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: 03-02-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 4:03pm
Again, I do not consider rice and beans a meal for myself.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 4:03pm
We both lov Foodnetwork and dh likes to cook!

Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 4:07pm

My Mom will have a meal that just consists of beans and I think that is fine, both for taste & nutrition of course.


For dh and I (and my Dad) feel we have to enjoy pork chop, piece of chicken, slice of meatloaf SOMETHING. Or it isn't satisfying meal. While ITA that yogurt and fruit for example is a meal, it wouldn't be satisfying.


Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 4:08pm
My grandmothers never cooked beans what they didn't fry up country ham or maybe roast a chicken as examples with it but they didn't just serve beans.

Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2000
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 4:08pm

Why just limit the protein part of the meal to meat? A meal of rice, beans, and a salad satisfies your criteria of "meat (protein: beans), starch (the rice), and veggie (the salad). So would mac and cheese with a veggie side or cheese pie and a veggie. Sloppy joes and a salad would also work if you insist the protein be animal flesh. Or do you need them to be 3 separate dishes to be considered a meal?

Chris

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

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 4:09pm
Sigh...I have listed some things earlier that I make that does not have meat are listed. I would not eat something I consider a side without meat (or fish) though:
Pizza, most likely not unless we get some type of meat on it.
Spaghetti (any type-ravioli, cheese tortellini, manicotti, stuffed shells, fettucine alfredo...etc) alone with no meatballs and/or sausage with bread and a salad.
Breakfast for dinner
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 4:10pm

I'd live on fast food if I could afford it.

I see your other reasons why but fast food is cheaper than eating good.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2000
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 4:10pm

No, why? Beans and meat (other than as a flavoring) would be way too much protein.

Chris

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

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 4:12pm
Food Network is my channel when I can't find anything else on-lol!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 4:13pm
No, I don't *need* to have 3 separate sides but if I am making meat, I like to have a side and a veggie with it.

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