At one week over my due date I was scrubbing the kitchen floor on my hands and knees. When Peanut was born I thought I could let go of the chores but things go even worse. Anything out of order seemed to drive me insane. I started seeing dog hair everywhere. And therefore I would frantically run around the house with a vacuum cleaner anytime Cailey's white hair would make its appearance (which, since it's winter and she has her long winter coat, is all the time). By the time Jon would come home from work I would look like a mad woman pulling my hair out and exhausted from trying to keep the place clean and taking care of the baby.
So my genius husband told me to make a list - something I had done a couple of years ago when I was overwhelmed with something else (I can't even remember now). We talked about the fact that I needed to lower my standards, especially since Peanut got her shots and has all my immunities now. So we came up with a daily chore list that would allow me to feel good about a clean house, but allow things to be just a little less crazy than I'm used to (vacuuming every single day just wasn't in the cards for us anymore).
So I made a list. Then I rewrote it. Then I looked it over and changed it again. (Umm, didn't I just tell you I'm a little crazy like that?) And finally, it was something that would work for our new family. So we hung it up on the mirror in the front hallway/living room. Right next to my two favorite pictures.
And Katie's card.
This gives us Thursday, Friday and Sunday off from doing any chores so we can enjoy some time as a family.
How do you deal with chores in your home?
It used to be that Brad did all the cooking and cleaning around the house. We have MUCH different standards of cleanliness and my timeline drives Brad crazy! For instance, when Brad comes home from a trip he washes every item of clothing he took with him. Immediately. And then as soon as it's done drying he puts it away. I, on the other hand, would live out of my suitcase for the next week, remember to unpack it the following week. And at some point (maybe 3 times a month) do laundry. This drives him INSANE. But, in all honestly, I just don't notice mess. I notice clutter. So I clean when I feel like the house is cluttered. Again, this drives him INSANE. As an act of love I make myself look at the house the way he does and clean for him...not because I think it's messy, but because he would appreciate it. That said, he still did the majority of the chores around the house prior to Zoe's arrival. It wasn't until Zoe was about 4 months old (and I could see straight again) that I started really trying to "keep house" while he was at work. now my goal is for him to come home to a clean downstairs, the bed made, and maybe a load of laundry done. But...those are lofty goals! Most days I get about half of that done.
ReplyDeleteI feel more settled when stuff is one, although I HAAAAAATE doing deeper cleaning chores like scrubbing bathrooms and mopping. To stay on top of daily stuff like dishes, tidying/removing clutter, and making the bed I made myself a checklist. I put that in a plastic binder sleeve and put it up on the fridge. It gives me thrills to check off stuff each day. I even OH SO HELPFULLY put a couple of Husband's things on there, too. He is less thrilled by the process of checking it off :)
ReplyDeleteFor deeper cleaning I have a general schedule to follow, but lo and behold - I don't follow it. Something I'm working on. For now I'm happy to have that structure in place and even happier to have our monthly cleaning service!
ARGH! Lost the comment. Shortened: Ours isn't too set. Sweep the hardwoods about 3x a week, laundry about 3x a week, deep cleaning on weekends, etc. Trying to prepare Chris for lowered standards once the Lion is born, but we shall see. He'll probably still flip out.
ReplyDeleteI love my lists and perfection as well! Are you a Virgo by any chance?
ReplyDeleteToo funny. My husband and I started with "the list" about a month after Katie was born. I couldn't stand the clutter/mess either. :-) And I was either go-go-go and doing too much or too tired and it was all piling up. Brad wanted to help but didn't know how.
ReplyDeleteSo we made the list and I do a few of the light things during the week and save the big stuff for the weekend for Brad. It's worked great so far!
Ironically I make tons of lists for work, but none for my personal life. And it's starting to show on our floors, baseboards, counters, etc. So, inspired by your post I am going to assign Mike and I each one chore per day to see if we can get back on track. Will blog about our progress!
ReplyDeleteToo funny. My husband and I started with "the list" about a month after Katie was born. I couldn't stand the clutter/mess either. :-) And I was either go-go-go and doing too much or too tired and it was all piling up. Brad wanted to help but didn't know how.
ReplyDeleteSo we made the list and I do a few of the light things during the week and save the big stuff for the weekend for Brad. It's worked great so far!
I love my lists and perfection as well! Are you a Virgo by any chance?
ReplyDeleteI feel more settled when stuff is one, although I HAAAAAATE doing deeper cleaning chores like scrubbing bathrooms and mopping. To stay on top of daily stuff like dishes, tidying/removing clutter, and making the bed I made myself a checklist. I put that in a plastic binder sleeve and put it up on the fridge. It gives me thrills to check off stuff each day. I even OH SO HELPFULLY put a couple of Husband's things on there, too. He is less thrilled by the process of checking it off :)
ReplyDeleteFor deeper cleaning I have a general schedule to follow, but lo and behold - I don't follow it. Something I'm working on. For now I'm happy to have that structure in place and even happier to have our monthly cleaning service!