A Neat and Clean House vs Children

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2007
A Neat and Clean House vs Children
2597
Tue, 07-27-2010 - 8:35am

For those of you who like a neat and clean house, how do you keep it that way with children?

I find that if I am tied to goal of having a neat and clean house, I become a raging shrew against my children as they proceed to undo all the neatness I have worked so hard to attain. If I made a "neat and clean house" my goal, my children would not have their messy projects that take days/weeks to complete. My children would not pick up a book (casually left out)as they walk through the family room and browse through- discovering once again the mother actually knows about a few good books. I would let them watch more tv/computer time, as they don't make things as messy when they do. I would squash their ideas if I thought it would make too much of a mess. I wouldn't let them cook/experiment in the kitchen- as it is usually more work for me to clean up after they have "cleaned up". So, how do you inspire creativity and imagination in a neat and clean house? Are you on top of them to put things away as soon as they are done even if it is temporary? Where do you put the legos?....... Have you ever allowed them to take over the living room with all of their toys arranged in a city complex (thomas the train things were the Metro, legos and blocks were the buildings....)? How long would it stay up? Would let it be up for the summer so they could add to and change tings around as they got new ideas? Or allowed them to take over half of the family room for a month+ while they build and live in a beaver lodge (using all the empty shoe and other boxes and some that weren't empty)? Even if you have to walk around it everyday to get to the kitchen? Or do you require that all toys be put away everyday?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2009
Fri, 07-30-2010 - 8:47pm

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I agree.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2003
Fri, 07-30-2010 - 8:48pm
If I were making a roast, hashbrown casserole, carrots, salad, and fresh fruit and the only thing my DD wouldn't eat was the roast, I wouldn't feel a need to fix anything else for her. I'd just make sure to fix something protein rich that she liked for breakfast the next morning or dinner the next day.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2009
Fri, 07-30-2010 - 8:49pm

That's my point. I also do not think it is appropriate to gag at something someone made so for me the best option is to politely refuse foods I do not like.

I don't think it has anything to do with defective taste buds but I do think that there are differences in people's taste buds.

I do not like anything that taste extremely sweet (fudge, anything made with sweetened condensed milk), it tastes too sweet to me. That does not even make sense to my DH, how can any thing be two sweet. But if the picky/non picky theory is correct then we are tasting two different things when we eat the same fudge. He is tasting a nice sweet treat, I am tasting something that is too sweet and does not taste good.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2009
Fri, 07-30-2010 - 8:49pm
I might have to kick you off my friends list.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2009
Fri, 07-30-2010 - 8:50pm

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And I already said to you about 100 posts ago, that I could see how that worked with baking.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Fri, 07-30-2010 - 8:51pm

and that works for you...that is great.


I do what works for our family.


I see my friends dealing with the same supper issues as I so if my kids were there they would cater to mine just like I'd cater to theirs here.


That is what works for us in our world.


I just don't think there is a right answer, it is up to individuals to decide for themselves.


Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2009
Fri, 07-30-2010 - 8:52pm
That would only be a problem if someone is serving a meal that consists only of beans.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2003
Fri, 07-30-2010 - 8:54pm
Holiday meals are kind of a nightmare for me as far as meal planning goes. My parents (who will eat pretty much anything served to them) prefer fatty, creamy side dishes. My dad hates garlic. The rest of the family loves garlic, especially my step-FIL who loves garlic mashed potatoes. My MIL does not eat red meat or beans or many kinds of vegetables-- especially those cooked in creamy or fatty sauces. My BIL does not like mashed potatoes. My sister does not like chocolate or the jello dessert that is tradition in our family for Christmas dinner. Thank goodness my aunt doesn't show up-- she refuses to eat onions. Or DH's aunt, who is a (recent) vegetarian.
Avatar for turtleemom
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2007
Fri, 07-30-2010 - 8:55pm

I understand your POV on this.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Fri, 07-30-2010 - 8:56pm

Where did I say my teenager doesn't cook. My teenager does cook and is very good in the kitchen. Makes the family homemade pizzas, often prepares lunch for the little ones, makes homemade macaroni & cheese just to start off the long list.


BUT when the teenager is walking in from a long afternoon of marching band in the heat

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

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