A Neat and Clean House vs Children
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| 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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toothpaste - we buy Tom's of Maine and it very rarely will have a coupon
mouthwash - nope
women products - yes, I haven't seen very many coupons for the brand I prefer.
Bandaids - yes, I buy them on sale and get it reimbursed
shampoo - Trader Joe's,
conditioner - whole foods brand
deodorant - yes
soap - yes, from Farmer's market
paper towels - I buy 100% post consumer recycled unbleached at whole Foods- We use about 6 rolls a year.
toilet paper - 7th generation- at Whole Foods
napkins - we use cloth napkins from wedding presents
tissues - Puffs Plus with Aloe only
aluminum foil - I buy about once every three years
wax paper - once every three years or so
ziploc bags - a box a year - we wash them and reuse them
batteries - we have the rechargable kind.
.....?
I believe I have said that I do use coupons occasionally. If I can find one that meets my needs.
I do get coupons in the newspaper and very few in the mail. We have signed up for the "no Junk Mail" option, so we get limited amounts of advertising. Which cuts down on our carbon footprint. I doubt I can get any coupons from my phone as I only use it for phone calls. I have used the internet to find coupons for historical houses and water parks.
I save money buy only buying what my family needs. So I don't need to scrounge for coupons for everything. If I can easily find one, I will use it.
I receive coupons by mail from my grocery through savings card based on what I buy so that is perfect. Then I can combine the store coupon w/a manufacturer coupon for more savings plus they send me a good amount o $ off meat, produce and dairy.
Then I get coupons in the weekly paper, more coupons in the mail and online.
I love my coupons.
I don't do warehouses for groceries (or cleaning supplies or hygeine products,e etc). I save more dollars my way for my stuff.
I save money buy only buying what my family needs.
Are you assuming that I don't because I am able to find coupons for many things?
Yes, we have been members for years (since my teenager was like 2 years old)
I save far more the way I shop plus I'd have to drive way out of the way compared to all my stores now being right close by for shopping day.
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