How to do it all. That seems like the holy grail of answers. We all have those friends or maybe you are THAT WOMAN. The one we all love, yet a little part of us is envious. The one that had a baby sick all night, got all of her laundry done, her dishes are washed, her house is almost spotless and she still has a smile on her face. I often wonder if she’s actually going crazy inside and it’s one of those smiles that means she’s about to break in half.
Those ladies drive me nuts because I don’t have a baby (unless you could the ones out in the barn that I have), my house is always a mess, I always have laundry and usually my smile means I’m going crazy. I’m in my mid-20s, have been married for a year and obviously we are thinking of a family in the future. I cannot imagine at this point bringing another life into the mix. Between the long and strange hours I work on the farm, the writing, the cleaning, the laundry, the everything else that I take care of I cannot imagine becoming a mother too.
I’ve been told by a lot of friends who are moms that you just do it. But if I did anything else I’m not sure when I would sleep.
So here I am, asking all of you amazing, busy moms; How do you do it all? What are some tips you have that help you keep everything flowing and moving in your house?
The best thing you will ever do for YOURSELF is spend the money for someone to come in once a week and do your floors and bathrooms. The rest of the time set the timer for 15 minutes and you and your husband take that time to tidy up the house every night. (your husband will love me for that one) It’s amazing what you can get done in 15 minutes and with those handy dandy DVR’s you wont miss a thing but a few commercials. We make choices, we aren’t perfect and we for sure aren’t all the same.
Yes Helen, I don’t think my husband will appreciate that suggestion. I always think about getting someone to come help keep the house clean but I just never do it 🙂
First of all, YOU cannot compare yourself to others young lady! We all have different priorities in life. We all have different wants and needs. We all have different schedules and sleeping patterns. People get things done because they WANT them done. If they don’t, they won’t.
I am not a mom but I always have a spotless house. It’s something I take pride in. It’s like a “hobby”… maybe a lame hobby, but I enjoy it I am that girl that makes all my friends sick and they always ask me how I do it. Even when I was working 50+ hours away from home and during harvest it was still spotless.
First of all, you have to really want a clean house. Second of all, you have to start with a really clean house and maintain it with a schedule of discipline. What works for me is, get it out, put it away. Don’t go to bed until the dishes are done and the kitchen is clean. I can’t drink morning coffee in a dirty kitchen.
Every morning before I shower, I get up earlier than I need to and do 20 minutes of a cleaning task (Mop floors Monday, Dust Tuesdays, Bathrooms Wednesday, etc.etc). I’m always keeping the cycle going. And if I miss a task one of the days, screw it. I will get it next week. Life happens sometimes.
I always do a load of laundry a day from start to finish. Doesn’t matter if it’s 5 wash cloths. Doesn’t matter if it’s 11 at night and I just want to go to bed.. I force myself to fold for that 15 extra minutes.
You’ll also find that different cleaning products and appliances can help make your life easier. I have gone through three different mops since I have been married, finally finding one that is quick and WORKS. Really cuts back on cleaning time when you find easy tools you enjoy using.
Hang in there. Seriously. Figure out what works for YOU! My smile is genuine. I never feel like I am going crazy… only time I feel “crazy” is if there is a crumb on my counter or kitty litter all over my laundry room 😉
Oh, p.s. I may have a spotless house at all times but I also have a secret over-flowing laundry basket hidden in my closet at all times because I hate putting my clothes away… so there.. everyone has their failures in life 🙂
Whew, good to know! I was starting to think you were too perfect and we couldn’t be friends anymore 😉
I think you hit the nail on the head Kelly. I have to want to keep my house clean. I won’t lie, I don’t enjoy cleaning. I wish I could hire a house cleaner.
But I do like the idea of having a different job each day. I have started getting up before I need to go out to work because I get more accomplished on those days. It’s a great time to throw food in the crock pot, write, or clean something.
I have also started the load of laundry a day too! I read that on a blog and thought it was a great idea. When I get behind because I’m gone I can tell because it takes me a long time to catch up.
Thanks for the pep talk 🙂 I needed it and the advice is great.
I am not perfect by any means… I do the best I can! I have rotting bananas in my fruit basket.. Kitchen trash that needs taken out and I have a cob web over my front door. And I have three pairs of cowboy boots sitting on the stairs that need carried up. Oh and a dryer full of whites that I have restarted 3 times today. Been thinking about those things all day but I just don’t want to do it. I’m in a coming-down-with-the-flu-funk. We just have to take one day at a time! I was hoping my earlier comment didn’t overwhelm you.. I just enjoy sharing my “tips”! 🙂
And also, I would give anything to have your job on the dairy…. I would even probably trade for a messy house 🙂
I loved your tips, seriously! I just need to suck it up and get things done. Everyone has those days where you just don’t want to do anything and I think it’s okay to take advantage of those!