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: 01-05-2000
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 3:45pm

While I enjoy what I eat and most often chose dishes that I like, eating is something I do to get rid of the hunger pains and the crankiness that I get when I'm hungry. Eating, too often, interferes with what I want to do. So I eat while I'm on the computer (I'm eating lunch as I type), while reading a book, or watching TV. If I could figure out how to eat and sew without getting food all over the fabrics, I would.

Chris

The truth may be out there but lies are in your head. Terry Pratchett

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 3:46pm
Not only is it pretty common knowledge that rice and beans are a perfectly balanced protein, it's also been explained to you, very clearly in this thread.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2003
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 3:46pm
It is cheap, but it's also one of the healthiest things you can eat. Beans and rice have lots of protein, lots of fiber, and if you don't add too much meat/meat-based fat, they are low fat. Plus, they are delicious.
Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 3:46pm
You said you would not serve yogurt & fruit as a meal.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 3:46pm
No, not really. I do know that rice and beans is a cheap meal, no doubt.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 3:47pm
What in the world does that have to do with anything?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 3:48pm
I am not denying it is not healthy or delicious as I have said before I have friends who make rice and beans. Again, it is a cheap meal.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2003
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 3:48pm
There are a whole lot of meals that aren't based on meat, starch, and veggies. Beans, eggs, pastas, tofu, whole grains, etc. It's limiting to only feel you're eating a real meal if meat is involved.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 3:48pm
For a small meal or snack, yes. For dinner, no.


Edited 8/2/2010 3:48 pm ET by cavalleygirlasif
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 3:49pm
Apparently you have an issue with the "cheap meal"?

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