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?

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 5:53pm

Another food tidbit I found. Ragu, yes Ragu sauce....


Ingredients: Tomato Puree (Water, Tomato Paste), Soybean Oil, Salt, Sugar, Dehydrated Onions, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Spices, Romano Cheese (Part-Skim Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt Enzymes), Natural Flavor.


All Ingredients are Natural or Naturally Derived.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 5:59pm
I budget $100/week but that does not include any spending money we have that we might spend on food and going out to eat also.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 6:00pm
No, and I have said that before. Tonight I am making spaghetti, no meat at all, bread and a salad.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2003
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 6:05pm
I didn't include money we might spend eating out.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 6:07pm
You do not use coupons? I use coupons with the regular food store, Costco, retail stores. While some might spend more, I might be getting more for my money.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2009
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 6:12pm

Coupons don't do me much good.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2003
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 6:13pm
No, I don't use coupons. Almost none of the food I buy has coupons with which to purchase it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2009
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 6:20pm
To tell the truth, the way you were asking questios I thought you might be looking for breastfeeding info or advice on introducing solid foods or something.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2009
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 6:21pm
Then why the repeated questioning, "No meat with the rice and beans"
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 6:32pm
Well, rice IS a startch, and others have already pointed out that they cook the beans with a variety of veggies.

Pages