads the washing machine. While they are running he cleans the toys up and all those other bits and pieces that accumulate. I have written a list of what *should* be done and how often it needs to be done, like the daily, weekly and monthy chores. When I am back on my feet the chores should be much quicker to get done, as when DH is doing them I am inspired to do them.

[danniellabella]

I am a self confessed clean-a-holic.

I worked 38 hours until recently, which i have now reduced to 30 hours per week.

I prepare my dinner from the night before, so i am always one day ahead.

Wash all the dishes before going to bed.

Always do a load of washing every night and hang to dry (whether it be inside on the clothes horse or outside if it's going to be a nice day the next day).

I iron once a week (in the evening whilst waching tv)

Vacuum everyday after dinner. I must vacuum everyday.

Clean the toilets once every 2-3 days, clean the baths, sinks and showers once a week.

Mop the timber once every fortnight.

Make the beds straight after arriving home from work.

Help with DS's homework whilst preparing tomorrow night's dinner.

I threaten DS to pack his toys away or they end up in the bin.

I am constantly doing something ar home. I never sit or relax. DH is fantastic too. He helps me with the chores. I usually do the bulk of my chores on my day off or on the weekend. DH never used to help me but with constant nagging he's turned out to be a gem. i like seeing my house like a display home.

Can I adopt you?

I am going to try and clean the bathroom while DD is having her bath at night and tidy up the lounge while watching TV. I decided that starting tonight I'm going to get DD to "help" me pack up her toys in the lounge (that's where they live) before her bath.

I think TBH the clutter in my house is too far gone now. We're moving as soon as we have enough money for a bond or in October (whichever comes first) so when we are in a new home I'll start fresh.

[Turkish Delight]

I recently bought DD (22 months) a little basket for her to carry and collect her toys into. I turn it into a game.

DD also helps me out! She can say "help, help". She helps me hang the wet clothes up to dry by giving me a peg or giving me the pieces of garments to hang. She carries the peg basket in and i carry the laundry basket. She also helps me put the dry clothes in the laundry basket when i get them off the line.

She helps me empty out the dishwasher, by giving me the plates and cups to put away (from the dishwasher).

You have to train them whilst their young

[danniellabella]

I told DH that starting tonight I'm going to start teaching DD to pack up her toys before bathtime. I'm expecting for the first while she'll pull toys out as I put them away.

[Turkish Delight]

Good on you Danni. If you persist, Jazz will soon learn. They are smart little creatures!