How do you get it done?

[ruvalokiteshvara]

Originally Posted by keonli Hehe, I thought I was the only one who would let laundry sit in a basket for days. They're folded, but I just can't muster up the energy to put them away. I actually feel so disgusted with myself over this that I hide the basket away in the spare room.

We justify it to ourselves by saying that all DS's clothes get worn in a more even rotation if we don't put the clean clothes away immediately...

[marvelous]

Well I simply don't do it. DH sort of helps with putting the dishes in the dish washer, but he is so slow about emptying the dish washer that dishes pile up in the sink and I don't get the clean kitchen I want. He NEVER wipes off the counters or stove, but when I get frustrated and start cleaning at 8:30 at night, then he's all, "No I'll get that."

DD is at the age where she is starting to help. She empties the silverware out of the dishwasher, but can't reach all the cabinets to put the other dishes away. She makes her bed when asked and puts her own clean laundry away. She'll grab towels or laundry baskets when I am doing laundry so that is helpful in many ways.

We have help that comes in once a month, but that only keeps us on track for about a week. It is still worth it because they do the big stuff, but it starts to fall apart after that. I'm tired of having arguments about it so I'm resolved that this is just how its going to be. DH will never see it my way (I've tried) so I stay exhausted. I do all the kids' laundry, the majority of the grocery shopping, coupon clipping, budgeting, most of the bills, taxes, and light cleaning etc. He takes care of all the outside stuff, fixing stuff, etc, so I leave it at that. It is certainly not fair, but that's just how it is.

Can you tell this is a sore spot with me?

[mmlsmom]

I work just as many hours as my husband so in order for us to make it he doesn't get away with taking a back seat to anything: child rearing, food prep, or house work! He lives here, eats the food, wears the clothes, and "made" these kids with me so from day one he had to man up and HELP. I know that I am very lucky and have a very willing participant in our lives with my husband and lots of women don't but I also see lots of my friends "let" their husbands be hands off and spend lots of time complaining about not getting enough help- even the greatest men need a goose in the butt to wake up to PARTNERSHIP......our greatest weapon is Sunday night planning. We look at work and school schedules, lunch menus, appointments and set a game plan as to who is going to do what-when-with which kid, so it all gets done EQUALLY! this has made everything a lot easier and no fighting because it was already laid out in a non-stressful game plan session. Good Luck

[Ten]

It's hard. DH is an unemployed SAHD, and he does NOTHING to clean up after himself or the baby. Last night I got home and did chores nonstop while holding DD; he played video games and watched movies - and threw a snit when I asked him to wash HIS dishes (I'd already done mine), which had been piling up since Saturday.

That said, I've learned to do everything while holding DD - except loading the washer with dirty dipes. I streamline where I can - I think I'll start a new post for timesaving tips. And I give myself credit for doing my best against the landslide.

- pin socks together so I don't h

[kocho]

Originally Posted by Sylvie89 I have given up having a clean house. I also only get about 6 hours a night - but that is mostly because DS is attached to me from 2AM to 5:30 AM when I have to get up for work. It is exhausting. I wish I could work 3 days a week, that would be manageable.

I gave up too. IF DH wants the house clean, he can clean it. He's the only one who gets time off while the kids are in school. He sleeps it away. I am not the maid. He wanted me to work. He can't expect me to do all the stuff I did when I was home. I simply don't have time and I think I should get to have a life too.

[KrystleO_1027]

I don't.

I'm a WOHM and a single mom, that works 2nd shift (3-11:30). By the time i get home from work (midnight) i'm so exhausted i don't do anything but snack, wind down for a few and sleep. During the day it's errands, appointments, and entertaining DS (just turned 3). I start getting ready for work at 1, leave at 2 to get DS to daddy's house (grandma watches him until daddy gets home from work).

I like this shift because i'm home during more of DS's awake time and i can get things done during the day (bank, post office, dr. appointments etc). I feel like i SHOULD have time to get things done, but my house is trashed, constantly.

I hate that if i have a visitor i need to know days in advance so i can make the house presentable. If people were to just show up, i would be embarrassed

[KrystleO_1027]

Originally Posted by keonli Hehe, I thought I was the only one who would let laundry sit in a basket for days. They're folded, but I just can't muster up the energy to put them away. I actually feel so disgusted with myself over this that I hide the basket away in the spare room.

We both (DS and I) have closets and dressers, but we basically live out of baskets. I feel accomplished if i fold the laundry the same day it's done, and manage to sort the clothes.

[amandajiggles]

I'm out of the house 5 days a week, DH is out 6. I have chosen more quality time with DD and less frantic cleaning time. The dishes are always done, food is always cooked (or ordered in... *BLUSH*), laundry is clean but rarely put away. Toys are picked up but the floors are constantly in need of sweeping/mopping. As long as our basic needs are met and there are not dangerous messes or REALLY dirty floors I'm happy. It frustrates me to no end but you will never enjoy the time with your kids if you're constantly cleaning up after them.

Get your rest, spend time with the family and the rest will get done in time.I try to get 1-2 tasks done a day. Mon-Fri.. that usually means dinner/dishes, cleaning up toys.

On the weekends it's 3 a day laundry & bathroom & groceries, or laundry & bathroom & floors etc. It does feel like it never gets done but as long as you get SOMETHING done... be happy with yourself.

[kai_e]

We both do the chores - that is pretty much a necessity. I find it makes it less overwhelming if we both take part of the job and "own it" if that makes sense.

DH - takes laundry from upstairs and puts it in/rotates it
Me - fold and put away laundry

DH - cooks almost all meals
Me - clean up the table and kitchen after dinner

Saturday morning is our designated clean up morning. Right now the schedule is thrown off because DH is building our new house so I have the boys by myself on the weekends while he works but I still make it a point to clean the bathrooms. I have the kids (3 1/2 and 2) "help" by dusting the rooms right next to me. They each have their own swiffer wand and they play swords and try to dust.

We take turns vacuuming and steam mopping every night - he does one part and I do the other.

[jamieism]

We share pretty equally. He does the food shopping and cooking. I do the kids to school and after school, but then he takes them off on the weekends so I can catch up on work. We both do laundry, but I do most of the folding and we are often way behind. It all gets washed, but it sometimes takes through the week to be folded, and is only put away when we have run out of baskets.

House is mostly - well, always- pretty and could be cleaner, but dishes are done every night, and I usually do the kitchen floor once a week. We both wipe down the bathroom, so that gets done a couple times a week as well. He makes sure the trash and recycling get put out. I pay the bills.

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