How to keep house clean with 2 small children?

[sfombom]

I'm a sahm but i find it hard get everything done.(Dinner and cleaning ) What your day like? how do you get everything done.
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[jackrose]

Simple answer, I don't!

I know that is not particularly helpful if you do want to get everything done but I just can't fit everything in when I am doing it all by myself so my house is never perfect and dinner is not always organised. Some days one of those things is taken care of and I give myself a big gold star! On other days, my kids or my sanity take priority and I get a gold star for taking care of us on those days

To keep things manageable, I try to keep toys in one room, pack them up as we go, have some dedicated quiet time toys that keep the kids focused so I can get another housework job done without interruptions and do jobs with the kids in the room or helping (for example, I clean the bathroom when they are in the bath, get them to help with the washing, pretend cook when I am cooking)

It is not easy though and I have made friends with the mess and chaos in some ways.

PS: Welcome to BB!

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Unless you are frantically cleaning every minute of the day i don't think its possible.

My house is generally a clean messy by that i mean my floors are vacuumed but there are always toys/clothes everywhere. Its near impossible with a toddler to keep the toys in the toy boxes. Plus it only takes a few minutes to put them away at the end of the day. But being heavily pregnant i generally leave them.

Its the washing i have trouble staying on top of but im gettng there slowly!

Welcome to BB!

[Jaycee]

I've come to the conclusion - you just can't

[RockingBaker]

I don't. I pick my battles really. Today I'm doing dishes and washing. DH did the floors (just a sweep). I'm working 12 hours tomorrow and DH will be the SAHD and TBH when I walk in that door I expect chaos. It's very hard to care for 4 kids and a house so we do what we can (just the basics) and do anything big like mopping or bathrooms when the kids are asleep or at daycare.

[Jellyfish]

Change your definition of clean

[Starfish]

Welcome to BB

I agree - it is just not possible to have a spotless house with small children. The best thing to do is to set priorities and realistic expectations. I make sure that the bathroom is cleaned at least once a week and that the kitchen is kept hygenic (so if I don't have the motivation to do the dishes, just rinse and stack them, etc). Vacuuming and sweeping gets done most days as needed. Laundry doesn't always get put away, but meh...

[Butterfly Dawn]

I had a cleaner that would come once a week and that was great, kinda like a reset button. But now i don't have her. Everyday i do floors, wipe clear surfaces,wash the clothes and dishes, if i have extra time or energy i will pick a room and 'spring clean' it.
Bedroom toys stay in their bedroom, lounge toys in lounge and have a box for them to go in.
Our house is a mess but while the kids are small and Im the only 1looking after it- don't care.

Sent from my Galaxy, please forgive the mistakes

[Amaunet]

I agree, you can't keep a house spotless with little kids!

To try and stay on top of things, I find a few little things help...
1. Declutter!!!! Getting rid of excess stuff/junk/clutter makes the house feel cleaner and tidier
2. Have a "place for everything" - makes packing away quick and easy - if there is no "place" get rid of it or something else to make room.
3. Have "systems" and tools which help when cleaning. Eg I keep my cleaning products in the bathroom and shower, so I can clean while I'm in the shower or the kids are in the bath. I also bought a rechargeable vacuum/upright DustBuster so I can do a quick whizz over the floors etc
4. Meal planning allows me to always have meals in the freezer so I don't have to cook from scratch every night.
5. Reset your priorities your children are only little for such a short time, spending time with them is more important (IMO) than a spotless house!

[trishalishous]

easy!
Clean while they are asleep. When they wake, strap them in the highchair to feed and dress them, then leave the house all day.
Buy takeaway for dinner

[MrsFabuloso]

When you figure it out let me know....

[~Kim~]

There's been a little phrase on FB that trying to clean your house with small children is like brushing your teeth while eating oreos

I agree with Amaunet whole heartedly. I have OCD and I can't deal well with mess or dirt or clutter, but with 3 littlies (heck it started with one) I've compromised a lot with myself. Cut yourself some slack. They're only little for such a short time.

[BlackRose]

What Onyx said... Hehehe

[MantaRay]

Change your definition of clean

Yep, that, or keep your eyes closed! The reality is that two littlies keep you very busy and they are small for such a short time. While you can spend quality time with them, spend it without guilt. There is plenty of time for cleaning when the kids are at school and you're not missing time with them to do it.

[Butterfly Dawn]

Onyx that's classic

Sent from my Galaxy with the barefoot princess covering me in kisses, so please forgive the mistakes

[grub17]

personally, I would ask the children to move out and if their father is about, him as well. Only sure way to guarantee your house will stay clean for more than 10 secs.
i'm afraid it's like groundhog day, they make mess as you clean so you'll never win!!!

[Phteven]

^ Genius!! If you think that that's a bit harsh because they are too young to cope on their own, boarding school might be an option.