How do you do it with bub and toddler?

[Beaksie]

As the title suggests, Im struggling a tad to keep on top of the house work now that Ive got a new (8 week old) baby, as well as my toddler to look after. What I was wondering, is how do you manage to stay ahead, or DO you stay ahead? And how clean is clean enough for you?
Im a major neat freak, and struggle when the house isnt up to scratch. Now Im not saying it needs to look like a display home, but I like it tidy. Beds made, dishes done, benches and table cleared, bathrooms clean- ish etc. I'm really struggling to find the time, especially when my cyclone of a daughter waltzes through and undoes all my hard work. Any suggestions? What do you find works for you, without spending every waking hour doing housework....

[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

[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.

[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.

[Visitor8]

I am a neat freak too, to some extent I had to let that go when Ashton came along. My house is pretty much always tidy but not the the spotless extent it was before.

I do it by teaching the older 2 to pack away what they are playing with BEFORE they play with something else.

Then when they are in bed, and Ash is either asleep or happy playing I clean up. I do this EVERY night, if I leave it even ONE night it takes longer the next day because the kids are up and I am busy.

Once you get in the swing of it, it's actually quite easy

[Beaksie]

Thanks for the replies chicks! Im actually doing OK today, have FINALLY folded and put away the huge basket of washing that I hid in the spare room on Tues when visitors showed up
Generally speaking I keep the place "visitor ready". You dont want to open cupboards, but it at least looks presentable, and as long as toilets and bathrooms are clean etc, I can handle the rest. Gotta live here afterall!
I find the main thing that makes life easier, is doing a quick tidy, and always leaving the kitchen clean before I go to bed. Makes the morning run a lot easier, when everthing else goes to hell (lol)
I suppose the main issue Im having, is clutter. I desperately need to go through the kids toys, and clothes, as well as really be ruthless with my own stuff. It feels like no matter how many times I do this though, we just reaccumulate more stuff. THis especially the case, with all the gifts we were given after DS' birth, and Christmas. It's sooo hard to get the time atm, but hey I know it's only for a short time, and Id rather cuddle my kids a bit longer, and of course get on BB

[DoubleK]

if clutter is the main issue, see if you can tackle it one weekend. perhaps buy a stack of plastic tubs, just do a quick fly around the house
-too-small clothes/shoes'
-unused baby gifts'- i had a heap of this stuff.. which i have passed on to friends family when they've had babies.
-photos
-paperwork for filing/sorting
etc

i have tubs for EVERYTHING not all of them are packed neatly, some have been sorted through, but thats another step in decluttering.

apart from that, i have days where i keep on top of thingsm, and then if we're out all day.. i seem to lose ot again, then it takes a day to get organised, then im right for a day or two, untill we're out again, and the place is a pig sty.

[Bathsheba]

LOL after struggling with this for 6 years I have decided to try to just live with the chaos. I do things sporadically... usually depending on whether I have had a good night's sleep the night before. One day when my children are older and all at school I will regain control... until then I am determinded not to get stressed out about it anymore... really, I am

[CrazyLady]

I was a neat freak while pregnant but now I figure as long as the house is hygenic then I'm winning. As long as you can take a step without swearing then you're good!

[Mak]

I am trying to reprogram myself too! The house is clean just messy with toys, shoes etc.... I do make beds in the mornings as everyone gets up - doonas so no drama. Also I try to pop dishes into the dishwasher straight away and the rest sits in the sink until after dinner. I am lucky as we can keep all the kids stuff in our back room - so we have a clean lounge to escape to if I need a break (I have realised I am turning into my parents ). I also only do a quick tidy after lunch and when the kids go to bed - otherwise I'd be doing it ALL day. I try to cook bulk meals and freeze so we have stuff on hand for the days it all gets a bit crazy! I figure if everyone is fed and happy - they don't care about things being neat (well except me, lol). Be kind to yourself!!!!

[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????!!!!