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
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 2:29pm
I pay $100 for the year and will get back $150 or more (as I go there for more than just my regular food shopping). I have already gotten back $36 (as we purchased our TV here) and have only had the executive membership for 4 months.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2006
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 2:30pm
i had to ask my kid what IKR meant, typical stuff on her FB, LOL.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2006
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 2:32pm
i assumed that too.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 2:33pm
lol!! Funny you say birthday money as my birthday is this week :)
I only use 1 credit card which gives me money back also. My last card which was paid in full has given me $300 for my next vacation :)
The money we use to get our Costco membership each year is part of our budget.
I don't use "real" envelopes but I do have an envelope system going on for my budget and it has worked really well for us for the last 20 years :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2010
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 2:33pm
It might be. My inlaws (and all their friends that I know) live in long island area, so I don't know about the city. Maybe it's both.

“Clearly," said Arthur,"you're an idiot- but you're our kind of idiot. Come on.” 
― Markus ZusakThe Book Thief

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2007
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 2:33pm

So, you plan on spending almost $500 per month from here on out?

I couldn't find $500 to spend in a year at COSTCO, let alone every month. To each his own. We have two tvs and one was free with our cable.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2006
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 2:35pm
happy birthday.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 2:38pm
Do you get coupons in your weekly newspaper?
No toothpaste, mouthwash, women products, bandaids, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, soap, paper towels, toilet paper, napkins, tissues, aluminum foil, wax paper, ziploc bags, batteries.....?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 2:39pm
Most likely yes as I usually go about twice a month. I used to save a ton on diapers, wipes and formula when my kids were smaller.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 2:40pm
Thanks :) And yes, I got birthday money (gift) already :-)

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