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: 04-16-2010
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 4:47pm
I couldn't tell you how much we spend on batteries.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 4:51pm
You can get 4 AA batteries at the dollar store for $1 but they are not as good as getting a better name brand, like Duracell.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2010
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 5:00pm

Okaaaay?


I'm sure that you can get lots of things at the Dollar store.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2003
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 5:06pm
Hey, that's a skit on Sesame Street-- have you seen it? It's Meal or No Meal based on that game show Deal or No Deal.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2003
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 5:15pm
I get Target coupons in the mail and we do buy a lot of stuff from Target. I've found though that usually when I have a coupon for something, either another brand is on sale and cheaper or the store brand is cheaper.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2007
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 5:16pm

We have no warehouse stores nearby. The area was built up in the 1950's and 1960's and then the bits here and there have been filled in over the 70's-10's. There is no space large enough for a big box in the price range they want. Space is expensive here.

I e-mailed Wegmans to try to get them to take over our icky Safeway, but they declined because it wasn't large enough. I think I am going to work on Whole Foods- it is a bigger space than they have nearby.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2000
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 5:30pm
I don't remember the exact price at Costco, but they have a similar deal to Sam's, where GAB always gets a hot dog combo for $1.87.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2000
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 6:16pm

"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.....?"

I don't get the paper; I read the local papers online. And those products that you listed that we use, I get at our local 99 cent store. Don't buy women products, paper towels, or paper napkins. Very seldom buy tissues.

Chris

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

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2009
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 6:19pm

You've bought into the advertising (and you would be wrong that they are most cost effective)

http://www.batterytruth.info/All.htm

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2006
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 6:27pm

yea, i woudln't doubt if eventually all big name grocers, dept stores like target and walmart have those saving programs.

 

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