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: 07-09-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 8:49pm

I've been doing 3 to 4 (4 this week) for years....even when I would shop for my Mom as a teenager jr and sr year.


I love to grocery shop!


Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2009
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 8:51pm

I'd rather go to the farmer's market this time of year for vegetables and fruits. It may be more bit more expensive (not much), but it's fresh, usually organic and I'm supporting local farmers.

Even I make my biscuits from scratch (and I am about one of the world's most disinterested homemakers).

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2009
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 8:51pm
bWAHAHAHAHAHHA!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 8:52pm

Oh, I love to grocery shop too but I would rather spend my time doing other things as I go on the weekends. I see no need to travel all over the place to save as much as I am spending in gas.


I shop at Costco and order my groceries online and have them delivered the other weeks. I love it as I don't lose an hour or more of my day shopping on a Saturday or Sunday.

Avatar for turtleemom
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2007
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 8:53pm

You're cooking 3 meals a day 7 days a week,

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2003
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 8:54pm
We don't usually do kidney beans (except for chili). It depends on what we have in the house. Black are always good. And Pinto and navy combined is a nice way to go.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 8:55pm

I prefer homemade biscuits but on nights dh cooks I want to make things as easy as possible for my sweetheart!


Our Farmer's Market is too far away from where I live or I'd utilize it.


Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-04-2009
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 8:58pm
ha! I yield :)

************

Kitty

Proud member of the Rainbow Poop Debate Squad

Meez 3D avatar avatars games

************

Kitty

"If you can't annoy somebody with what you write, I think there's little point in writing."-- Kingsley Amis, British novelist, 1971 t .

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 8:58pm

I do all my grocery shopping 1 morning a week, that is my big day out. Groceries then lunch then IF any other errands I do those that day if they don't get done they have to wait until next week so I prioritize.


I don't drive far to any place I go.

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Mon, 08-02-2010 - 9:00pm
Teenager is in band so whoever does pick up the other does supper so if he is cooking he comes home early to take care of that. I don't cook every time I go out with the girls. Most of the time I do but sometimes he will say please you go relax and have fun and I'll do all the cooking tonight.

Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

Pages